A Month in Alabama

Today marks one full month that Justin has been in Alabama - wow. I could post about how this month has been for me, but I thought it would be more interesting - and better fitting - if I had Justin write out what it's been like to live in Alabama for a month. After all, he's gone from a California city where he could walk almost everywhere to my small Alabama town where you could walk to the post office but it would take you like an hour - you have to drive everywhere. He's gone from city lights to fireflies and constant sirens to neighbor kids laughing in the quiet neighborhood. I'm sure it's been a big adjustment, but he seems to be handling it well and I can't wait to read what he writes.

So, let's see...

-

Today marks my first month in Alabama and what a month it has been. New people, new places, and so many stores I've never heard of. But best of all, I'm with my wonderful girlfriend. It's surreal, in a way, finally being together. I still find myself thinking it's a dream or forgetting I'm not getting back on a plane and going back to California. I'm here for good. We're together at last and I love it! She's been so supportive and helpful with me adjusting. She even cleared out a drawer for me in the bathroom! Things haven't been going 100% how I would have liked them, though. I hoped to have a job by now and be able to support us, but that's proven to be far more difficult than I thought. It's my biggest stressor. I think about it constantly and it makes me feel like a failure. But then there she is, hugging me and telling me it'll be OK. If it wasn't for her, I'd be going insane. I've had a few interviews, including one tomorrow. I just hope it works out. But I know that no matter what, she has my back. I'm excited for the future. I'm excited for OUR future. I'm so happy to feel like part of a family again. And her family is amazing. Her parents are awesome and supportive and helpful. I'm endlessly grateful for them letting me stay with them while I get everything situated. I'm also glad that they like me. That's a very good thing. It's such a great feeling, being able to hold Brittany and be there for her when she's anxious or sad. I love being together. Little things like grocery shopping and cleaning mean so much more because we're together. I love being able to surprise her with flowers in person, rather than having them delivered. I can go on forever about this stuff, but it would never convey how much I love being with her. This move has been long overdue and even though some things aren't going as planned, I will never regret it. I'm with the woman I love and so happy. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

The Greatest of 6 Year Olds.

This past week was so. crazy. Last week of school meant award ceremonies, field days, field trips, it was Zoe's birthday on the 20th, we had family friends come in Thursday and left Saturday morning and then Saturday afternoon we hosted Zoe's birthday party and Sunday the 24th was mine and Justin's three year dating anniversary. Anyone else need a nap? We sure do. It's nice to be that busy sometimes (okay, maybe not that busy) because it changes my focus and shuts my overactive mind off some. Plus, her party was a big hit.
Emmy did pretty decent with all the strangers as long as I told everyone to not try to pet her and ignore her. Once everyone ignored her and no kids were trying to touch her (strangers coming at her make her panic still) then she plopped down under the table outside and took a nap and watched everyone quietly. In the house she was growling a lot, so we tried to keep her outside with everyone or I sat with her inside when no one else was in there. Major puppy victory, I think.
Yay for happiness - and for family/friends who seem to like Justin almost as much as I do and who have accepted him with no issues at all. Maybe one day the people in his life will do the same to me.

Happiness from 3,000 Miles Away

Ideally, making someone happy from 3,000 miles away shouldn't be the easiest thing. But in my LDR I found myself the happiest I had been with a guy. I had been in very not-so-great relationships before I met Justin. But from the start, we just clicked. He told me things I needed to hear even when I didn't realize it. He supported me. He was nice. It was all new to me, being with someone nice and that gave a damn. The longer we went being far apart the harder some things got but it also made us stronger. We had to connect on a level where the physical side had to wait. Looking back, I'm really glad we had to. We learned so much about each other and talked and connected on levels that, when visits finally happened, just made the physical side effortless. We knew each other really well before meeting in person and nothing was awkward at all when we were finally together. Communication is, of course, important, but there were a lot of things he did that made (and still make) me happy, even when he was 3,000 miles away instead of, currently, in my kitchen.

