Probably the one that'll have you scratching your heads. Mostly because of society's rules on relationships....
As I mentioned last week, I had 4 months of pure insane social bliss. Seriously, I had the time of my life. I needed that release sooooooo bad.
In March of 2014, I had a slowpitch tournament up in Mount Vernon, WA. I remember, in our first game, we played a team with a witty 2nd baseman. I didn't notice it at the time, but he was the most chatty with me. Apparently, I ignored him for the most part. Probably in my competitive zone. He was cracking jokes mostly, since I seared a few right by his face. :)
As the day came to an end, I talked with my bff, Jen. Isn't she purdy?!
I don't know how she brought it up, but she pointed to a handsome guy in the dugout that was nearby. Mentioned he was single, he stays in shape, and is really nice. Little miss match maker....
Well, I was feeling feisty and told her to give him my number but then immediately retracted that statement. He actually did tell her that he wanted my number. So instead, I told her to give him some hell and tell him that if he wants my number, he has to earn it. He can't spend the whole day not coming over and saying hi, right? And then get a number for free?!
For the next 3 months, we texted here and there. I can't even tell you how many times this guy asked me out. He said he'd even drive south (45 minutes) just for lunch or dinner. Every time I said no. I was scared. At the sake of his emotions and mine, I just let him down easy....multiple times.
Let's fast forward about 3 months. We were playing in a tournament in Sumas, WA. Right on the border to Canada basically. It was a Friday night, we were having a great time, separately, with our friends. I thought he was in a relationship, so I spent a good portion of the night hanging out with my friends...until he pulled me away from the crowd.
Without fear or hesitation, he told me exactly what he felt and his intentions. I have never been approached so honestly, with so much fight, and so much love. Needless to say, we hung out all night long. ALL. NIGHT. LONG. (oh, and he never was in a relationship)
Seriously, I feel asleep in a camping chair at 4 in the morning. Haha. I can honestly say, I fell in love with him that morning. Little did I know, he walked a quarter mile to get me his sleeping bag so I wasn't cold that night. He got up at 5am, and walked my dog without me asking. He genuinely cared and took care of me and my bestest little friend.
He did the same thing the next night, only this time I stole a sweatshirt and rain jacket, haha. Maybe a fanny pack too...why? I don't know, it's a freaking fanny pack! Who wouldn't want to wear one! ;)
We had a date that Sunday night, at his house, and he made dinner. I was only bringing back his jacket, but of course he offered dinner. We talked the whole time. I felt completely and totally comfortable.
That following Wednesday, I invited him to Emily's birthday dinner. Do you know what he did? Brought her a card! He has no idea who this girl is and brought her a birthday card! Before this point, I dated jerks, so this was a HUGE win for him, haha.
As the night came down to an end, we sat in my car and talked for 3 solid hours. I knew he wanted to be with me, so I told him exactly what happened months earlier. I told him how I felt, what I felt then in the car, and what I wanted to avoid and what I'm afraid of. Within those 3 hours we shared stories, intentions and 2 very sweet and passionate kisses. He absolutely swept me off my feet.
In the 4 months prior to this, I had been living with one main thought, "Do what you feel". If it's a mistake, its a mistake. I have made so many mistakes in my life, but in the end? I don't regret a single thing. I either learned from them or they ended up being great memories.
That night, before he left my car, I told him that I wanted to be with him....the rest is history.
He is the most amazing man I have ever had in my life. I have tried to talk myself out of a relationship, tried to find all the flaws and "red flags" that should guide me away...but I found not a damn thing. Every time I tried to play Devil's Advocate, I found a multitude of reasons why he's amazing. The list keeps getting longer. He truly and deeply loves me and my family. He brings out the best in me. It makes him smile when I do my favorite things that make me smile. He helps me, he encourages me, and he just flat out loves me unconditionally.
Yeah...this post is mostly to brag about the most caring and unbelievably unselfish man I've ever met in my life. He's my everything and I would do anything in this world to see him smile. I have never felt a love like this. :)
Who knows why things like this happen. Who knows why I have been through so much hell. Maybe it's to lead us to better things? Maybe it's to make us appreciate things more than we ever would have before? All could be true. When bad things happen, it can either change us or defeat us. Sometimes it's both. Sometimes you get defeated and then change because of it. Whatever the reason or purpose, just know that there's more than one door to walk through. Just because a couple closed up, doesn't mean you can't open a different one.
Take a risk. Life begins outside your comfort zone. That's where I found him and where he found me.
"Sing, like you don't need the money. Love like you'll never get hurt. You gotta dance, dance, dance, like nobody's watching. It's gotta come from the heart if you want it to work."
