happy anniversary

can you believe it's been 9 years already? it seems like yesterday that i was running home to my mom to tell her that i liked this boy from school. it seems like yesterday when i looked out the window to my house to see him arriving to the school across the street to play basketball and telling her "that's him! that's him!"

it also seems like it hasn't been that long since our first kiss, which immediately after i went to my best friend's house and spilled all of the details to her and her mom...and we jumped up and down in giddiness.

then i think about how much time has passed since we moved into our first apartment and lived on macaroni and our special "potatoes, meat and corn" concoction.

then i realize that we have spent 7 years already in virginia...it's crazy how time flies.

all i know is that i can't think of anyone i would have rather spent it with.

bradley is my best friend, my shoulder to cry on, my biggest cheerleader and the person that i love traveling the journey of life with.

what i really want to share is what i've learned along the way...

• tell each other how we feel...when we haven't we've felt disconnected and bitter
• take time out to spend time together...in all of our adventures, we forget to slow down and and take care of each other sometimes
• we are each others place to fall...some days i just need to fall down and be caught...it's the most wonderful feeling that i can just fall apart and get it out and he is there to pick up the pieces of me and help me put them back together
• he supports everything i do...whatever my heart desires, he builds up my confidence and assures me if it's what i want to do, he's there
• still be a kid sometimes....sometimes we do silly things, immature things and it keeps us grounded and laughing...there can never be too much laughing

i'm sure there are others, but i am really pooped from this week...but i still wanted to take time out of my day and remember why i love this man so much. we are by no means perfect, but i feel like every year gets better. it's also a great compliment when friends say they envy our relationship. i like that people see that we try to be the best we can together.

i love you, bradley

p.s. he also sent me flowers at work today, even though he is out of town this week...isn't he great? :)