(You can check out Part One and Part Two first, if you missed them.)
It all felt too good to be true. I couldn’t believe that “the one that got away” actually still loved me, and we had a chance to make it work again. Of course, 600 miles between Tennessee and Pennsylvania separated us, but after everything else we’d overcome, a few miles of pavement seemed like nothing.
I started casually looking for a job back home in Pennsylvania early in 2010. My hopes weren’t high because my hometown’s job market is in sad shape, like much of the country. I was shocked when a friend told me his company was hiring. I did a phone interview and in a whirlwind I was hired and packing my backs to move home!
I moved home in April, and took up residence in to my parents’ guest room. (It was kind of embarrassing, after having been out on my own for so long, but it helped me save some money till I got my house in Tennessee rented.) Mike and I finally had the chance to date because we finally lived in the same town. And OH the fun we had! (And still have…) Most people would probably think we’re strange, but we both enjoy spending our time doing the silliest things: going to Barnes and Noble to peruse the tattoo magazines, playing Scrabble, or just going for a drive to nowhere.
We spent a whole lot of time doing nothing and getting to know each other all over again. There were hard times thrown in too: at one point Mike lost his job and was unemployed for several months. It was incredibly hard on him, and stressful on our relationship, but we made it through. It was good to experience hard times along with the good.
In October, we moved in together. Again, as we signed the rental paperwork for our little house, I found myself in complete disbelief: how could I be so lucky to be with this man I love so much?! (And moving in together, no less!)
Then he proposed (*squee!*) on Memorial Day weekend, 2011. Of course, I said yes.
Even after knowing each other for 12 years, dating for about two years, and living together for several months, I still look at him and get butterflies in my stomach (and that’s no exaggeration). I feel absolutely blessed to have him as my partner. He is my strength when I am weak, my clown when I’m down and need to laugh, and my best friend when I feel alone.
I’m a lucky girl.
