Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

[....Annnnnd some change....] How do you measure, measure a year?  Measure in love.

Two weeks ago C and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary.  Our first year together has been incredible!  Our relationship has been both challenging and engaging, we have grown as individuals, and as a couple.  You know the funny thing though?  I think we both knew that first night, that this is where we would be in our hearts in a year. 

I could just tell, even during our initial awkward cautiousness that first meeting.  And I definitely knew the moment he stole that first kiss.  Our date had only just begun...we had just gotten on our hayride at the pumpkin patch.  C had already pulled the oh-so-smooth arm around the shoulder move, and seated hip-to-hip, shoulder-to-shoulder there on that bail of hay I felt it coming, and the instant it happened, there was no questioning what we had found.  This was different.  It wasn't the obligatory "first date: I had a great time," kiss, and it wasn't the skeezy "I really only want one thing," kiss.   When C kissed me that first time, everything about that kiss was saying "I just HAVE to kiss her because I'm so glad I found her and she's here with me tonight, and I just need her to know!"  Later that night over dinner we had the DTR talk, and there was no mistaking that we were both very serious about growing and preserving this new relationship.

To celebrate this incredible year, C planned a big surprise for me, and we had one of the best weekends EVER!  C had planned this for months, and all I knew was that we were getting dressed up (I had to wear cocktail attire), and that we were going out of town.  I bugged him the next few months trying to draw more clues out of him.  When the big day came I was so excited to don my new LBD that I bought JUST for this date.  I couldn't wait to see him in his new suit.  I couldn't wait to go out all dolled up.  We rode off for our evening of fun and arrived in Richmond.  There we walked a few blocks to the first surprise...dinner at Edo's Squid (sounds gross right?).  This place had some of the most delicious authentic Italian cuisine I've had the privilege to eat, delicious pasta followed by mouth-watering tiramisu.   At dinner we exchanged our gifts.  I surprised C with tickets to an up-coming Caps hockey game, and C surprised me with tickets for the National Tour of Wicked at the Landmark Theater that night!  Full, excited, and ahead of schedule we sauntered around the streets of Richmond periodically stopped by VCU students, or other random passers-by who felt compelled to tell us how great we looked, how beautiful my dress was, and ask where we were off to dressed like we were.  We felt like super models (at least I did)...let's just say...we were HOT!

We managed to find a little bar near the theater...now we must note...we were a tad overdressed for most of the places we went...and this bar was no exception, but we met one of the coolest guys there.  The guy talked to C about working for the national park service because his father worked for Yellowstone.  We talked about making things happen for ourselves and doing what we set out to do, this guy was truly remarkable and I do hope we run into each other again sometime.  After sipping a few drinks we made our way back to the theater to take our seats for the show.  The show was amazing, and being there with HIM was the best part.  He is truly my dream.  I couldn't believe the lengths he went to to give me such a special evening.  Add these to the list of reasons he is amazing: 1. he surprises me, and 2. he enjoys the theater too and will actually TAKE me to see shows!

And yet our amazing weekend did not end there.  The following day we drove back to Richmond for the state fair where we enjoyed the most beautiful day!  We had sunshine, fresh air, exercise, cute baby animals, delicious...bad for you food, and a great performance by The Band Perry.  We almost came home with a bunny...but thought better of it.  All in all the perfect culmination of our incredible first year together, and the best kick off to another year together. 

 "We're perfect together.  Born to be forever dancing through life!"  C, you are the best!