Neal & I ~ Chateau Chantal Winery, Traverse City, MI ~ October 2012
Neal and I are getting ready to celebrate one year since our second 1st date this weekend. He calls it our first date since the real first date a year or so before didn't really take (remember, I was really hot for who I came to realize was a super douchey dude) AND since that place burned down (Glenwood South icon, The Hibernian).
I've dated pretty steadily since my first boyfriend in college. Jocks, nerds, military, fraternity, loners..all types and I thought I'd seen it all. Until Neal. It sounds so cliche: "when you know, you just know," but true. Now, I can't say for sure that when I saw him that second time (this time at Raleigh Times) that I knew we would be where we are today. But, I knew something was different from that first side hug..whether it was me, him or the situation. It was just easy. And, here we are a year later.
Our relationship hasn't been perfect but what one is? I thoroughly enjoy his company, he enjoys my cooking and we enjoy each other (among other things). He is one of the nicest guys I've ever known but not in a doormat kind of way. He's smart. He's handsome. As my mother puts it, "he has a nice smile." He likes sports (especially Michigan State). He makes me want to be better. I've probably said that before & it's also another cliche, but one that's totally true. I mean it through and through. He's quite kind and treats me well, probably better than anyone else. Before him, I was a New Belgium snob and now, my tastebuds have been enjoying what Michigan brews (Bell's). Quite simply, I love him.
I count him a blessing and God's timing as way better than mine. I think if we'd tried after the first-first date, we wouldn't have worked. I was different, my priorities were different, I wasn't really into "serious" relationships...and here I am: in a serious, monogamous relationship; and loving it! :) It's amazing really...how the choices we make, however insignificant they may seem in the moment, can really change your life.
Our relationship hasn't been perfect but what one is? I thoroughly enjoy his company, he enjoys my cooking and we enjoy each other (among other things). He is one of the nicest guys I've ever known but not in a doormat kind of way. He's smart. He's handsome. As my mother puts it, "he has a nice smile." He likes sports (especially Michigan State). He makes me want to be better. I've probably said that before & it's also another cliche, but one that's totally true. I mean it through and through. He's quite kind and treats me well, probably better than anyone else. Before him, I was a New Belgium snob and now, my tastebuds have been enjoying what Michigan brews (Bell's). Quite simply, I love him.
I count him a blessing and God's timing as way better than mine. I think if we'd tried after the first-first date, we wouldn't have worked. I was different, my priorities were different, I wasn't really into "serious" relationships...and here I am: in a serious, monogamous relationship; and loving it! :) It's amazing really...how the choices we make, however insignificant they may seem in the moment, can really change your life.
I pinned this today...Just simply true. :)
