Thursday, July 11, 2013

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."

Friday, July 5, 2013

Summer Nights!!

Tonight, is perfect.  It's a cool 70 degrees, there's a light breeze, and "all you need is a light jacket."  Hopefully someone gets that reference.

Brandon treated me to a movie tonight, World War Z.  It was....interesting.  Overall, a great movie.  But I imagine I'll be having nightmares for a few days.  I'm still a child about scary movies.  I cover my eyes at the suspenseful parts, and I squeeze B's hand when something jumps out and scares me.  Luckily, he's strong and brave so he protects me.

After the movie we headed to The Fountains for the First Friday Street Fair. It was 9:30 by the time we got there, so things were wrapping up, but the weather was too perfect to NOT be outside.  And now we're home, enjoying our free HBO in the home we've built together.

It's nights like this that make me so grateful for everything I've worked for, and everything we have.  I've had a lot of really emotional moments lately, just feeling so blessed and full of love.  Aunt Flow is probably on her way. It's the only logical explanation.  Plus the fact that I really do feel this way, I'm just not usually so emotional about it.  

But these Summer nights make me excited for so many things!

The California State Fair
Bike rides at sunset
BBQ's
Rafting down the river
Freshly shaved legs, almost daily
Patio drinking
Daylight savings time
Camping
Our anniversary next week!!!

And we're already more than half way to Christmas!!  The holidays are only a few months away.  My birthday, Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping, Christmas & New Years.  It'll be 2014 before we know it.  I'm obviously getting ahead of myself, but I'm a big ball of love right now, and I'm very excited.

All this excitement is making me hungry. Good night, God bless, and pay it forward. <3