what is love?

Today marks the day I have been with my wonderful boyfriend for a whole 7 years. 

That's right, I said 7 years. I have been with him for literally 1/3 of my life. Guys, I'm pretty sure in some states we are common law married. 

So this is a tribute blog to my best friend, my partner in crime, and my knight and shining armor. 

We were so lucky to have met so early in life (I was 14, him 16) and to have the opportunity to grow up together. We have been through high school together, cheering him on whenever he'd get a touchdown, we've been through a summer of lineman school (the electric kind, not football kind), we've been through a super depressing college freshman year (it was rough folks), and now we are here. Me, in my last year at school and finishing up graduate school, and him, after just buying a nice home and venturing off into adulthood. 

This is the type of thing I love about life and love. God puts you in the most perfect situations sometimes, and I just think it is awesome. I would have never fathomed that my first kiss would be my last, and honestly, I'm thinking that's what is going to happen with him (knock on wood).

I have always been realistic about the situations we have been in. I mean, to start dating at such a young age (I mean, 14? I was a BABY) it is hard to even fathom that a couple can last through all of the changes associated with "growing up." College, the first jobs, being away from each other for extended periods of time, personality changes, the fact that your brain LITERALLY ISN'T EVEN DEVELOPED YET (shout-out to my cognition slp's out there). 

Luckily I am here now. And I don't think I really have to worry about our brains changing any more (we are at the end of the age where that frontal lobe is developing, so I think I made it!) and as we get older I love him more and more every. single. day. 

I always had to remind myself through all of these changes, that it is OKAY if we were to not work out. I mean, when you are in a relationship so young you have two choices: Either grow together, or grow apart. The key there is growing. You change, it is inevitable, and luckily for us we were blessed to grow together and still maintain the interest and love towards one another. 

I still remember the first dance we had, and I remember how nervous I was to fathom talking to a Junior football player when I was a measly little freshman who had never even had her first kiss. But he was the sweetest boy I could come into contact with, and now he has grown into the sweetest man I know. 

We've been through 4 proms, 8 homecoming dances, like 14 billion dates, spending time at the lake together every summer for the past 6 years (did I mention somehow we both HAVE A COTTAGE AT THE SAME LAKE. ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER. Can you say fate?), 100 trillion forehead kisses, a few vacations, countless hugs, too many good-byes, not enough hellos, getting our first jobs, getting degrees, quitting jobs, making new friends (together), and so, so, so much more. 

There isn't enough room to explain the life that I have been lucky to live with him. I literally feel like the luckiest person in the world to have the opportunity to be with such an amazing man. He's my rock. Literally. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty independent (I mean he does refer to me as "the Boss") but I never find myself completely comfortable when I am without him. 

So, with that all said, I just want to thank you, Bug, for being with me through all of these changes and going through this adventure called life, with me. 

Love you so much, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to spend the rest of my life with you. 

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