...ever ever after...

I watched "The Notebook" for the first time last night. It was not even my idea! Isn't that amazing? The movie has been out for how long? and it's one of the biggest chick flicks out there, but I had never seen it, until last night. Kind of ironic for a girl who LOVES chick flicks...especially since I have even read the book!

Tuesday nights is $1 scoop night at Baskin Robbins. And, ever in search of new traditions, we started one this week! (We will be frequenting B&R in the spirit of this newly found sweet deal.) I went to the "Ladies Christmas Dessert" @ RDFC, where my mom and one of her best friends were hosting a table. And after a rousing round of Christmas Carols, and Coconut Cake the event ended, thus the new Tuesday night tradition began. We started @ B&R where I had my scoop of Daquari Ice in a cup, with a sugar cone, (although, they changed the recipe, and its not nearly as life-changing as it used to be) followed by a few minutes of sitting on the tailgate before we froze to death, then headed home for the movie. I kinda lost it (as I was warned I would) in the arms of my "Noah" as the scenes played out before me. Not because of the story. I have read the book, and knew more details about the true story line than what Hollywood could produce in a couple hours; but I cried for the simple fact that I was watching the Tinsel-town re-enactment of my own life, in many ways. Granted, it is not written about me, and therefore, all the details are all wrong, but the basic plot is the same.

Anyway, it amazed me how similarly it paralleled my life. If you haven't seen it, go get your girl, or guy and a box of tissues and watch it! If you have seen it, then you will probably understand this a little better: It was that best-friendship with an older guy, which escalated into a silly high school romance that ended one day as abruptly as it had begun. I was certain "he" was crazy about me back then. But when it ended without much explanation, and NO hope of friendship, it threw me into a bitter spiral. We didn't speak for years! (even though we went to church together, and he was a small group leader in the youth group) We both avoided each other at all costs. No eye contact, no mutual friendships that brought us near each other, and most definitely NO small talk. It was as though we were invisible to the other...pretending the other didn't matter in the least anymore. Incredible, to this day (4 and a half years later), I still have no idea how we managed to stay so far removed from each others lives. The years passed other relationships faded in and out, and yet we individually spied on each other through friends, and internet networks, unknowing that the other was doing the exact same thing. Fortunately (looking back however, because at the time it seemed rather unfortunate) we shared one mutual friend in particular. He has played an important role in our story. He kept us updated on the other, and despite the facade, he kept us interested the each other's lives. Thanks Brian! :) Anyways, long story short (there is more history than I could explain in a novella, much less a blog!), my "noah" found me again. And honestly, I have had an amazing time with him! I had forgotten how similar we were/are, until he waltzed back into my life. We share the same hopes, and dreams, and adventurous spirit. But most importantly, we share the same passion for our Savior! We can go to church then mull over everything we heard on the drive home. He LOVES to be adventurous, and spontaneous! It's so much fun to wonder what's next. He's artistic, appreciates my random photo-oriented sight, and inspires me to be creative. I am enamored with the way we can spend an entire day together, and it passes us by in moments, marked with inspiring conversation, and flirtateous, fun-loving teasing, and simple giddiness. I love that he knows how important family is to me, and that maintaining a good relationship, and spending time with them will always be a priority. Even the simplest thing of dropping off a cup of coffee for me to wake up with on his way to work makes my day start wonderfully. We are getting to know each other again, and in some ways, he is not the same boy who broke my heart so many years ago. He has matured (some ;) just teasing!) and become a Godly man in all the ways he should. But, then again, he is exactly the same boy I fell for a long time ago. He used to make me giggle like a little girl (he does now, more than ever), and I always felt myself around him...not like I needed to be someone I wasn't just to impress him....and although that didn't work out so well the first time, it's amazing now. Obviously we are both older, have more "life-experience," and so on, but beyond that, its more real.

I'm not going to lie....its scary! It's a leap of faith I'm not sure I'm ready to take yet...but there seems to be something pulling me toward him (well, something besides his dashingly good looks, and charismatic charm, that is). We were sitting in my car, after coffee tonight (our mutual reliance on coffee is simply an excuse to hang out), and he said, "before you go home, I want to pray with you. No particular reason, just do!" Which is awesome in and of itself, but less than a minute before he made that statement, I found myself thinking, "hmmm, to top off a wonderful last hour, we should pray together before we leave!"

Seriously!? who thinks those kinds of things at the exact same moment? Only two people that have been rooted in the same thoughts for so long a time. Call it coincidence, call it chance, call it fate...or whatever you like, but that sort of thing happens ALL the time to us. The history that spans the years is incredible. We have done everything together, from playing the old Mario Bros. on the old Nintendo, to ice blocking, snowboarding, going to dances, and double dates (not as each others date mind you...); from thrift store shopping, to playing volleyball...and most recently, from bike rides on the beach, to ice skating in LA to Disneyland, and Christmas parties. Through all these years, beyond all the bitterness, and frustration, and dodging/avoidance, and past all the trials of other relationships, we have managed to reconnect. And though it still feels dream-like, I do believe it's reality. It could even be "Ever After..."