Thoughts on Stuff

[Tonight's blog post is taken from the blog "Around the World in Katie Days." Yes, Kate gave me permission to steal it. No, I'm not just reposting this because she mentioned my story. She had me at "I was an illegal alien for four days." I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!]

"Thoughts on Stuff"

I was an illegal alien for four days.

A Wedding in Photos

Just had to share these photos from Mitch and Vanessa's wedding this weekend at Red Prime Steakhouse in Oklahoma City. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

Their wedding logo in an ice sculpture

Dessert Bar!

Diamonds are a girl's best friend. And they make great table toppers. 

How freakin cute is this?

The first dance :)

Sapphire is the new diamond!

Your Stories: Prince Charming - Crown + Cowboy Hat

This email made my heart smile :) Especially when I picture the cowboy as Garrett Hedlund from Country Strong. Holy beautiful.




Whitney, 
I had an overwhelming desire to e-mail you after reading your blog quite litterally from start to finish in about a week or so. I think my employers would be really impressed to know how efficiently and quickly I can get my work done when I set my mind to it. Most days I hammered out a days worth of work in about three hours and spent the remaining five hours absorbed in the story of you and Cayden. And I had to share my story with you. Its new, and I don't know where fate is going to take us, but after reading your story, I am confident that fairytales are real, that love happens in the most unexpected places, and that I am willing to give my fairytale with my prince charming a fighting chance.


I don't know why I decided to go out that night. I spent most of my early twenties closing down various bars with my girlfriends, and after a year or two of it, all the Friday (And thursday, and saturday, and sometimes even Wednesday) nights started to feel a bit, redundant. I started to think I was meeting the same men over and over again, and once I started being recognized as a regular at a few choice bars, I guess I made an unconscious decision to change venues in my search for Mr. Right. So, then I met a boy at school, so NATURALLY he had to be the one right? Wrong. So, so wrong. Then I met a boy at a bar-b-que, and he was handsome, sweet and had a good job. Soul-mates, obviously. Wrong again.  Needless to say, the night I met my cowboy was one of the first times I had been out with my girlfriends in a LONG time. It very well might have been the first night I went out with my girlfriends just for the sake of going out with my girlfriends. I had already sworn off meeting a man in a bar, and I was no where near in a position I was looking to start a new relationhship. So there I was, at a Country Western bar wearing my most comofortable and worn out boots, that just so happened to be an ex from the one that I broke up with for no other reason than my heart wasn't fluttering the way I felt it should. And I felt free, I was laughing harder than I'd ever laughed, I was dancing and saying yes to the old men who really just wanted to swing dance. And then I saw him. And I stared until my friend glanced over at what I was staring at so intently and said "He's cute. Go talk to him for me."

Okay, sure, why not? I'm high on life right now, forgot how much fun it is to just be a 24 year old girl out having fun with her friends. In hindsight, I knew going over there that there would be no talking to this cowboy for anyone else. And being the really good friend I am, I just went with it. A, if you're reading this, and I haven't told you sorry, I am really sorry for the rest of this story. Except I am not sorry, I am oh so thankful that I am getting to write the story of us, but I do feel a tiny bit bad for telling you I'd go talk to this guy for you when in reality, all I was thinking about were how blue his eyes were and how cute he looked in his cowboy hat. I can't speak for any one else, but as for me, the prince charming in my dreams has ALWAYS, always been weariing a cowboy hat and boots. And for all you really great guys I dated who were so far from cowboys its not even funny,  and eventually broke up with, I am sorry to you too. Because I was trying really hard to not be shallow, to not write someone off because they didn't wear their boots to church. But Trace Adkins isn't lying when he says that ladies (this lady) love country boys. I always knew the kind of man I would end up with would know how to ride a horse, would spend his time doing man things like hunting and fishing, and would let me decorate my house with as many horeshoes, old ladders and rustic stars as my little heart desired. Now you're probably wondering if I was so attracted to him just because he looked like a cowboy. And you'd be right, that is what caught my eye initially. But then he opened his mouth and had the cutest accent I've ever heard. And for the rest of the night, I didn't hear anything anyone else said. It was me, and this beautiful blue eyed boy. I can't really tell you what we talked about all night, but I do remember sending him on a hunt for a pen and told him to remember my phone number until he found one.  But when the lights suddenly turned on and they called last call and he walked me outside, he asked to see me again. I decided at that moment that I was glad to have finally met that fairytale cowboy prince I always was looking for, but I'd probably never see him again. I met him in a bar for crying out loud. And did I mention he traveled , and was only home about once a month? I don't DO long distance. When he asked for my number, I told him to call me the next time he was in town, and when he said he wanted to call me the next day I thought "yeah, sure, whatever. Call me. I don't date boys in bars, but you can call me."

For someone who says she wasn't planning on ever seeing this handsome stranger again, I caught myself checking my phone frequently the next day. And when a number showed up that I didn’t' recognize on my iPhone, I just sat there and stared at the screen. I knew it was him, but didn't know whether or not I should answer it. What would I say? I knew that if I spent any more time with him, I might actually like him. And I promise you that I really didn't want to like anybody on this particular day. I had just started to enjoy the freedom that came with being single, and quite honestly wasn't up for the cruel world of dating again. I was perfectly content with spending nights with my dog, Tillamook Cake Batter ice cream, and re-runs of Greys Anatomy. I decided that now wasn't a good time for me to even entertain the idea of a relationship so I let the call go to voicemail.
 
And then I tried going about my day. I was busy that day, and tried to think about anything but the tall, handsome cowboy with the bright blue eyes. And when I finally got home, I couldn't talk myself out of seeing him. So I called him back, and when he asked if he could take me to dinner, I panicked. You'd think I hadn't been on a date in all my 24 years, because I felt myself get hot as I worried about what to wear, what we'd talk about, who would pay, if he'd try to kiss me or not. Should I invite him in? But wasn't that a tad bit, suggestive? "Sure," I said. Immediately after getting off the phone I thought to myself all the reasons why I couldn't go on a date with this guy. And how maybe he'd just be a great friend. He was new to the area, and I really liked my boys that were friends. I could always use another friend of the male gender. So I told him to scratch the dinner idea, and instead we planned on ordering in. "I'll bring the wine!" I said. Wine is always a good idea.
 
I went, we drank, we talked, we laughed. And when he asked if he could kiss me goodnight like a perfect gentleman, I told him no. And when he asked to see me again the next night, he didn't ask me if he could kiss me. Instead, in the middle of cooking dinner in the kitchen he stood as close as he could to me, leaned down and took my face in his hands and kissed me softly as he reached down, picked me up and sat me on the counter kissing me less soft like and more "I can't get enough of you" like. And with that one kiss, I knew I was a goner.
 
That was 39 days ago. Since then we've exchanged over 100 emails to get us through the two week periods he spends out of town working. We've spent a total of two weeks together in person, and I've never felt more sure of anything in my life. This is its own kind of challenging. Sure, two weeks is nothing in comparison to two or three months of distance, but it’s enough to make me crazy. 
 
But now I know there's hope. And that anything worth having is worth the wait, right? That if you and your guy from the bar can make something work from two different countries, then we can make this work too. Reading your blog has been such a refreshing look at long distance relationship. Thanks for your honesty, for letting us go down this journey to happily ever after with you. I hope that my story too has as happy as an ending as yours. Although, your story is just really beginning. 


Brittany

"Small things done with great love change the world."

Your Stories: A Man's Perspective

I'm excited to say I got my first email from male reader this weekend! It kind of made my day. Anyway, he has some great questions in here, and I'm looking to your guys to help with some advice. Here goes:

Hello Whitney,

I was curious, do you ever get any emails from guys regarding your blog? If you haven't, you are now.

I'm a guy in my 20s having a lot of trouble with the ladies during my life and stumbled across your blog while surfing the internet looking for advice articles. As somewhat of a creative writer myself, I appreciate good stories and yours is, simply put, amazing. The details you use really seem to bring it to life. I have read almost every single "chapter" and quite frankly, I am not only amazed, but suprised bordering on shocked as well. I have never heard of any "normal" every day ladies such as yourself willing to disclose such personal, intimate, or sexually explicit details like you divulged in your blog.

So now that you know I am a guy, I was wondering what you think of guys who read stories such as yours? I think of myself as a hopeless romantic and your story is just about as romantic as it gets. I'm also a sensitive guy and not afraid to admit it either. Unfortunately though, these characteristics don't seem to be playing to my advantage with women. Also unfortunately, growing up with a sensitive single mother, that's all I learned how to be. I'm drastically behind when it comes to flirting, and even further behind in the looks department. Finally, my social awkwardness is off the charts. I try my best to project a strong, confident aura when I'm around women with little to no results.

One day I hope to win a young lady's heart like Cayden won yours. Until then, I will continue to read your story while I keep trying.

Best of luck!

---

Do you have advice for him? Can you relate? Know someone who does? Please comment below!

Your Stories: Danielle and Derek Pt. 4

I heard she broke up with him a week later, something about not being right together. Still I couldn't get over it.

At this point, you’re probably all wondering why I still have feelings for my ex, when it’s clear he is a poser toolbox. Well unfortunately that poser toolbox was my first love. And during our relationship he didn’t lead me on, put me down or try to conspire against me, not until the end. I guess I just couldn’t stop thinking that he would change back to the person he used to be; the nice, funny, friendly guy. Part of me knew he never would change back, but sometimes it’s just too hard to let go.

