Our Love Story

One year.

12 months.

52 weeks.

365 days.

It's been a great year, and I've found myself reflecting a lot today, so I decided to share.  First of all, most of you probably already know that B and I dated casually for about a year before we actually became a couple.  During that time, we were both seeing other people.  Yes, I knew he was.  So for those of you who have made comments about how dumb I am for being played...I wasn't being played.  We both knew that we weren't exclusive.  Not that I owe any of you an explanation, but I figured I'd set the record straight.  I was not blind or oblivious to what was going on.

After 11 ish months of dating, and another 1-2 months of dating exclusively, Brandon made it official. 

How, you ask?  Let me tell you...

Last year, I surprised my best friend, Donna, by flying to Alaska for her birthday.  Her boyfriend paid for almost all of my ticket to get me there, and she was completely surprised when I showed up on her door step.  I was there for 5 days, from July 7 to July 11.

I flew home on Wednesday, July 11th, and Brandon picked me up from the airport.  During my layover in Seattle, we had been gchatting about whether or not he was going to a friend's house, or to my house, to wait after work for my flight to come in.  My roommate had been gone the same amount of time as me, so I asked him to turn on my a/c if he went to my house.

When he picked me up, he mentioned he had gone to the friend's house.  But to my surprise, my a/c was BLASTING when I got home.  So naturally, I was pissed.  I thought my roommate had left the a/c on for the last 5 days while no one was there!  So I walk into my bedroom to put my suitcases down, and BOOM!!!

There, on my hope chest, were a dozen BEAUTIFUL red roses, balloons, and a card.  Of course, I was immediately un-pissed.  I knew B had lied and he had been there to turn the a/c on himself.  He was anxious for me to read the card. He even picked it up and handed it to me with a quick, "Come on, read your card!"

I won't say too much about what was written, because it's private.  But the last line read, "So be with me...be my girlfraaaaan?"  Naturally, the tears started flowing and I said, "DUH!"  This was followed by some smooching and hugging and then Mexican food.  And the rest is history. 

It's been a year of bike riding, house-buying, fun-filled adventures.  And laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.  We have the most ridiculous inside jokes, and we crack each other up on a daily basis.  We support each other, we love each other, and we know "this is it."  We're not going to rush into marriage or babies, but we're happy together.  We know this is the real deal, so we work every day to keep our relationship solid.

I am grateful for him and his family, and the influence/impact he's had on my life.  I can't imagine where I could be today without having had the last 2+ years with him. 

Brandon, I love you. Cheers to our first official anniversary, and another cheers to 2 years of fun and excitement!  I can't wait to see what the next year brings us. 

"xoxo <3 toodles muah."