The Story of Us

Today is our 5 year anniversary. It has been a very rough 5 years, filled with lots of joy and sadness, but we have made it through. I don't think many of you know the story of Jason and I, so I thought it would be a nice day to share it.

Back in college (late 90s), I finally got my own apartment! I was very excited to move out of the dorms, but at night, it did get a bit lonely. I had saved up enough money (working almost full-time and going to school) to buy a cheap computer, so I got one and finally had the Internet at home. I love games, especially card games, so I quickly found my way to Yahoo Games. I had learned how to play Spades at a summer program I had attended, so I played a lot of that. I don't know if you all are familiar with that, but you basically go into a room and play with other people online. It can be frustrating because you can end up with a bad partner or people who leave in the middle of a game. One night Jason ended up being my partner. We played very well together and had a nice time chatting while we were playing. We agreed to meet up and play together again. We did that for a while, then moved on to staying up all night just chatting on ICQ (an old instant messaging program). I don't know how many times I went to class with little or no sleep after staying up all night talking with him.

We sent gifts and cards back and forth from Texas to Kentucky for a while, but we would lose touch and then reconnect quite a bit as we both moved around, changed schools, jobs, etc. We still managed to keep in touch, but it did get spotty at times. I remember one Valentine's Day I came home to find the most beautiful flower arrangement on my doorstep. I had always hated that holiday, but that was one of the best holidays. He knew I loved purple, so the vase was purple. He had also sent me some chocolates in a beautiful Disney Mickey Mouse gift basket (I LOVED Mickey).

Anyway.... I moved to West Virginia for graduate school and we still kept in touch a little when we could. When I couldn't reach him, I'd call and talk to his wonderful Nana. She eventually persuaded him to fly up to meet me. This was probably in 2001 maybe? I am bad with dates right now. My friends Brandi and Dustin went to the airport with me to get him. I think we were so comfortable with each other from the beginning. I know I had already fallen for him way before then and I think he felt the same way. We had a great visit and he continued to come visit me when he could. I even came down to Texas to spend a Thanksgiving and meet his family.

When it was time for me to graduate, I looked for jobs in Texas. He was in school and couldn't move, so I was going to make the big jump and be the one to move. I got a job offer in Houston, took it, and he came up with his cousin and moved my stuff down a few days after graduation. We found a tiny apartment and the rest is history! I never planned on getting married; I thought I was destined to be the crazy cat lady. It took an amazing man to change my mind. I have never met anyone I feel so comfortable around, that I smile just thinking about, that can comfort me with just a few words. He is the best man and husband I know. I love him more and more each year. Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Since being married Jason has lost both of his parents, I lost my papaw, and we lost Eli. It has been a tough road, but we are surviving it all together.