It wasn't until my brother, who is a couple years younger than me, went out to dinner with me a few weeks after the burnt rubber incident. We were talking about everything like we always do and he was telling me about how one of my close friends had dated the ex behind my back a few weeks back. I was shocked. That was a low blow. I confided to this particular friend everything he had done to me. She also worked at Cowboy Town, but it didn’t even seem like they interacted. My brother thought I knew because everyone was talking about it at Cowboy Town.

While still at the restaurant, I texted her, “Did you date the ex?” She immediately got mad at me for not being over him. She didn’t even deny that it happened. Instead, she took the defense and blamed me for making her feel guilty about it.

That sick feeling came back real fast and it was stronger than ever. She wasn’t the first friend the ex tried to steal, but he succeeded in the worst way with her. I felt betrayed. The more my brother and I talked about it, the more that sick feeling seeped away, and something amazing happened. I was over it. Over him. Just like that. After months of trying and failing to move on. Maybe I wasn’t completely over him, but I was miles past where I had been before. I wasn’t thinking about how I could get him back, I was thinking about how I could leave him behind.

About a week later one of my close friends and I went out for her 21st birthday. Her mom dropped us off at the bar so we could do her 21st right. We walked in and ordered a drink. This was a big modern bar that had karaoke, a dj and a dance floor; the perfect recipe for a memorable 21st. Before we even got our drinks a guy carrying a bucket of beers came up to our table. He plopped his bucket of beers down and told us his friends were late and that we looked like good company. I smell another creeper.

I immediately told him our names and that we were celebrating my friend’s 21st. He got excited and ordered us a round of shots. The first round of eight. I didn’t even know some of these shots existed. The lemon drop? The rumple minze shot? Around the second shot a few of his friends showed up and joined our table.

By the third round I was texting away on my phone. Whenever I have a drink or two I text. I was happily typing away to Don, Tony, and Derek and to my absolute horror they were at the ex's house.

Wtf. They were my friends. They didn't even talk to him besides at work. For some reason I was the angriest at Derek. I remember asking him ‘why?! I thought you liked me’.

Five shots later I texted the ex and told him to stop stealing my friends. My heart was breaking. I wish I would have said nothing because I’m sure he enjoyed knowing that he was hurting me.

Sensing my frustration, my friend grabbed my arm and pulled me up for a horrible karaoke rendition of ‘Waking up in Vegas’. Normally we can both sing, but boozed, not so much.

Todd was clearing trying to get in my pants and I bluntly told him I was only looking for friends. Poor boy never had a chance. He played along hoping I would change my mind. He looked over, enviously, at my friend and his friend getting mighty cozy.

Eight shots and two girly drinks later my friend was feeling it. I followed her to the ladies room and held her hair as we both tried not to fall in the toilet. Memorable 21st indeed.

The bill came. Or Todd’s bill, he’d been ordering round after round of shots so the waitress put all the shots on his tab. $180 of shots for the whole table. I think I high-fived her when Todd wasn’t looking.

Outside, Todd was desperately trying to get me to come home with him. But luckily my friend’s mom pulled up and all he had was his number in my phone and hopes that I would call him.

I never called. I still kind of feel bad about it. I mean he did spend $180 bucks on shots. But then, I did tell him a million times I was not looking for anything but a friend.

A few months later, I learned that Derek only went to the ex’s house because he wanted to know why the ex broke up with me. Derek's last gf was a horrible cheater and didn’t want to be hurt like that again.

When he asked the ex why he broke up with me and the ex told Derek that he was bored with me. He wanted to see if he could get someone better than me. Luckily, Derek thought he was a complete tool box, but said that even though he talked this way my pictures still adorned his walls. Creepy.

This might seem a little strange that Derek would go through such a length to learn more about me, but the way he worded it was so cute. “You just seemed so perfect I couldn’t imagine anyone not wanting to be with you. So I figured it must have been something horrible! But no, he’s just a jackass.”

I still wasn't sold on Derek. Now I was over the ex, I knew Derek liked me and I definitely felt something for him but I didn't know what. I was also still held back because I felt like I didn’t have anything to offer. I was boring remember?

It wasn't until the next weekend that things clicked into place. Derek invited me, Tony and Don to go watch him race his car at the race track. So we all made the hour drive and brought along Tony's gf Allie. People at Cowboy Town called her mini me because we looked like sisters.

We walked into the stadium as cars were spewing dirt around the track and hundreds of people were shouting and screaming. Through the crowd, I could see his gorgeous blond locks and that bright blue shirt I loved so much. He waved and smiled at us and started walking over.

Your Stories: Danielle and Derek Pt. 3

One day after work a bunch of us decided to go to IHOP, the restaurant that should only be allowed to cook pancakes. Outside the restaurant, Don was telling me how Derek liked my friend Jessica. She’s a good friend of mine who also happens to be the sister of my ex. I was a little jealous but I didn't even think I liked the guy, and Jessica didn’t have any interest in him. Jessica and I paired up critiquing him, obsessing over some of his strange qualities.

Like the fact that he originally ordered a hamburger and Jessica told him that he couldn’t order a hamburger at the international house of pancakes so he changed his order. And the fact that he insisted he drive his car, a ‘95 black Camaro, even though he and Don carpooled and he had to go back to his house to get it. Derek tried too hard to impress her and we found it hilarious.

The entire night he was a little puppy dog trying to make her happy. Although, when I was waiting to pay and everyone else had gone outside, Derek came back in and waited with me. We talked a little bit about random things. Then we all went to his house, which was huge by the way. We saw his horses and his huge house. Neither Jessica nor I are impressed by material things and at that moment it seemed like he was trying to impress us with his family’s wealth.

As work went on, Derek and I had a few moments to talk and we really just flowed. We had inside jokes just from the few times we interacted. I saw nothing of the person who had been a little puppy dog and more of the person who was funny, smart, and adorable.

Still I denied liking him. Especially, with those lingering feelings for my ex. The ex, who by the way was still around, trying to decide if he liked me or not, all the while hanging out with lots of other girls.

One night the ex was especially unbearable. One of my good friends, Jennifer, invited me to her boyfriend’s house for a huge bbq. The two of us were always hosting parties; we had a murder mystery party, a pajama party and a game night earlier that summer, so of course I jumped at the chance to help her prepare food for the bbq. A bunch of her boyfriend’s friends came that I didn’t know. And I rode to the party with Jennifer’s sister Nichole and her sister’s husband.

One of her boyfriend’s friends was following me around that night trying to get my number, and I found out later that he was engaged, shady business.

Around 11pm a bunch of us were in the living room when my ex came storming in with a girl and a guy acting like they owned the place. I looked helplessly at Jennifer as he introduced himself and his friends to everyone in the room, everyone but me. Then he turned to Jennifer and said, “Wow Jennifer I didn’t know this was your party. Someone told me you were hosting it and I was like ‘Really? But there’s no lights or music that’s so lame!’” And then he laughed like the poser he is.
Who invited him? I will never know. But still. Nichole doesn’t like him either and was like ‘Let’s bounce’. Sweet freedom.

Besides that guy at the party I think I attracted about 12 other creepers that summer. Not only did I feel like I had nothing to offer in a relationship I was being pursued by these overly persistent, stalker guys. Awesome.

Back at work, everyone was talking about me and Derek. That place was like wildfire, every piece of gossip spread at lightning speed. So of course everyone knew Derek liked me and they were constantly asking me about it hoping for a bit of new info. I just kept repeating that I was not interested. After being so empty for so long I just didn’t think I had anything to offer anyone else.

Besides the IHOP night I hadn’t even interacted with Derek outside of those brief moments at work. One day after work, I was feeling particularly free and stayed in the parking lot to chat with Derek and another friend who worked as the blacksmith. Eventually, Derek asked for my number. I told him that I didn't really like to talk on the phone, but I texted all the time. He said ‘yeah no problem’.

I was unexplainably giddy all the way home. A few months later, he told me that he just wanted to talk to me, so even though he didn't really have a texting plan, he bought a texting phone just so he could get to know me better. I thought that was adorable, but was super glad he hadn’t told me that to begin with.

A few days later after a few texts back and forth, while I was still on the fence, he asked me to come over. I was in the middle of a drive somewhere in farm fields, probably thirty minutes away. I drove to waste my time, driving fast up and down the winding roads of the country; one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I took a corner as I contemplated if I should go.

He told me not to worry, Don and Tony, our other friends, would be there too. So I said sure, even though I was getting a bit of a strange vibe from him. So I pop over to his house, and it's dark by the time I get there. The four of us are talking and Derek asks me if I ever watched True Blood, I say no, and he asks if I want to watch it. I was thinking, you know, sometime we'll watch it. Nope. Next thing I know I'm being whisked into his bedroom and he's putting on True Blood, sans Don and Tony because he can only have one person inside at a time.

At this point I'm a little nervous, but I figure hey I have nothing to lose. Plus I'm this guy's boss. The hour long graphic, violent, and over sexed episode passes and he didn't even touch me. I was kind of amazed. Even though it was obvious that he wanted to know me better. He didn't pressure me or try to make a move. Although I was a little scared by being whisked inside his house so suddenly and alone, I was impressed that he didn't try anything.

Still I'm hung up on the ex and I know it. He's always sending me mixed signals. I think it was around this point he says he wants to hang out with me again and tells me how beautiful I looked in some outfit. And I fall back to all those feelings again, after I had worked so hard to push them away.

I was already going shopping that particular night with the ex’s sister. The ex found out and invited himself and his sister's bf. Or so I think. I get to their house and there's this other girl there. I'm thinking she must be one of their friends; she looked like she was fifteen. The ex wants to drive, kind of ironic, because he didn't have a car all the while we were dating and I drove him everywhere. So we all hop in his car and as the shopping trip goes on the more apparent it is that this fifteen year old is my ex's new gf.

