3 years

Two weeks ago, on the 14th, Matt and I celebrated the 3 year anniversary of our first, (and second), date. In honor of that, I thought I'd post about how we first met as well as a little bit of our story:

On Saturday the 12, my sister, Stewie, and I went to a country dance. While we were there, I noticed this cute guy with adorable puppy dog eyes checking me out. I kept glancing over and even smiled at one point. After what seemed like forever Matt came strutting over, (it's true-he struts), and finally asked me to dance. I said yes, but with the forewarning that I didn't really know how to dance. Apparently, he didn't mind how horrible I was, (and still am), since we continued dancing until they turned the lights on and kicked us all out. Before that though, as we were trying to talk while dancing, Matt asked me where I worked. When I told him he dropped my hands and stepped back from me! "You work at *****??" I was mortified! What was I supposed to do? So I said just that. "Should I go sit down now? or... did you want to keep dancing?" Luckily for him, ;-), he opted to keep dancing. We also discovered that we were both military brats, and had both lived in Germany at the same time, although in different places. After the dance was over, I gave him my phone number and headed home with my sister. I talked about "the guy who lived in Germany" the entire way home.

The next day, Sunday, Matt called me. We talked for a while and he asked me out to lunch for the next day. I said yes, and I think we exchanged email addresses. When he asked if he should come pick me up or if we should meet there I said it depended on if it was a date or not. If it was a date then he should pick me up. If we just just going as friends then I would meet him there. The next day he came to my work to pick me up for lunch with a red rose in hand; it was definitely a date. We went to Costa Vida and had a great time talking and getting to know each other. He asked me if I had plans for the night, and when I said no, invited me to come over for dinner.

The rest of the day we e-mailed back and forth, flirting the whole time. After work, I went to his house where he cooked dinner for me while I sat and watched. It was awesome! He made an appetizer of broiled slices of a french baguette, rubbed with garlic, and topped with swiss cheese. Next he served breaded pork chops, mashed potatoes... and something else. (It's been three years-I'm lucky to remember what I do!) He jokingly offered me wine, knowing that I didn't drink, and then served sparking apple cider, (he cooks and has a sense of humor!).

After dinner we had ice cream and watched Layer Cake. Once we were done with our ice cream Matt took our empty bowls into the kitchen. When he came back, without even thinking about it, I snuggled right up into him. It felt like the most natural thing to do. There was no awkwardness about it. I can't remember how the date ended, or what time I went home. I do know that we didn't kiss though. We saved that for a later date!

The first 11 months of dating were a struggle for us. We (I) went back and forth with what we (I) wanted. We stopped seeing each other several times, but it never stuck. I think the longest that we ever went without talking was a grand total of 2 weeks. After it was all said and done, we (I) just couldn't let go.

The first time Matt told me that he loved me doesn't really count but it's a funny story. He had broken his ankle and I went to the ER to be with him, (after the girl he was on a date with had left). They drugged him up before setting his leg, and he looked over at me and said, "I think I'm in love you with." After that, he pulled out his phone and starting texting me gibberish. Things like, "lKobmen kjh Tness." I don't have the original texts still, but you get the point. He was pretty high on whatever they gave him. I'm sure he doesn't remember telling me that, but it certainly got my wheels spinning. It took me a few months longer but we finally got on the same page.

Since then, we've been very happily in love. It's not to say that we don't have our struggles; we do. But the good far out-weighs the bad. Matt's wonderful to both Spencer and me. He's my best friend who I'm able to tell absolutely anything to, which I fully take advantage of, (even if it's just to gross him out). He's the guy who doesn't have a problem telling me if I need to go brush my teeth, or that I'm over-reacting and making a mountain out of a mole hill. He also doesn't have a problem telling me that he loves me or that he thinks I'm beautiful. He makes me laugh and fully appreciates my sense of humor. I simply don't have enough words to say how happy I am that we found each other and that even during the tough times, he didn't give up on me.

Matt's House

For those of you who haven't seen any photos of Matt's house go here. We've been busy putting up insulation in the garage and running speaker wire in a few places. It's been fun to get our hands dirty and feel like a part of it. He should be able to move in before Christmas. Yay for Matt.

Halloween

Here are some photos from Halloween. Matt did everyone's make-up, (well except for mine). He did an amazing job on both his and Spencer's make-up. Check it out: