six years

Dear Justin,

Happy birthday. Six years ago we were meeting in person for the very first time. A month and a half of emails, IM's, and laggy video chats all led up to this moment. When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday, all you said was, "To see you."

(And to think that now we've graduated from the grand gesture birthday gifts to signed copies of your favorite author's new book and funny t-shirts.)

But I still remember that week like it was yesterday. It started off like any other Monday... I got up and went to work as usual, but I kept pacing around Adrian's once the clock struck two because I knew you were in town. You were in your hotel room three blocks away, waiting for me to get done with work at four. I remember you sent me an email asking me if I had seen your mom's green Honda Civic drive by and I was mad that I didn't because I was pacing in excitement.

I'll never forget the butterflies in my stomach as I knocked on the door for the first time. I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. All my nerves melted away when you opened the door. Seeing you for the first time was like my heart came out and said, "Oh, here you are. This is where I'm always meant to be."

I've always more or less considered this week to be our second anniversary. It's always going to be special to me.

Now, the real question is: are we watching Naruto tonight or not?

Happy birthday, baby.
xo, Anna