~November 12~
I’s kind of crazy to think that 8 years have passed since you first called me your girlfriend. It seems like just yesterday, we were driving to the mall to shop at Abercrombie and snack on Auntie Ann’s Pretzels and Todd’s Frozen Yogurt. (Strawberry & Wedding Cake swirled to be exact) That’s what we considered a “date” back then. We were just kids – not a care in the world, it was so simple, so carefree.
Then college came, you left a year earlier than me and I still had a year left of High School. I felt like my heart was torn in two. Someone I had spent every single day with for the past year, was now 75 miles away. When you’re 17, it feels like they’re across the globe. Half the year went by and then it just became too hard. We were young, we needed a break, we needed to make sure it was right. We spent a couple of months apart and it was the worst, best, most complicated, tearful 2 months of my life. We didn’t talk during that time which made it even more difficult.
When I finally ran into you, we both just gave each other that look. The “You go ahead and do your thing, I’ll do mine, I’m still me – You’re still you.” I’ll never forget that feeling – just plain nerves, the lump in my throat and shortness of breath when seeing you was overwhelming. It was no surprise that not long after, we found our way back into each others lives. I knew it from the beginning that we would, simply because you were unlike any other guy I’d ever met.
The years have passed and we’ve been through numerous ups and downs, just like any couple. It’s all been a learning experience and its made us who we’ve become today. You’re there for me when the road gets bumpy and life gets hard. You listen to me, you understand me, you just GET ME! The good days filled with nothing but laughter and smiles and even the ones where you tell me “I’m being sassy and wayy too Italian” to even handle!
You have always been supportive of me and the career that I have chosen. I just wish you liked to have your picture taken more often! :P I owe much of my success to you and my family for always being there for me. The first couple of years in business are supposed to be tough, but because of ya’ll – I’ve had it easy. Thanks for loving and caring for me no matter what.
As my eyes well up with tears as I finish typing this, I just wanted to say I love you. Whenever I’m at the mall and stop to get Todd’s Yogurt, I still think about the way it was back then and realize not much has changed. We will always be “Jen & Randy”, just like we were at 17, just older, wiser and more in love. The reason it’s lasted is because we haven’t lost sight of one thing: “You’ll always be you, and I’ll always be me.”
7 months from today, I’ll meet you at the alter :)
