Most of All I Like Liking You

When We Met

December 31, 2009—I show up an hour late to meet him. He mentions my blog within the first five minutes. I decide he is witty, interesting, and a gentleman. He decides I’m quirky, artsy, and enjoyable. He decides to ask for my number. I decide to give it to him as he’s dropping me off at 3:30am.

We both seem to independently and simultaneously decide to not play the waiting game.

January 1, 2010—Joe picks me up and takes me to a dueling-piano bar (coolest date ever). I order water and he chuckles. He mentions Duchamp and takes me to the Freemont Troll. He puts his hand on the small of my back while walking across the street. I decide I’m interested. For these and many reasons.

And the reasons just kept coming.

January—Joe and I exchange the first of over 500 e-mails. And Joe calls for the first time. We talk about eggplants while I’m at the grocery store. The phone became an integral part of our always-long-distance relationship.

February 13, 2010—Joe gives me an early Valentine’s gift, a vegetarian cookbook. I hate vegetables but Joe is supportive of my goal to eat and like vegetables. He’s shown again and again how much he supports whatever I’m interested in. I have a shiny new yellow yoga mat and seven hours of yoga instruction to prove it.

February 14, 2010—Joe gives me a real Valentine’s gift. I thought he would never kiss me. I realize I care a lot about Joe.

April 2010— Joe and I begin seeing each other on a regular basis as we start living in the same when we start living in the same state. He brings me the first of many bouquets of flowers. I’m more impressed when he brings my sister a bouquet. I send Joe weekly thank-you cards. I discover Joe is a phenomenal cook. Joe discovers I take pleasure in insignificant things. I learn Joe knows a lot about a lot of things. Joe learns I don’t play team sports but make great tortellini soup. I begin to learn what makes Joe tick. Joe begins to see what makes me come alive.

May 2010—We make a few pretty big moves.

June 2010—I discover six hours in a plane can be fun when shared with Joe.

July 2010—We discover being together is not optional. And take this really great picture.

September 2010—Joe and I take a nine-hour road trip and still love each other by the end. I find out Joe likes podcasts, jerky, and talking on road trips. I like those things too. But Joe aslo finds out I like sleeping on road trips. We find out we are good at making us both happy.

Day We Got Engaged

November 2010—Joe begins a series of big weekend surprises. 1) Visiting me at school for the weekend. 2) A six-hour drive for a visit of three. 3) Hiding behind a car when he’s supposed to be out of the country. 4) A ring more beautiful than I could ever imagine and a feeling of happiness and peace I didn’t know was possible when the realization sinks in that I get to marry my best friend.