HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY BRIAN!!
I don't really know where to begin this post because there is so much I could say about this incredible guy! I know it's totally cliche but my husband truly is my best friend in the whole world.
He has seen me at my lowest lows and highest highs, he has held my hand through trying times and laughed with me until our sides hurt. He has been there when it felt like no one else was and has been my biggest cheerleader - whether I'm competing in a triathlon or on the figure stage. He understands me even when I don't, and he has a way of making me see his side when he knows I'm totally wrong. He's handsome and funny, thoughtful and kind, he's smart and confident, loving and loyal. I truly couldn't ask for a better partner in life or a father for my son.
Brian and I met 15 years ago (seems like a lifetime) when I was just an awkward freshman in high school. We were both considered band geeks although I was more geek than he. My parents had a very strict dating policy so when my freshman semi-formal rolled around they finally allowed me to go "on a date" And who you ask was the "lucky" guy? Yup! Brian! Now truth be told (which he shared with me only years later), he only agreed to go with me that year to pull "the sweep" - when you attend all the formal and semi-formal dances for each grade in one season. He was originally supposed to go with a classmate of mine who luckily for me, decided at the last minute she wanted to go with someone else.
We attended the semi-formal with a group of my guy friends and their dates - who just all happened to be girl friends of Brian. We arrived for group photos and man was I overdressed! All the girls (being juniors and seniors) had done the semi-formal thing before so opted for sundresses and simple hair styles. I however had gone out and purchased an LBD with sequined straps, silver sparkly high heels and had my friend Marissa style my hair into a braided headband with a pile of curls ... over done? Maybe, but still in 1998 standards I looked HOT! We had a great time with our friends and I was so happy that Brian had been my date.
After that night we sort of went our separate ways again. We had a very few mutual friends but were able to stay in touch during band class and football games (where our marching band performed). Outside of school hours we weren't close by any means and when he graduated in 2000 I was pretty sure that was the last I would see of him.
I should stop here and mention that my mother, in her all knowing way, told me that I should "marry that Brian" someday! (yes mum I'm giving you credit!)
Returning to our story... I graduated from high school in 2002 and moved to Burlington VT to attend UVM. While there I, admittedly, became friendly with a few bartenders/bouncers in town and was able to sneak into the bars on weekends (sorry mum & dad). While I do not in anyway promote underage drinking or dishonesty, in my case it ended up being one of the best things I could have done.
In 2004 while the Red Sox were in the midst of their battle for the pennant against the always hated New York Yankees, I happened to be hanging out at a local bar that I didn't typically frequent (to remain anonymous due to my confessional) with some friends. While I was outside having a pre-game cigarette (again sorry mum & dad) my friend Zach began chatting up a few guys who were waiting in line. As I approached them I realized much to my surprise that one of those guys happened to be Brian! To say I was shocked was an understatement. Here was this guy who had been my first serious high school crush just hanging out in downtown Burlington at the same bar as me. We shared an awkward hug hello before introducing each other to our cohorts.
Fast forward past a couple more beers and a bet between friends (the kind of bet that will remain a secret), Brian and I became inseparable. We spent the remainder of that weekend together and I was smitten. It wasn't something we readily admitted to each other and when he left town a few days later I was fairly certain that I would never hear from him again.
I continued about my life the best I could when he was all I could think about, but determined not to be "that girl" I didn't contact him. So I was THRILLED when a received a text a few days later that just said "Hey pretty girl. Hope you are having a good week"... I was a goner! We began talking nightly on the phone for literally hours on end and within a few short weeks Brian told me he was falling in love with me.
Due to some personal circumstances and my desire to be closer to him, I made the decision to move home a little over a month later right around Thanksgiving. Once I was home we became immersed in each others lives in such a natural way it felt like we'd always been together. Much to our parents dismay, only because they felt it was too soon, we moved in together the beginning of the following year and the rest as they say is history. We were engaged on May 6th, 2007 and married the following July.
I like to think that even though we weren't together all through high school that in our own way we were high school sweethearts. It's nice that we are able to say we knew each other "back when" and that we share a lot of the same memories of growing up.
If someone had told either of us at that high school dance all those years ago that we'd be married with a baby on the way we would have told them they were crazy, but here we are and I wouldn't change one second of it for the world!
So happy birthday again my darling, my hero, my love - I can't wait to celebrate another 31 years with you!! I am honored and proud to be your "Pretty Girl"
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