I felt sick and trapped since he had driven. He knew how I felt, and I just couldn't believe he'd be so cruel. In the parking lot, the ex didn't want to drive home; he wanted to sit in the back and mack with his underage gf, so I offered to take the wheel desperate to get back so I could leave. I drove like a maniac, like a NASCAR racer on steroids. As soon as we pulled in the smell of burnt rubber was harsh from pressing the brakes so hard. He deserved it.

I jumped in my car and left.

Your Stories: Danielle and Derek Pt. 2

Standing in the saloon with a clip board in one hand and a walkie-talkie in the other, I made up some story about how Don was going to have to work “80 hours a week from now on because we so short-handed”. Not even thinking about how that sounded to Don, but we were always shorthanded. Don said it would be no problem. He was looking at me hopefully, like he thought I was trying to spend more time with him. I felt a little guilty for saying that. I truly was just making conversation hoping this sexy guy would notice me.

I walked out of the Saloon’s double doors saying, “Too bad they don’t let you guys have over-time.”

Once I was back out on the board walk, it was back to business. I was power walking back up to the front to get more prizes for the shooting gallery in the back. My employees always told me that it didn’t even look like I was stepping, I walked so fast that it looked like I was gliding. I walked past Jon at the kiddie-carts. Kids pedaled, what looked like one car trains, with their hands around a mini rail-road track.

Jon was one of the nicest kids I ever met, but he was super hyper. Always. He told me he had ADHD, but I don’t think that accounts for all the pent up energy.

“POCAHONTAS!!! Where are you going?!” He bellowed.
“Hahaha just grabbing some more prizes.”
He called me Pocahontas because I alternated between cowboy boots and these mahogany brown boots that had fringe down the sides, apparently like the Indian princess. And boy, did he love to shout it from across the park.

I kept speed-walking up to the main building. I always carried my phone with me so the employees could contact me faster if something happened. Today all the girls were texting back and forth about this sexy, sexy guy. One of the pony girls in particular was really riled up, I was reading her text that said, “Give me one of him, an empty room and I could think of lots of things to do with him.” Just as I was chuckling I heard someone call my name in that horrible sing-song, fake voice I hated.

It was the evil granddaughter. “Do you have the schedule figured out for next week yet?”

Of course I do, I only make it two weeks in advance every week. “Yeah it’s posted in the break room.”

“Do you have enough help?” Behind her eyes I could tell she was waiting for me to say no, so that she could run to Daddy and tell him what a horrible job I was doing.

“Do you?!?!” I thought sarcastically.

She was supposed to be managing 5 days a week, while I was in the show, but she was constantly asking me to cover for her so it turned into me working 5 to 6 days a week while she worked 1, 2 if she felt like it. Especially now that she had met George, she was keen on calling in. George was some guy she went to high school with that she re-met at a bar. And now they’re “in love”. I would believe it more if she didn’t still throw herself at every guy in sight.

“Yeah I’m good.” Not actually true, but I’d rather work three stations by myself than let her know that. “Awesome! We should totally hang out sometime!” Over my dead body. “Yeah that would be cool.” I took to answering but never actually making plans, it worked out best.

She went skipping off to lay on the stunt mats in the show arena with my ex, no doubt. She’s the type of person who will be super nice to your face and be wielding an ax to your back when you turn around. The worst part was that she saw nothing wrong with this, and felt like you shouldn’t either. I shuddered. That was one girl who had being two-faced down to a science. She didn’t even skip a beat between grilling me on the schedule and telling me would should hang out, and she did it all with her fake smile and her fake sing-song voice.

About an hour later I ran in Don and sexy Derek in the ice cream parlor. This time Derek asked me for an application, which I got. Now I was getting excited, I might see this guy more often, although I honestly didn’t know why I was excited. I don’t even go for blondes. The ex was an artsy emo type, with dark hair. The ex was about 6’, wore skinny jeans and weighed a whopping 165lbs, still slightly muscular but mostly skinny. Derek, on the other hand, weighed at least 180, was about 5’ 10” and looked like he could break the ex in half, but maybe that was some of his appeal.

I got two days off a week. He happened to start while I was gone, then he was gone when I got back. I had all but forgotten about him when I saw him again. I stuck him on an easy station and at the end of the day I had hardly talked to him, my job was very intense and I was always busy. He was putting his station away which requires closing up the doors of the carnival game. I accidentally walked in on him with his hand in his pants.

I thought this was hilarious. "Couldn't wait til you got home?"

He looked up at me, his face turned a little pink, and he said defensively, "I'm just tucking my shirt in!"

"You need your hand in your pants for that?" and the game went on.
Flash forward to the next day, still hadn't really talked to him, he was putting away a different station and again I caught him with his hand in his pants. Back to our game, it was a riot.

During this time my inseparable guy friend was leaving for college. I went to his going away party, at which he tried to ask me to be his girlfriend. I say tried because I saw it coming from a mile away. He walked me to my car and asked me if he could ask me something. Panic seeped into my veins as I said no.

He was confused and I said I'm sorry I'll miss you while you’re gone while staring intently at the ground with my back to him. I couldn't bear the thought of losing his friendship. I was being selfish, and I knew it. I hopped in my car and shut the door without even looking at him.

I knew inseparable guy friend so well but still I just couldn’t make myself feel that way about him. I tried, I kept thinking I should at least give him a chance, but I just wasn’t attracted to him like that. I have no idea why. I could talk to him for hours, but he was just a friend.

Fighting back tears, I left and we kept in contact by texting never mentioning that night. A couple weeks later, I eventually broke down and told him I just couldn't date him, or anyone for that matter. I said I just felt like I didn’t have anything left to give, which was true, but it wasn’t the entire reason why I didn’t want to date him. I didn't want to hurt him by saying outright that I didn't feel that way about him, but I wish I would have.

Your Stories: Danielle and Derek Pt. 1

Our story is probably just like any other fairytale beginning, the only difference is it's mine.

During the summer of 2009 I was working as the manager of a Cowboy Amusement Park. Yes, that means we were all dressed up as cowboys, I was the rough and tumble twenty-one year old who had worked her way up to being in charge of the whole park. I loved that park every day of every summer. I loved all of my employees and I like to think they really liked me too, we were all so close, good friends. We all worked full time during the summer, and after work we'd all hang out.

One of my close friends that summer, Don, had a hard core crush on me and I knew it. But I ignored it because I loved his friendship, greedily so. That was the summer of attracting every wrong guy within a twenty mile radius. At the time I had thought that any guy was the wrong guy because I just couldn't seem to get over my ex.

He was my first love, innocent and intense, we had broken up about a year before, in August '08 because he said he didn't love me anymore, at the time I overanalyzed everything I had done trying to pin-point the reason I lost him. I let myself become wrapped in the pain of being alone, and the pain of screwing up what I thought was the best thing I ever had. I always blamed myself.

Looking back, I realize it's just the bullshit guys tell you when they want to see what else is out there. At the time, I was crushed, and he strung me along for months afterward.

Unfortunately, he also happened to work at Cowboy Town with me, and he was furious that I had been made manager over him, which I secretly found gratifying. In an effort to forget about him I had practiced gun spinning. Once I perfected throwing five pound guns over my shoulders and around my back, I auditioned for the cowboy stunt show that was put on for customers. To my amazement I was chosen. For two months I played a gun slinging cowgirl which also infuriated him as he had to watch me everyday. His job was to provide all the sound and prepare the set for each show.

He tried everything to make my life a living hell, and almost succeeded with the help of the evil granddaughter of the owners. She was a year older than me, and just wanted to take me out. She tried to steal my job as manager and she even attempted to take my part in the show. Luckily to no avail, but it doesn't mean she didn't try everything she could to try and show anyone and everyone that she would be a better choice. She even used the fact that I still had feelings for my ex against me. I heard she tried to sleep with him while he was completely trashed. She was just that classy. She also snuck into his house slipped on one of his shirts and waited in his bed for him to come home. Can you say psycho? My employees hated her, with a passion. They guarded me against her, and I them. It was beautiful.

I made many wonderful friends that summer; one of them was especially interesting. He was working as a cashier in one of the shops. He was hilarious and easy to talk to. Until he asked me out, I was completely taken off guard and responded with, "Hahaha… no…what?." VERY NERVOUS LAUGH. But still, I laughed, and I felt horrible. It took two weeks to repair that damage, but after we were inseparable. I had explained to him that I didn't want to date, I only wanted friends, it was all I was capable of after being emotionally bulldozed. He said he understood. We went shopping together, watched movies together and he even came with me when I had the urge to go check out an abandoned, haunted boy scout camp; we were the best of friends.

Or so I thought. All of my other friends kept telling me he was in love with me, but I didn't listen because I needed his friendship so badly. He didn't exactly make me an ‘in-love’ happy, but he definitely made me forget about the big gaping hole that had been gorged into my chest. I was content when I was with him. But I didn't love him, and I tried. I tried to grow to love him, but I just couldn't. Again I thought that I was just incapable of ever being with someone ever again.

Then one day Don brought his friend and his friend's little 3 year old brother into Cowboy Town on his day off. I had heard Don talk about his 'sexy beast' friend before but I highly doubted that long haired, laid back, hippie-Don had a sexy friend.

I still remember exactly where I was in the park when I first saw him. I was coming up from the back of the park just crossing the railroad tracks when I looked over about 100 yards away and saw a very handsome guy in a bright blue shirt and a beautiful head of curly blonde hair. I remember thinking 'wow from here that guy does look FINE!'

