Everyone should get a boyfriend who can do the "stanky leg."(above)
Or at least someone who has a smile like this (above).
But definitely someone who has a sense of humor like this:)
For those of you reading that know me at all, the stunning blond man in the pictures above is the man I'm crazy about. You see, that guy and I have been best friends since third grade. We've seen a lot of life together and we've also gone our separate ways and learned a lot on our own.
Elementary and Middle School were fun--we were attached at the hip in the most non-romantic way possible. This is the boy who taught me how to double jump on a trampoline, ride a go-kart, eat popcorn with no hands, and how to appreciate a good root beer. He was the first boy I ever held hands with (on the ferris wheel at the North Carolina State Fair--that's right!). He was even the first boy I ever kissed. Yes, that's right, in 8th grade. On our youth retreat. It is a very dear, sweet memory of ours. I believe it was also 8th grade that I broke up with the dear boy on Valentine's Day, in front of all our friends. I was a cruel heart breaker and I think there are still scars from that incident.
High school was a bit of a different story. Lucas and I had a lot of growing up to do individually and while we were still very active in youth group and bible study--we had moments that were really great and moments that were really awful. We both dated other people and learned a lot about ourselves in the process and
a lot about what we DID NOT want in the person we chose to date. The high school years ended with an interesting twist--a twist that I will not shed a lot of light on because it's in the past and, at this point, most trivial:)
After the "interesting twist" at the end of high school, we took a month long hiatus (we were still not dating at the time, we were thinking/talking/about to before the "interesting twist" occurred) to think/process/heal from the "interesting twist" and get through the chaos that is graduation and preparing to leave for college. We dated for about a month (and had the sweetest of kisses underneath fireworks on the 4th of July, yes I am allowed to be sappy) before I broke his heart (again!) right before we both left for college. I was terrified that we'd be together going into college only for him to find someone infinitely better than I and drop me. We both moved into college (ironically enough we were going to colleges that are about ten minutes apart and located on the exact same street!) and didn't really speak until college had been under way for about a month....
We started an official relationship (that didn't include middle school drama and "interesting twists") in September 2007, and haven't really looked back. You see, I am lucky. And when I say lucky, I truly mean that I am blessed and that God has, yet again, been gracious to me and given me someone like Lucas.
Let's be real for a minute, relationships are hard work. Sometimes, extremely hard work. But I have yet to regret any of the time and effort and patience I've put into this relationship. It is genuinely worth it. We have both grown a lot since we started college, and yet we've grown closer to each other at the same time. We're at different schools which has ultimately been a blessing in disguise because we both have separate lives, but also get to join together for a lot of things as well.
He is about to finish up his second year of college (he'll be done about two weeks before me!) and I could not be more proud. He was an RA this year, for the first time ever and, I will take a moment to brag, and say that he has done a phenomenal job! He stepped up to that job and gave everything it demanded and it shows. He's also done so well in school and is just this incredibly gifted and good man. He is much too humble and would never say any of these things about himself, but I will gladly express them about him:)
So, I'm lucky. And I must admit, before ending this, that I'm not just lucky because of the deep things about him that are so incredible--the man has the best sense of humor and it keeps me sane when I am in an anxiety tailspin:)
Nothing like datin' the first boy you ever kissed....I'm so thankful:)
I have been missing in action for quite some time. It has been a full several months--in both good and bad ways. BUT....I am still here and I am still going strong. There has been learning, growing, a trip to Seattle to see dear friends, time at the lake, a very special wedding, a very special RING dinner, some Cornhuskin, & some state fair goodness:) Life is full & good.
