The Story of Us.

I smile, because I remember the day as if it were yesterday. It was Spring time, and life around me seemed dark. For the first time, in two semesters I went out (which, as most people know is very rare for me) with my cousin and his friends hoping to ease the thoughts inside my head.. for just one night, at least. And, little did I know my world would change forever the next day. The night was a blur, but it occupied the heaviness on my heart; it was a night I needed to escape from the world around me. As I awoke the next day, I knew I had drank a little too much, so I decided to go home and sleep (most of) the day away, of course I had finished all of my homework and did not have class, so that made it easier to do so. In the evening, I decided to try a pizza place that my brother told me about a few months ago, and as we all know a hangover and pizza go hand-in-hand. I thought, (looking back now) way longer than I needed to about whether I wanted to pick the pizza up or have it delivered; as I did not want to leave my bed, although my stomach was a little upset still, so I decided to stop for a Sprite on the way to the pizza place. You see, in life every choice we make leads us to a different path, and as I sit here today I wonder what my life would be like today if I had not made (what seemed like) the most unimportant decision of my life (getting a Sprite at Sheetz). I do, however remember feeling a little more hopeful that day; I felt as if at any moment I would meet someone who would (maybe not) forever, but just for a minute, make me smile again. All I know is, that Fall/Spring was one of the hardest times of my life. I felt broken, unable to be fixed, detached from the world, hopeless, and nobody knew, so I believe that is why I was led to you. They say people come into your life for different reasons; some stay, some go, some teach a lesson... we may not always understand the reason behind meeting someone until later on in life, but eventually the reason becomes clear. As I walked into the pizza store around 5:30-6:00 in the evening, I still had a headache but I was finally feeling hungry. I looked up because there was nobody else at the front (where I was supposed to pick up the pizza), and there I saw you. You were smiling so big, and honestly that smile made me feel like I had known you forever. I smiled back, nervously, of course. You started walking toward the counter and I stated I was picking up a pizza, so you went to get it. That day was a little chilly, so I was wearing a fuzzy brown coat, black sweatpants and yellow vans. You came back with the pizza and said to me, "That jacket looks so cozy", and I (awkwardly) laughed and said "Yes, it is." As you know, I was very unsure if you were "flirting" with me, I assumed that you were just being a nice guy. I could tell you were not from the United States, by your accent, but I did not know where you were from. I remember thinking, I have had so many guys flirt with me, but the way you flirted was different. I could see it in your eyes that you were genuine; you respected me, and that is something I have never encountered before. Yes, I have had guys flirt with me in the past, but the flirting was typically aimed toward my physical features or my body; but you were different, and I admired that. I wanted so bad for you to ask for my number, or even just my name. But, I could see that you were a true gentlemen, and I know you did not want to appear as the typical pushy "man." Again, I admired that. As I left, I turned to look at you, one last time, and in that instant we shared a smile; we shared a connection. Two strangers, from the opposite ends of the world, meeting by an innocent choice, but destined to meet for reasons beyond understanding. On my way home, all I could think about was you. I thought, "Why does a stranger feel so much like home?", "Why do I feel so strongly connected to someone I have never met?" Emotions, thoughts, feelings, all running through me, each shaped with confusion, but all so sure that I was meant to find you. My pizza did not last long, specifically because I had not eaten all day. The thought of you continuously lingered on my mind. I contemplated calling the pizza place back for an hour. I thought, "What if I call and he thinks I am weird, maybe a stalker?", "What if he has a girlfriend already?", and the funniest of all, "What if he isn't into girls that way?" You see, the way you appeared was very retro-ish to me and growing up in the States, I was not used to the uniqueness about you. Don't get me wrong, I thought you were unbelievably handsome, and just so different (personality-wise)... That is why I was so drawn to you. But, from my experience, nothing ever worked out for me the way I wanted it to, so my hopes were not high that day. Anyway, I did end up calling the pizza place back, and the lady that had answered the first time I called had picked up again. I explained to her that I had just come for a pizza, that the pizza was delicious, but I was calling for a different reason. The words, to me sounded so desperate coming out. Never have I made the first move on anyone, but in my heart I knew I couldn't let you slip away. I said, "The reason I am calling is because I wanted to give the man who rung me out my phone number." I sat there, waiting for the woman to laugh, or better, hang up. But she proceeded to tell me that she would tell him (you). After I hung up, I felt so relieved, but anxious, too. I thought, "What if he never texts me?", "What if she gives the number to the wrong person?" I sat, impatiently that night waiting for a text. Finally, I received a text from you, I couldn't believe it. For a minute, I thought she had given my number to the wrong person, but luckily it had really been you, the one I was waiting to talk more to, to learn more about. We talked for a while that night, so long that I even picked you up from work (the pizza place). Gosh, I was even more anxious picking you up, I wanted our instant connection to remain. As you got in my car, you looked over at me in awe, saying "you're beautiful." Picking up a stranger is a little uneasy, so I had to determine your true intentions. As the night progressed, we had talked for hours and I my feelings for you had become overwhelming, and to my dismay, scary.

Our relationship is unlike any other, truly, because within the first month of meeting we had started living together. I quickly learned that it would be the hardest, scariest, most beautiful relationship I had ever experienced. To this day, we have become stronger than I ever imagined, and although we have had our share of ups and plenty of downs along the way... we continuously choose each other. You have taught me so much about myself, you have loved every complication, imperfection, and flaw that I have, both physically and emotionally, and you have brought so much light back into my life. Yes, I am independent and brave enough to survive on my own, but I sincerely know that without you my world just wouldn't be the same.

Thank you for allowing me to feel so loved, and for showing me what it is like to have a love that is real and genuine.

I do and forever will love you endlessly.