Then I forgot about him and went back to my need-to-finish-a-million-things-at-once mindset. About an hour later I was walking through the Saloon when I saw Don again, and his sexy friend. This time I saw him closer. My heart started beating faster, first time since my break up with an ex that I even found another guy attractive. He had the most adorable three year old boy with a moppy head of even brighter curly locks with him. Don introduced me to Derek and his younger brother Tristan. Phew he was no baby daddy.

Your Stories: If at first you don't succeed...

Whitney I have been following your blog for about six months now. I too am a sooner fan from the DFW area. This story about my fairytale dates back before I stepped foot in Norman, Oklahoma. This one is really short and sweet, probably not one that is going to bring tears to your eyes or anything I am a in a nutshell kind of person. However, you and Cayden's story made me realize what had been in my life all along so I feel the need to share it with you.

I was graduating from Carroll high school. Part of a fairly large graduating class, both guys that were seated next to me I had never met before even after attending the same high school. The guy to my left, Daniel, was a little strange but it intrigued me. We spent the time at project graduation (where they lock all the graduated seniors in so they don't get in trouble on graduation night) flirting. I slipped his phone in my back pocket and ran off and told him he couldn't have it back until I got his phone number. The next day I left for New York City (my graduation present from my parents) , but truthfully I was more interested in the text messages Daniel was sending than what I was going to buy at bloomingdale's. When I returned home from my trip we immediately started dating.

The summer was spent on the back of jet skis and at lake houses. It was almost too perfect. August rolled around and I knew I would be leaving for Oklahoma soon and he would be going to Stephenville, Texas. Only three hours away. The day I left I cried the entire two and half hour drive from Colleyville, Texas to Norman, Oklahoma, You know that drive isn't all that great to begin with. We only managed to last two months apart. Neither of us was emotional ready to take on the distance despite how short that distance was. I cried for weeks.

Through out college I dated several guys to no avail. Daniel was always in the back of my mind, despite our short relationship, it was perfect. But him and I no longer spoke and he had recently purposed to another girl. So i did my best to clear my mind of him. After graduating from OU I moved back in with my parents in Colleyville. Daniel living only living several miles away in a neighboring town we began speaking again. Things had falling through with his fiance with a rough split between the two and I was still mending a broken heart from a previous relationship.

We have been dating since december and I have never felt more in love or more comfortable in a relationship. It only took five years of growing up from the both of us. I never once expected for us to end up together again I guess the world just has a funny way of working things out.

Lets just say I don't expect you to post this, but I just wanted to let you know Whitney that I follow you and Cayden on Twitter. I have never been more inspired by a couple willing to work through the tough times in order to be together. So thank you for giving all us out there that inspiration.

I can only imagine what would have happened had Daniel and I been strong enough at the time to attempt a long distance relationship ( No matter how short the distance). Unfortunately the road ahead for Daniel and I looks rough as I wish to pursue a career in the foreign service taking me away from the United States for quite some time....Hopefully he can join me in the future though, and I am glad to have proof in front of me that long distance is possible and that you can make it work. Thank you Whitney.


Kati

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Your Stories: One time, at Church Camp...

Eric and I first met at church camp in 1997-I was 17, his counselor; and he was 12, my camper. I knew his sister, who is my age, so that was what caught my attention at first. Since we were from a fairly small town, we seemed to run into each other throughout the years. We even communicated by writing letters when I was in college and he was in high school. We sent each other graduation cards/gifts, and randomly just kept in touch for the next 7 years.

After I graduated from college, I moved back home to live with my parents, and to take care of my dad, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. That same year, ironically enough, Eric graduated high school, was offered scholarships and opportunities to run cross country and attend college at his 'dream school', but he declined so that he could stay home and safe money and help take care of his dad, who had been recently hurt on his job.

I hadn't seen him in a while, but I knew he worked at the same bank with my friend Kristy. When my dad passed away, he sent a plant, and I had gone to the bank to deliver a thank you note to him through the drive-thru. Funny thing was, I had gone with my friend Amy, who just couldn't wait for me to see her 'favorite teller', whom she thought was cute but was probably way too young for us. Well, I bet you can't guess who that teller was!!

Shortly after that, in the summer of 2005, I started hanging out with Eric, and my friend Kristy. Eric asked me to go back to that same church camp where we met, to be a sponsor for a large group he was taking that summer. It was there that our relationship truly started blossoming. Though it wasn't romantic at first, I began to see things in him that I admired and that I wanted in a husband. Not long after that, we started dating.

I knew that he was 'the one' for me sometime that fall, but the Lord didn't reveal it to him until earlier that next spring. We dated for about 6 months before getting engaged-though I wasn't quite sure if he liked me or not-ha!! But I knew how much I liked him. I went to Germany in July 2006, and missed him terribly while I was gone. I knew that I didn't want to go another day without him when I returned. Little did I know that he was proposing to me when he picked me up from that trip at the airport! We were engaged on July 16,2006 and got married that following year on February 17,2007.




We have been married for almost 4 years now, and they have truly been the bessed and most blessed years of my life. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I am so thankful for such an awesome, Godly husband-I am truly blessed! I love him more than words can say. I spend each day of my life thanking God for all He has given me, and trying not to take for granted all the blessings He has given me. The Lord's timing and His plans and provisions are truly amazing!


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Your Stories: "He is my fairytale."

Whitney,
I started reading your blog a few months ago, and I am sincerely hooked. There are such things as happily ever afters, even if there are some bumps in the road. I'm not sure I have ever completely written out this story, but I guess there is a first time for everything. I am definately not as articulate as you, but I will do my best to give justice to my story.

It was July of 2000, and I was 18 years old when I met my fairytale man. I lived in Mississippi at the time and he lived in Ohio. (Not Texas to England, but hey! It's was far enough!) My Dad had been asked to preach at some friends church in Ohio. My family decided to take a two week vacation to Ohio and then to Indiana to visit our family. Who knew that trip would change my life?

When we arrived at the home of the Pastor, he immediately began telling me about this guy at his church. I would just roll my eyes and change the subject. I was dating someone, although, it was at the rocky edge of falling off a cliff. I didn't want to hear about another guy when I knew that my heart was on the verge of breaking in half. All night, our friends family kept saying, "Wouldn't she be amazing with him? I know they are meant for each other! The would just fit so perfectly." I would laugh, roll my eyes, and very nicely TRY and change the subject.

My family walked into the church the next morning. My sister and I sat on the third row with my mom and 8 week old baby sister. And then I saw him. My sister turned to me and said, "Please please tell me THAT IS THE GUY they were talking about??? He is FINNNNNEEEEEE!!!" I couldn't stop staring. He was adorable. Dark brown hair, almost black, and these amazing brown eyes. He was dressed to the T. Wouldn't you know that all the young people came and introduced themselves to us, except him. I was so disappointed.

Later I found out that after church, that boy went to his sister and BEGGED her to introduce him to my sister and me. So, she, being her sneaky self, went to the pastor and had him introduce us. If you could've seen the smile on that man's face and he introduced Brandon to me. We spent most of the day together, with our sisters tagging along.

To make a very long story shorter, in March of 2001 we were engaged to be married, and in July of 2002, I married Brandon. And here we are 8.5 years later with a beautiful marriage, 2 beautiful kids, and a wonderful life that will only get better. I love that man. And despite the distance and the hard times, and the horrible bumps we've been through, I wouldn't trade one moment with him. He is my fairytale.

Thanks for listening,
Amber




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Your Stories: There's Life in Death

Hello!

First off, I want to say how much I LOVE your blog! My sister Katie showed it to me when I saw her over Christmas and I read it all up to date in a day, and now I'm hooked. She actually met you, she lives in Keller and knows your brother I believe? Anyways, I love your blog and look forward to reading every new post. You seriously need to make it into a book because when I first started reading it I felt like I was reading an amazing novel.

Anyways, I love reading the stories to share and I wanted to share one with you. It is not my story, I do have a story but it isn't as significant as this one. This is a story about a couple that I know through a friend of mine and it is an inspirational story that has already been shared with so many people but one I believe your readers would enjoy as well.

It is about Stacey and Brian Pritchard. They live in Des Moines, Iowa, as do I. I'll give you a back story, but they have a blog that gives their story justice. It is not about how they began their love story, but how their love has endured the toughest battle you can imagine. The "big C". Brian was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma on April 1, 2010. Stacey and some friends started the blog not too long after to document their story of how they were fighting the battle and how their love and faith was overcoming all the obstacles that came with it. Brian shared his stories of what he was going through and Stacey shared her view from the passenger side.

They are an amazing couple and unbelievably inspirational. They are two people that when you see them, you see a couple that is so in love and perfect for each other, you can only wish that you can find that kind of love someday. The blog they have is called Just Try and Ruin My Day! Which had always been Brian's motto in life. No matter what happened in his day, you couldn't wipe a smile off his face at the end of the day.

Long story short, it was a long and ever-changing battle they fought. They almost had the cancer beat when he started getting high fevers last month he couldn't break. He was in the hospital for a long time and they did plenty of testing, come to find out the cancer spread and it wasn't looking good. Unfortunately, Stacey and Brian's love story was cut short, Brian died yesterday morning (Tuesday February 8th). Brian was only 25 years old, they were married just two and a half years. I encourage you to read their blog, but keep tissues on hand. Stacey posted on it last night and it is the most beautiful post and if you only read that one post, it is enough to understand their great love for each other. I cannot imagine how she is feeling at this moment and the obstacles she will have to face to try to go on without the love of her life.

Their story, as well as yours, has taught me to appreciate everything I have in life, especially my wonderful boyfriend of four and a half years. When I first started reading your blog it brought back all the memories of when I first started dating him and it was wonderful to go through all those memories again. Reading through Stacey and Brian's story shows you to appreciate every moment in life and never let the little things, or big things, get you down.

