two years ago today... i put on a pretty dress... and made a promise

Eight years ago today, I was thinking about a boy. A boy I had just met the night before at a party I didn't want to go to, but as it turns out... it was the best decision I was ever forced into. :-)

I went back to see that boy later that evening, and never left.

I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into. ;-)

I'm plagiarizing myself, but I can't put it better then I did on our fifth anniversary (updated just a bit).

[8] years (and one day) ago my friend Stella convinced me to go to a party at a fraternity I'd never been to before. It was called Psi Upsilon, and honestly, I didn't want to go. I didn't know anyone, and I didn't think I would have that much fun. But we went. And within 5 minutes of getting in the door, I had met Travis. We hung out that night, long after Stella had left, talking, listening to music, hanging out with his fraternity brothers, and when it was time for me to leave he kissed me, and said "Come Back Tomorrow".

The next day, Friday the 13th, I headed back to Psi U... a little nervous, very excited.
I don't remember exactly what we did that night. Talked some, hung out with the other guys, played Beirut, watched some TV, and listened to some music. Your typical college evening. But I remember, that I knew that this was a guy that I could really go for. And he did too, when he sat me on a bar, and asked me if I would be his girl.
Yes, he really asked, and it was very sweet.

[...] I don't know that I can pinpoint exactly when it was that I realized that I did love him... but somewhere between seeing him cry for the first time, at the thought of going to Pittsburgh for the 3-month summer break (he didn't, he stayed in Philadelphia with his grandfather Willy)... and having him take care of me when I was super sick (he cleaned up my puke, and honestly, at that moment acted as if there was nothing in the world he would rather do)... I did know.

When Psi U became like home, and we had spent sleepless nights unburdening our childhood secrets onto each other.... when we had talked about children and about our hopes... we knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

When he survived meeting my parents, I didn't do anything too stupid through a week with his, and our families found they rather like each other... well, at that point we knew there wasn't anything we couldn't get through.

A lot has changed since then... there's more bills and less booze, mortgages and [a fabulous] marriage instead of homework and hell-raising, and 9-5 instead of 10 until you pass out!... but a lot hasn't changed. He still makes me laugh. I still know that I can go to him with anything. And honestly, no one makes me happier.

[Friday, October 13th came around again in 2006, two amazing years ago. It was a beautiful, sunny day... where we were surrounded by everyone we love. And on that day I happily pledged, once again, to be his girl.] This time, as his wife.


Happy [8] years, my love.
You are my best friend and soul mate, you make me so happy. It hasn't always been easy, but it has always, always, been worth it. Thank you for so many great years. Thank you for all those we have yet to experience.

I Love You... always and forever.

(Ireland 09/07)
(Trav's B-day, 05/08)
(Last night on our hayride!)