Sorry this is getting long, but their story is meant to be shared. Here is a link to their blog: http://www.justtryandruinmyday.blogspot.com/
I hope you get the time to read it.

Thanks for your wonderful blog, I look forward to reading new posts and seeing how your love story turns out.

-Samie P

------------Here's the blog post below. Go get tissues first.


TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2011
The sun always sets
This morning when I laid with Brian I saw the sun peak thru the blinds in his room...I knew that today was the day. God opened his gates today and let Brian into his arms. I'm not, will be, or was ready to let go of Brian but I knew it was God's will and what is God's will, will be. As the sun sets tonight I see it as the sun setting on Brian's life on Earth but tomorrow when the sun comes back it will be the light on his new life in Heaven. Good- Bye only hurts because you love someone so much...and that is why today is so painful and heavy on my heart.

I did whatever I could to change God's plan the past 10 months but no matter how hard WE fought God needed him more. I miss Brian so much already I just wish he could come and wrap me up in his arms. I loved being in his arms...when I was there, there was always an overwhelming peace on me. He gave me strength to get through each day, he gave me peace when I was anxious, he gave me the confidence I needed in myself.

Man I love him. My heart will always weep and Brian told me, "Stacey time heals all wounds, you need time." I feel like eternity would not be enough time to get over my true love. Brian when he was strong told me to remember this...and I think it is something we can all use forever. This phrase speaks to Brian's character, the person he was, what he loved most about in life. "Stacey, remember, there is always good in people, you just have to find it." His grandfather told him that, and I believe when Heaven's gates opened his grandparents were there behind God to welcome him in. I can't wait till the day when he greets me. Brian loved life, LOVED it. With the bad he could always find the good. He had this unremarkable way to put a smile on my face...even when he tried to say 'I love you' for the last time.

Brian and I both found this blog therapeutic. It was our own personal therapist without the bills :). It was a way for us to have the relief of not answering 100 phone calls but yet express our minds to let things go. I know my new journey in life is going to be hard with many bumps, but with every bump I hope God blesses me with a TALL peak! I told Brian this would be my way of communicating with him and letting go of my thoughts.

I want to thanks you all for being with us on this long journey. I like to thank my gracious in-laws for loving me unconditionally. I want to thank my family for everything they have done to support me, even though it was hard for me to express that. I want to thank our friends who set this entire thing up and everyone else who donated, sent cards, emails, texts, meals, EVERYTHING.

All I want right now is to lay where Brian was yesterday as he was getting prepared for hospice. I want this bed to conform to me and hug me, I want it to be Brian. It is not a hospital bed, it is a place I can remember and can always crawl in. I miss him. I wish he was here.

To carry on Brian's legacy during his journey the past 10 months to witness to others I will leave you with this picture. Brian saw God, his last movements, he opened his arms lifted them to the sky looked and looked at the sky. I know Brian saw God. I know God was there with open arms and Brian was accepting God's hug. If you are not a believer I'm not sure what more proof there is in the this mortal world. I witnessed it with my own eyes and has forever been engraved. God is there, he is looking over us, he has a plan for all (although I think this plan sucked), look into your hearts and accept his love because the grass is a lot greener on his side.
-stacey

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Your Stories: A Change of Heart

Hey Whitney!!!

This is kind of long, but, i have to tell you a backgound so you can understand why is amazing.

I finally have the time to sit down and write down my love story, ´cause i have been wanting to write you sinse i started to read your blog, which was from about September... i guess. well before I tell you my story, i just want you to know that I'm a huge follower (blog twitter, fb), but lately i got stuck behind 'cause I'm studying like crazy for son exams to become a lawyer here, in Guatemala (that's why i have no good spelling or whatever you call grammar), and i barely can breathe, also work as an attorney assistant (i guess this is how you call someone who does a lot of things ) and i have no plans to stop working and that exam believe is hard, and then my friends, family and now boyfriend...
Your blog change my life, your story made me believe in love and i thank you so much for sharing this with some people that you don´t know.

This is my story:

When I was fifteen, i fell for a guy my age, and thanks to a cousin, he talk to me, one day, after being chatting for hours, he ask me to be his girlfriend, and of course i said yes, the only thing was that the very next day, he was watching my cousin (another one), the same way that a guy in love looks a girl... my world came to and end, yes, he liked her a lot, he told me that, but i was so stupid that i did not say something, since i was having a huge struggle with me, i was not ready to talk and send him to hell, so i waited a few days and dumped him, his reaction... - oh, ok, bye.

That day i hated myself for being so ugly, i my tough ts became my enemies, and friends at the same time, the next years i have the worst teenage years, i was bullied because i was to chubby, ugly and people could manipulate me the way they wanted, then i went to study to this new school and hoped for everything to change... but no, i just got a little bit worse, ´cause i fell in love with another guy that just play with my feelings, one day he just talk to me, and started looking for me, and said cute things, and one day i found he had a girlfriend... yes, again, someone play with my feelings, and with the crappy self estime that i had, me just destroyed what was left of me. So , i decided to not feel anymore, i was not good enough for no one, so i have only two choices, either be with some jerk who would treat me like crap, or be with someone who i did not like, just to avoid loneliness, and neither option i was going to take, so I decided to be alone, just hang out with my friends (which i have like 3) stay single for ever, i was 17 when i took that decision.

I started college and realized that it was stupid from me to be that mean to myself, so i thought, I´m in college, new friends, new life, no one know the hell have lived, the perfect place to star all over, be me, just me. So i did it, have some good friends, and it was cool, for the first time i have the control in my life, so it was about time for me to think in having a relationship, the only thing was i still have a crappy self estime in the love area, so every guy that i felt attracted to, was not even looking at me, yes, it was worse, i felt like i came tho this world to be every ones friend, so, i closed that door, for good.
I had friends, have good times, but just that.

I had the worse days ever, crying when my girlfriends had hooke ups, having relationships, being with guys that took good care of them, and me, i was the lonely one and the ugly one, i could not believe that no one , literally no one could even talk to me. I hated love. Valentines day was the worse, i became the girl who make fun of love, and from the bottom of my heart, hate cheesy and corny, those chick flicks made me go crazy cause deep inside, i knew i wanted that for me, but i also knew that it was going to be when i grow up and be the most beautiful girl... whenever i saw a couple holding hands or kissing, i felt like my stomach was going out trough my mouth.

One day i took the most important decision, forget about those awful thins, I´m not ugly, or chubby anymore (before i was just a regular girl with no love, i was not that fat or ugly!)

All that lasted like 8 years. My love story began in a really really unexpected way. My best friend study engineering and y study laws, so we only look each other a few times, this last year, we had more time to hang out, and since i did not have much friends, one day she invited me to ha out with her friends, all of them where boys, one of the i all ready knew and the had a mayor crush on me, he is a good person, but he was like me a few years ago, insecure, really low self love and I already left that far away from me, and he is just not my type, but that they i saw this guy, so handsome, like God took him out of my head and built him, yes, i looked at him and though. –shoot, i don´t have a chance there, if only Jess (my friend) could help me- but since that other guy had a crush on me, i also knew it was impossible, because they where friends. He barely saw me, he has an idiot, egocentric and he did not like me, so i said to myself –he is just another guy who thinks the world spins around him you don´t deserve that kind of guy, besides, love is for dummies.

We hang out a few more times, but nothing from him, and i knew no one liked me because i did not want a relationship with the guy that had that stupid crush on me, that on my defense, i never give him any chance, not a tiny bit, everyone hated me (that is how i feel it happened, maybe they do not hate me, but i am sure no one liked me) so, i became friend on facebook with most of them including that egocentric. A few month later, all of the sudden he started to talk to me, on facebook, well not talking, attacking me, if i changed my status, upload a new picture, always he commented and made me upset, like really upset, he drove me crazy, how on earth he could be even attacking me in my own space!!! Then i decided to just get along, we talk and one day he ask me for my msn, and we started to chat, i was confused, i did not now how to feel, believe in the fact that inside of me some little voice that i totally forgot existed keep telling me that he wanted something with me, i just kept ignoring that voice.

Until one day, my coworker and close friend almost slapped me on my face and told me that it´s about time for me to have a relationship, my first real relationship... i am 24.

So after talking a lot, we started to go out, everything went slow and fast, our firs kiss was amazing, and now we are officially dating, we both are afraid of relationships, he had one awfull (i think is the reason why he is afraid... he does not says it was awful, but if he is like that, it´s because i was not a good one), and me, well you just read about me, but i am finally letting someone to love me, i´m afraid a lot, but i also know that i can´t be safe all the time, he is such an amazing person, my fairy tale is still beginning, but i know this is going to be a good one.


maybe this is not a good love story, i read you're story, Jenna's story (that made me cry a lot), but this is another story with a crappy beginning that turn into the begging of a great one. It is amazing because, yes, i opend the door love again, but until I read your blog! before I just decided to stay single, now the few people that know, are so happy, imagine, i became an improved me, like 100 time better me.

i´ll try to write more next time, ´cause believe me my life, lately, is just super funny, now i have to go back to study or i´ll never be a lawyer...

really thank you so much!!!!

Cristina

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Your Stories: Different Kind of Love

I just came across this story while I was perusing Twitter before I went to bed, and felt compelled to share it. I know I don't usually post these kinds of stories, but it's still a love story.

Below is an excerpt. Find the full story here.


Kaylea is my little cousin. She is six years old, she is one of the brightest students in her Kindergarten class, and she LOVES to read! And not to mention she is one of the cutest kids ever! (Well I think so, but I might be a little bit biased.)

On January 27, 2011 we found out that Kaylea had leukemia. She was sent to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, and the next day she was diagnosed with acute lymphocyte leukemia. I think at this point my entire family is in shock. I know that I still am. We've dealt with cancer in our family before, but never has it effected someone so young.


Today she had surgery to place a port put in her chest, as well as a spinal tap. The plan is to start chemo sometime later today. I was able to talk to her mother this morning and said that throughout the entire ordeal Kaylea has been laughing and smiling. That doesn't surprise me at all.... that's just the way she is. I don't think I've ever seen this little girl not have a smile on her face.



I know how powerful the bookish community can be, and I am reaching out to you now.

As I said Kaylea loves to read! If you would be interested in sending a card or maybe even a book her way, I know that it would put a smile on her face. Kaylea isn't picky about books, she likes all kinds. Ones that she can read herself or ones that her momma can read to her! (She likes books about ballerinas and sign language! But I'm sure she would be happy with anything, I believe she is at a pre-k & k reading level, or a reading age of 4-8... hopefully that helps.)

Kaylea Stewart
P.O. Box 623
Parker City, IN 47368

As you can assume something like this can put a financial drain on any family. From the way I am understanding it, Kaylea's mom is leaving her job and also leaving the families only source of medical insurance.

Riley Children's Hospital does some wonderful things, if you would like to donate to the Children's Hospital in honor of Kaylea you can do so, at the Riley Children's Hospital page.

I'm also taking up a donation for the family themselves. Every little bit will help. If you would rather not donate money, I know that the family would appreciate gas cards, fast food gift cards... really anything would help at this point. If interested you can send those things to the family via the mailing address above.



I'm sending her a book called Elphland: The Story of Santa's Elves. But I'm going to see if the author will name one of the elves after her first before he sends it. (He's a family friend) Hope she likes it!

If you're sending her a book, comment below and tell me what you're sending her! I love hearing what people's favorite childhood books were! (Mine was Go Dogs Go!)

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Your Stories: Cherish the moment

Dear Whitney,

I’ve been reading your blog for a couple months, and am still working on catching all the way up. It’s inspiring to see love in its purest form. I just read Addie’s story, posted November 11th, and cried, and immediately felt like I should share mine. I will warn you, it’s kinda long, and you will need tissues handy.

Matt and I were not like you and Cayden, or any of the other stories I’ve read on your blog. Ours is not a story of love at first sight, it took some growing.

I live in a very small town, the population is less than 20,000, and it is very safe and close knit around here. Most of us know one another, rumors and stories spread like wildfire. We are also a college community, with one large university, and another fairly large university all within 20 miles. This is the country, I don’t always lock my doors, and am usually pretty safe walking the streets in the dark by myself.

I have a very good friend Kevin, whose family has adopted me as one of their own. I call his parents Momma T and Dad more often than not. Matt is Kevin’s best friend, so we obviously run in the same circles occasionally. As many times over the years that I met Matt, it just never stuck. He was married, and for whatever reason, he just didn’t make a lasting impression on me. Matt and his wife finally separated (it was one of those marriages that should never have happened in the first place, but produced two of the finest children I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing).

One day early in October, Momma T called me, asked me if I would watch Kevin and Matt’s kids so they could help them with some things around the house, they needed their strong arms. Of course I did (I am a nanny by profession, so it comes natural). This time it stuck. But I thought Matt would become exactly the kind of friend to me Kevin always has, the one that is more like a brother than anything else.

I played in the leaves with the kids, of course the guys had to join in at one point and we were all covered in leaves, but it was the best time. Matt was on the roof of the house doing something, and I can’t remember what his son did, but I told him if he didn’t stop he’d have to sit in time out, to which Matt responded “You rock!” His wife never disciplined the children. I believe in discipline and making children do as their supposed to. They need to learn boundaries and respect.

From that day on Matt and I began spending more time together, usually with the kids and/or Kevin and his son around. I knew that Matt was developing feelings for me, and but I still felt like he was going to just be brother to me. Until we all (Kevin and his parents, Matt and I, and several others) took a road trip to Charlotte, North Carolina for a football game.

The plan was for Kevin, Matt and I to share a hotel room for the weekend. The first night we were there, we wanted to hit the downtown scene and see what we could get into. We went into a bar, and Kevin and I got pretty drunk, pretty fast. Before it was said and done, Kevin and his parents and I got into the biggest fight we’ve ever been into, three against me. They told me they were disappointed in my behavior and that I needed to grow up. My feelings were very hurt because I Kevin’s behavior was no better than mine.

But, of course, Matt was there to take care of me. He took me back to our hotel room, and comforted me as I cried, wiping the tears from my eyes. Something between us changed that night, but I still wasn’t ready to admit that I was falling in love with him.

I was so afraid. I’ve always had very serious problems with men and I’d never met a man as caring, considerate, generous, and thoughtful as Matt. I was also afraid because I was already becoming very attached to his children. But from that weekend on, Matt and I spend more and more time together, more time alone.

Every time he came over, he brought me a Starbucks coffee. He found real mistletoe and hung it in my door way, we decorated my house for Christmas together. He’s always doing something to make me happy or make my life a little easier. We were still trying to convince ourselves that we were just friends though, I mean, he hadn’t even kissed me (not even when he hung the mistletoe), and truth be told, I didn’t want him to. I was scared to death that when he did I wouldn’t be able to pretend that we weren’t more than friends anymore.

A week before Christmas he told me he had a secret, I of course begged him to let me in on it; he knows how curious and nosy I am. He told me he would tell me the next time he saw me. So that night when I got home from spending time with my family, he came over. The whole time in between he kept texting me to antagonize me about it. Counting down until I could learn this secret he had.

When he walked through my door instead of the coffee that was usually in his hand, there was a jewelry store bag. This wasn’t a secret, it was a surprise! It was a gorgeous double heart diamond necklace. I couldn’t believe he would do something like that for me. Matt doesn’t have a lot of money, and all of it should be going to his kids for Christmas and such, and I told him as much. But at the same time I was so very touched that he would buy me something like that. No man had ever done anything so kind.

I didn’t realize it, but I fell in love with him that day. I knew that no man would ever treat me as well as Matt, and I knew that he was falling in love with me too. At this point, although he still hadn’t kissed me (let me tell you, he’s so shy about that kind of thing), we were really only waiting until his divorce is final (which will be in February) before anything official happens. We want to take things very slow, we’re both very scared and have both been through so much.

Three days after he gave me the necklace, on December 21st, Matt was brutally murdered in his house, buy his wife and her “fiancé”.

Matt was the greatest love of my life, and now I will never get to share my life with him. I never even got to tell him that I loved him. I didn’t get to kiss his lips and show him what he meant to me. So don’t ever let fear stop you from following your heart and showing that person you love more than life what they mean to you.

My fairytale ending has been ripped away from me in the cruelest way. Always cherish the love in your life, because you never know when that might be taken away from you. I thought I had all the time in the world with Matt. I thought I’d have the rest of our lives to live our fairytale.

I continue to read your blog, though sometimes it’s kind of hard to swallow, and is kind of sad for me, but Whitney, always hold tight to this. You don’t want to forget a single moment with Cayden. Hold him close and always tell him what he means to you. And if he is anything like my prince charming, he is always showing you in all those tiny little ways what you mean to me. Give him a kiss in honor of Matt and me.

Love,
Jenna

*Follow up Note from Jenna:
The Red Cross is hosting a Matt McPeak Memorial blood drive on February 26th. Obviously readers across the country can't come here, but if they'd like to, they can go to any Red Cross Donor Center and donate in Matt's memory. We're saving lives in honor of the precious life we lost. We will hold more drives every 56-60 days or so, if you would like I can give you those dates as they plan them so anyone wishing to donate may do so along with Matt's family and friends.
Thanks, and thank you for your kind words and thoughts.
More info here.

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Your Stories: ...and Secrets!

I can't tell you how many times I've been touched and brought to tears by your emails. I love hearing your stories, and you've all helped me transform from an anti-romantic to a hard-core dreamer. Before starting this blog, I believed in lust at first sight, but not love at first sight. I thought everyone cheated. I thought "falling in love" was an overused term whispered in the high-school hallways and scribbled on college-ruled notebook paper.

And, yes, I thought happily ever afters were just in children's fairytales.

But your stories made me believe in my own fairytale. Your stories let me transform from evil step sister to the doe-eyed Princess. I'd rock a pair of glass slippers if I didn't think they'd give me sweaty feet and blisters.

But one glaring fact lingers in my peripherals: Divorce rates are on the rise. It makes me wonder, is that because people married for the wrong reasons? Did they at one point feel the way I feel about Cayden? If so, is it possible that one day I'll fall out of love with him the way so many people have fallen out of love with their husbands or wives? The very thought of that scares the shit out of me. So, how do some people fall in love and stay in love?

Well, I heard about a couple named Mike and Alanna Clear, who are traveling the world in search of the answer to that question. For their honeymoon a year ago, they traveled all the way from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina in a motorcycle and sidecar, talking to couples from all walks of life about the secret to lasting love. Then they heard that about 50% of marriages in the UK end in divorce, so they decided to focus on their home turn. They're currently on a 1,500-mile trek around the UK, again, in a motorcycle and sidecar. Oh, what I'd give to be a fly in the inside wall of that sidecar. Luckily, they're sharing it all on their Facebook page.

Think you hold the secret to a lasting marriage? Share it with them here. (Oh, and while you're at it, let me in on those secrets! You know, one day I might need 'em)


Which brings me back to what I was saying earlier, I love sharing your stories.

So, send me more! No, they don't all have to be ooey and gooey and castles and twitchy-footed bunnies. They can be about frogs or Princes or ogres. They can be about lust or love or love lost. As long as they're true. I want to share them. I want to post them for everyone to read. Or, if it's something you want to share with me, but you'd I not post it, that's fine, too! Email stories to me at fairytalebeginning73@gmail.com.


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Your Stories: Caitlin and Carter (Update!)

Remember a while back I posted an email I received from a girl named Caitlin about how she reconnected with a long-lost friend via a webcam while he was in Iraq with another friend of hers and she fell madly in love with him and at one point she thought she'd lost him forever? Ha, didn't think so. It was a LONG time ago. Click here to reread their story.
Once you've refreshed your memory, check out her new email below. Looks like I wasn't the only one who got something shiny for Christmas :) (OK... so hers is probably a little shinier)


Whitney,

So I just wanted to send you a quick email and let you know that Carter and and I are engaged!! =)

He asked me Christmas morning infront of my entire family!! Did it up right.. lol I will have to send you the details later!

Thank you again for making me realize what was in front of me.. =) I honestly cant thank you enough!!

-Caitlin

Naturally, I shot back with something along the lines of "HOLY FREAKIN SHIT! CONGRATS!! I WANT THE WHOLE STORY, STAT!!" I admit, I overuse CAPS LOCK functions when I'm overly excited.

She followed up with:

For the past 2 weeks he had been acting a bit weird. I could tell that his anxiety had been at an all time high and he was talking about my "wedding plans" more than usual! He would ask me things like, "What colors do you want when we get married?" "How many bridesmaids are you gonna have?" "Would you get scared and tell me no if I asked you to marry me?".. All of these questions were easy for me to answer however I wasn't quite sure why he was so inquisitive about them! But I answered them one by one as he asked and went on with my day!

Christmas Eve rolled around and it was time for us to go to his side of the family for the festivities! He works the overnight shift so we packed up his work uniform with us to wash while we were at his grandparents house. When we walked in his grandma jokingly made the comment about me doing his laundy to which I replied, like I always replied, "When he puts a ring on this finger I'll do his laundry!!" and we all joked about it like we always do! Never in a million years would I have imagined that the very next morning he would actually be putting a ring on my finger!!

After we left that night we were on our way home and he began questioning me again about our wedding and what my thoughts were. I began to get suspicious and I just knew he was going to ask me when we got home; time went by and 11:30pm came and it was time for him to go to work and he hadn't asked me yet. I just pushed it to the back of my head and thought, "Maybe tomorrow morning." Wrong yet again. When he got home at 7 am I just knew he was going to ask me to marry him but after we finished our Christmas with each other and my favorite little 2 year old red head, Mason, I was expecting him to pop the question and again it didn't happen! So I told myself that I was just crazy and it would happen some day down the road.

We load up my truck and head to my parents to meet my brother, sister in law, and nephew to have our family Christmas by 8am- once we get there we watch the kids play with the toys that Santa had left and began to unwrap all of our presents; once we finished we were all cleaning up from the maddness when he told me there was another present under the tree for me.

I was confused as he told me to sit down and open it. I told him it didnt have a name on it and I didn't think it was mine. "It is yours and only yours" was his response. My heart immediately started pounded and I could feel the room full of eyes on me. I heard a few camera snaps go off as I unwrapped box after box after box, each one getting smaller and smaller. Finally I came to the very last box wrapped in red tissue paper, I pulled the tissue paper back saw it was a ring box and immediately started crying.

I handed him the box, tucked my face in his neck and heard him whisper, "I love you so much.. Will you marry me?".. I shook my head up and down because I couldnt get the words out. Then I heard my brother shout from across the room, "I didn't hear an answer- what did you say?!" "YES!!".. He slid the ring on my finger and my heart sank to the very same spot it was the very first day I saw him and wrapped my arms around him in the parking lot of UCO in Edmond, almost 2 1/2 years ago.

It couldnt have been any better or anything more perfect!!!

I made our story into a book and had it printed off for him for Christmas!! He absolutely loved it.. I honestly can't thank you enough!!!!

Hey, don't thank me! Thank that pesky little bastard, Cupid. He's got good aim :)
I'll keep my eye out for the wedding invitation. Just kidding. But seriously...


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Your Stories: So worth it

Ali sent me this email back in July, and I don't know why I didn't post it way back then, but what better time than to post it now! It's a long one, so pour yourself a glass of wine, wrap yourself up in that Snuggie, and get comfortable. Trust me, it's a GOOD ONE! (Per usual, it made me cry harder than I care to admit)

Here's just another "How I met my Cayden" story :) I'm sure you have a ton of these already but I thought it would be fun to write mine out, even if you're not able to read it (I'm sure it will get long) - I think it will be fun for me to have :)

When I turned 16 I couldn't WAIT to get a job and make my own money. So I started working at a restaurant, Santa Fe, in my hometown. Santa Fe is where I met Jessica and Bronson. We were pretty inseparable from day one. They eventually started dating and we were still inseparable. Until one day in 2004 Bronson decided to enlist in the Army before mentioning it to either of us. Surprise! One way ticket to Army boot camp and training. Gone from May until October, just like that. After all the training he was stationed in Alaska at Fort Richardson. Jess couldn't handle long distance and they didn't make it out of boot camp but Bronson and I were still buddies. Phone calls here and there, when he was home on leave we would get everybody together for some crazy parties.

I'm sure right now you're thinking I'm going to end up with Bronson, that he is my Cayden. But he's not :)

My favorite phone calls from Alaska would come starting in February 2006 at 2am Alaska time as Bronson and his buddies were walking home from the bar. I'm not sure how well you know your time zones but 2am AK time is 5am Oklahoma time :) I would start out talking to Bronson and end up getting passed around to all the drunk Army guys. One in particular I talked to a lot (and he was the funniest one, had the best one liners and always drunkenly told me how sexy my "I just woke up" voice was) was Patrick. After a few phone calls like that, I finally receive a text from a phone number I didn't know. "Hey it's Patrick, Bronson's buddy. I figured I owed you a sober conversation at least once." And that's how it all started...

He was actually talking to a girl (we will call her 'Rebecca') back in his hometown (Houston) and I was dating Tyler at the time. I would tell Patrick the douche bag things that Tyler was pulling and he would tell me he wasn't sure if he should really try getting in a relationship with this girl since he was deploying to Iraq sometime in the near future. Iraq was going to be busy enough, did he really need to start a relationship and have something else on his plate over there? We talked via AIM literally from the time he got off work until I went to bed with texts sprinkled in here and there when he could at work.

We just had this easy going friendship and it was natural to talk to him, weird since I had NEVER met him. Strange how that works. In early July 2006 I broke things off with Tyler officially and for good and Patrick went home to Houston on leave for 10 days. He was being picked up at the airport by 'Rebecca.' I always told him, it would work out how it was meant to and I'm sure they would be fine while he was in Iraq while secretly starting to hope they didn't work out at ALL.

This trip home was kind of a testing the water phase for them. Over those 10 days I got maybe 5 short text conversations, I was quietly going insane. Why did I care if this boy I had never met ended up dating a girl he actually did know and had known for years. He got back to Alaska, a single and unattached guy. He couldn't commit to a relationship and didn't think it was for the best. The deployment was coming up in October for at least 12 months and he couldn't do that to either of them.

Late July my grandpa passed away. One night while I was working we were texting back and forth and he knew I was having a hard time with my grandpa's passing and was trying everything in the books to cheer me up. I feel my phone go off in my apron while taking a table's order. When I checked my phone, I found a missed call from Patrick and a voicemail waiting for me. I run to the bathroom to listen to the vmail. "You are my sunshine my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know dear how much I LIKE you so please don't take my sunshine away. I know you're having a rough time babe but I'm here whenever you need me and I'll do anything to cheer you up. Even sing a cheesy song on your voicemail." I loved how he changed that one small word in the song and that was the first time he admitted liking me.

He was coming home again in September, one last time before deploying in October. I was an 8 hour drive away in OKC. We kind of threw the idea of me coming to see him around but how creepy does that sound? Driving 8 hours to a town where I don't know anyone to meet a guy I've only talked to on the phone and computer for the past 7 months. I couldn't justify doing that but at the same time could I really miss this opportunity? God works in really mysterious ways.

His mysterious way came in the form of a girlfriend of mine getting married. She asked me to be maid of honor. She lived in Baytown, TX about an hour from his hometown. And she needed me to come down and do some planning and help pick out the bridesmaids dresses. If I was going to go down there and only be an hour away why not make the trip the same time Patrick would be home? September 12, 2006, I had a test in Stillwater and then skipped all my other classes for the day to drive to Baytown.

The whole way I talked to Patrick and he was planning to come to Baytown while I was there (that way I had backup in my soon to be married couple friends just in case he ended up being a serial killer). I didn't get to Dacia's house until 7 that night. At 830 Patrick showed up at her house. He hadn't planned on it being that night but once I started getting closer, he wanted to go as soon as I got there :) He had his little brother bring him (so he had back up too) I had to go up the street to met them at a gas station and they followed me to her house.

I had nerves I didn't even know existed as I drove from the gas station to her house. I got out of the car and went over to him and we hugged. We were both so nervous and awkward at first. We ended up just sitting in the living room and everyone talked and it all went so well, everyone got along. He held my hand the whole time on the couch and finally toward the end of the night we went outside by ourselves and talked for a little bit. We had our first kiss in her driveway. He pulled back and said ''your lips are so soft'' before pressing his lips to mine again.

Needless to say, I ran back into the house that night giddy as hell after he drove off with his brother. We had plans to meet the next day. He text me as soon as he left and we talked the whole time he was riding back to his house.

Here's the first bump in the road. The next day. He completely blew me off. We had texted and he was giving me BS lines about stuff he had to do with his family. Weird since we had made plans the night before. Talk about being bummed. I wasn't sure what to think but finally just accepted he was a douche and I wasn't going to see him again while I was in Texas. I didn't text him or respond the rest of the time he was home.

When he got back to Alaska. He wrote me the longest "I'm sorry I was an asshole and blew you off" email. In his defense, we had talked in great length about his fear of starting a relationship right before Iraq. Even though it was about another girl, I knew the feelings stayed the same whether it was Rebecca or me. I had to give him that much. But why not just say that? Why make plans with me for the next night? He apologized about a hundred times in emails, texts, voicemails. He didn't expect to feel how he did the night we met. He figured we would meet and we would still be friends. He didn't think he would have these strong of feelings for me. He didn't know what to do or say so he panicked and just blew me off.

He knows he could have handled it better but he's a guy what do I expect? I finally responded and gave him a piece of my mind :) After a few days and more apologies we were back to talking, just as friends and I had forgiven him for the blow off. I told him during my "you could have handled this so much differently" conversation that no matter where he was, Texas, Alaska, Iraq my feelings were NOT changing and even if he didn't want to admit it now, we were going to end up together. I just knew we would. That's why I forgave him. There was just something about him and our relationship, I knew was different and I knew would work out. No matter what it took. I don't think he really believed me then :)

We talked everyday for hoooooours until October 5th when he left for Iraq. Talk about torture. To have him leave and even though we were just "friends," I knew his feelings for me, he knew mine for him, I knew we wouldn't be together while he was gone but that doesn't make feelings go away. In fact, knowing he was where he was, being shot at, going on missions where I wouldn't hear from him for 5, 8, 13 days at a time made them even stronger. I wrote him a letter literally EVERY day that he was deployed. Stupid letters that told him every detail of my day, insignificant or not. He just liked to hear about it and for 5 minutes or however long it took to read the letter, he took his mind off of Iraq life.

We never made a deal to try to make it work when he got back. I was free to date anyone I wanted. We were just "friends." And I tried to date other guys. It was easier when I was drunk and could flirt like there was no tomorrow. But my mind always went back to Patrick. Here I am drinking and having fun and he's running around somewhere in Iraq dodging mortars, hiding in holes, clearing houses, hunting down bad guys. Was he safe? How was he dealing with what he was seeing over there?

He came home on R&R in February of 2007. I didn't go see him, I wanted him to see his family and I didn't want to interrupt that (well a part of me did but I talked myself out of it quickly). Again he texted me all day long and told me how the hardest part of being home was knowing his buddies were still over there and he was sitting in America drinking a beer and not being able to sleep at night.

I hadn't talked to him since March 13th... he went out on a mission. I got a message saying they were going out and he would talk to me in a few days when he got back. Keep sending the letters, he liked having a ton when he got back from being away from the base.

March 16th 2007.
While on a mission Patrick, his squad leader, and 2 others are working on clearing a house. Squad leader gives them all instructions. You go this way, you that way. "Patrick go left, I'll go right." Pat took three steps when the bomb went off. Chris gave his life that day. Patrick was the second closest to it. One was so messed up in the head after that the Army sent him home. The last one walks with a limp and a cane to this day. Pat was the only one of the 4 to stay in Iraq after the accident. He was sent to Germany to the hospital. Where he told them all he was fine when can he get back to his buddies. He slipped out of the hospital before he was actually released and jumped on a bird back to base. They didn't remove the shrapnel from his legs. He received a Purple Heart. He couldn't care less about the Purple Heart, he wants Chris back. They looked for Chris' wedding ring to give back to his wife. They couldn't find it.

If that's not a wake up call. I don't know what is. I stopped trying to date other guys after that. Why pretend? These guys I could see on a daily basis couldn't hold my attention the way Patrick could from half a world away. I set an AIM alert on his screen name and when I went to sleep every night after his accident I turned the volume up so loud on my computer that everytime he would sign on AIM I would hear it, wake up and go to the computer to talk to him. I didn't care if it was 2 or 3 in the morning or 7. I talked to him until he had to get off. I didn't care how tired I was. It was worth it. This continued everyday. My letters continued until he told me to stop sending them because he was so close to coming home.

He was the first guy to send me flowers. He sent them from Iraq as he was getting close to leaving and the card simply said "Thank you for EVERYTHING." The flower shop actually messed up the order so they delivered them twice :)

The last month he was in Iraq, he decided when he was home in Texas he was going to come see me in Oklahoma. See how it went between us and we would go from there.

He got home to Alaska on November 30th 2008. That was the best day. He was home safe and I never had to worry about March 16th happening again. No more dodging mortars, no more missions, no more getting shot at. He was back on US soil. They had block leave after coming back from Iraq. Practically a month, a whole month, he would have to be at home. He went home December 21st. He came to Oklahoma December 27th-December 30th. Mother Nature played a TERRIBLE trick on me because I started as I was getting ready to go to the airport to pick him up. After ALL this build up (and to be honest some dirty conversations while he was in Iraq) we weren't going to be able to partake in any "base running" in your words :)

He decided that was for the best. We needed to be around each other without the sexual part clouding the mind. I thought he was crazy :) It was the most natural relationship I have ever had. He was so easy to be around and talk to and it felt like it was supposed to be this way. He left Oklahoma. I wasn't ready for it. He went back home. Again the text, the phone calls, the "this is sooo what I'm going to do to you next time" talks. We talked all the time. He had planned a trip to go to Rhode Island (one of his sisters is stationed there with the Coast Guard and she had just had her second daughter) to go see his family up there. While he was there, he was talking to his sister and decided he was going to come back to Oklahoma before leave was up. I wonder why ;) He asked if that was okay with me. Hell yeah it was! Round 2 bring it on :) He flew to Oklahoma and when he left Oklahoma he was going straight to Alaska. The base running was mind blowing :) but it was nice to know that we had a connection before AND after that!

He left January 10th and the next day we were booking my flight to Alaska in March to go see him.

Super Bowl Sunday 2008. We talked all day like we always did. I get a text really late that night. And it said "I have something to tell you." That night he told me he loved me. He wanted to wait until I came up in March because he didn't want to text that to me for the first time or do it on the phone. But alcohol helped his decision making on that one :) I told him I would believe it if he remembered telling me and if he decided to tell me the next day sober. He said he would. I highly doubted it.

The next day my good morning text said "Good morning beautiful, guess what I remember telling you last night? I love you and I still mean it this morning."

I was leaving for Germany early early February 14th with a girlfriend. We were going to be gone for 2 weeks visiting a good friend who was stationed there. We had said we weren't doing V-Day gifts bc we had just made it official and I was going to be gone on Feb 14th. On February 13th I got a surprise delivery. He had sent me a Build-a-Bear. It was a Dallas Cowboys bear with my last name on the back of the jersey (he's a Redskins fan, so I know how hard that must have been for him) and the bear was holding a little bouquet of roses even. Happy Valentine's Day to me.

I never imagined going to Alaska in my life. But I made 4 trips to Alaska from March to July staying two-three weeks at a time for a guy I knew it was meant to work out with. He got out of the Army in September of 2008. I moved to Texas March of 2009. Like your friend in STL, we're planning on getting married next summer but we're not engaged YET :)

It's crazy how one tiny moment changes everything, for me it's how the love of my life from Texas ended up being stationed in Alaska with a good friend of mine from Oklahoma. For you it's a random kick in the ass to some stranger in a NYC bar.

So long distance, I don't know quite Texas-London distance but any distance sucks. I've been there. You know when it's worth it and believe me I know when it's worth it, you and Cayden are worth it. Stick in there even in the hard times because when you guys are finally in the same place for good, it's the most fantastic feeling in the world. And it will be an amazing book, an amazing MOVIE (how do we help get that going?!) and a great story for your grandkids to tell in about 50 years ;) I wish you and Cayden the best and I can't wait to read everything you two post in the future!

Sorry this is so crazy long. I don't blame you for not reading it all. Lol :) Thanks for inspiring so many people to relive their own fairy tales beginning!!

Ali





.....As I said, Ali wrote me that email back in July. Two weeks ago, she sent me an update.


I told you my story about my long distance relationship a few months back. (Patrick in the Army- stationed in Alaska for 4 years, goes to Iraq for 14 months while I'm in Oklahoma, etc.) So I won't get into all that I just wanted to share an update with you and maybe give you just a hint of encouragement and make sure you know you're not alone in long distance relationships and I'm here to say THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT! Worth every lonely night when you wish you could fall asleep next to them, when your countdown is such a high number that it's almost depressing, worth the terrible jealous feeling when you see couples walking down the street hand in hand, worth all the frequent flyer miles that are racked up, just WORTH IT.

Then there comes a times when the miles shrink to next to nothing and you live in the same city. You get to do all the normal things that couples do when they live in the same place and that becomes normal to you guys. And then one day you're surprised when he gets down on one knee and gives you this:




Ok so maybe not THAT exact one. But you know what I'm saying. This past weekend Patrick proposed. And I said the sentence I've been DYING to say to him for nearly 2 years (or 4 since I KNEW from day one we were going to end up together one way or another) "Of course, are you kidding, did you really have to ask?! What took you so long! Yes!" Or maybe I just said yes but that's beside the point. So here's to one more long distance relationship, making it to this point and to my left hand being a little bit heavier now ;) and of course to happily ever afters ;)

Hang in there, it's worth it!

-Ali