He complimented me and not just on the way I looked. He complimented the way I thought, the way I did things, my sense of humor, how I would pull the car over to rescue a turtle, how I would get the neighbor's goat's head unstuck from the adjoining fence. Little things I never thought about and just did were suddenly brought to my attention in a good way. Things that I thought were normal or that most people would do, he would tell me I'm the only person he knows that would do them (which is kind of a bummer when it comes to rescuing the turtles) or that I was literally the kindest person he knew (also a bummer - why aren't people nicer?).

He sent surprises. Everyone likes presents, but when you're having a really, really shitty week and the doorbell rings and it's a dozen roses from your boyfriend 3,000 miles away who sent them just to cheer you up, well, you know you've met someone amazing. He never had to send anything. I never asked. I never expected anything, really. In his life, he doesn't celebrate much, so when he would send flowers or other things with no occasion it meant so much to me.

The distance didn't mean no happiness. It just meant a more creative happiness. Movie dates over the phone, dinner over Skype, sending pictures of things we came across during our day. There were tons of little things we did to stay connected. Being long distance is not a death sentence. It's just a way to think outside the box when it comes to your relationship. And I think we did pretty good considering how things have worked out. Did I mention he's in my kitchen right now? <3


Inspired by this LDR Writing Prompt: Happiness

Closing the Long Distance Romance Gap

As some of you know, my boyfriend Justin of 2.5 years finally flew in last Saturday. Up until then it was strictly long distance, him in California and me here in Alabama. I picked him up along with my parents, my niece and Charlie the Chihuahua. He stayed for almost a week and things were pretty amazing.

Zoe (my niece) LOVED him. And Charlie, who usually hates men and growls/barks at them for a long time was immediately in Justin's lap. He slept in his lap a lot that night and didn't mind being close to him at all. Kids and animals have great radars, so for both to be so taken with him so quickly was lovely. I wasn't even invited to play with Zoe and Justin. She wanted him all to herself. I didn't even get a, 'good morning, Aunt B' I got a, 'Where's Justin?" And when she went home on Sunday and he wasn't awake to say goodbye, she almost cried and made him a goodbye card, sucker included. So. Sweet.

He stayed at my house through Tuesday and then moved to a hotel. I have an irrational hotel phobia so I didn't stay there much. We hung out at my house or around town mostly. I showed him the 'high points' which aren't super interesting. But he's a big craft beer guy, so we did head downtown to the Straight to Ale brewery. The guys there were really nice and I recommend a visit if you're around downtown Huntsville. We also hit up the flag line at the Wounded Warrior greeting. My parents are part of the motorcycle escort every year, so we went in support.
It was all just nice, sharing day to day things and talking and being close.

I was way more comfortable with him than I imagined. Even my parents were floored with how comfortable and relaxed we were together. My parents loved him, by the way. Everyone got along, everyone enjoyed each other's company. It couldn't have gone better except either he brought plane germs or we all shared Zoe's virus because everyone had a mild cold/flu for most of the week. But that aside - perfection.

Zoe and Justin playing. Me not invited. <3

I mean. <3 <3 <3

I got up Monday to him helping my mom put up Halloween decorations. He volunteered. Major parent brownie points.

Graffiti at a cotton gin.

Around town exploring.

Can't get back to him fast enough.

<3

The Truth About Girls, From A Guy.

I was e-mailed this little survey type thing

that you're supposed to get a guy to answer.
It's basically a tag but the person that sent it doesn't have a blog.

It's various things about girls and whatnot,

from a guy's POV.

Enter, boyfriend.

I know, I haven't told any of y'all about him. Sorry!
I'm awaiting the e-mails and messages saying, "Facebook still says you're single! You're in so much trouble!"
So send away, it's okay.
I've been keeping him a secret for various reasons.

My parents didn't even know about him until, oh, two months into the relationship?
Hopefully the secret part won't have to stay so secret for too much longer.
Then I can actually tell you guys about him without any fear.

But he's amazing (like, seriously), and I want to keep him,

so he's officially making his debut on the blog.
Readers, boyfriend.
Boyfriend, readers.
We'll all have tea and gluten free cookies together someday, okay?

-

The Truth About Girls, From A Guy

Guys hate the following: True or False? (Explain)

Red lipstick: False. I love red lipstick on a woman. 

(Good news for me since it's my favorite.)

Girls making the first move: False. Guys are oblivious. Sometimes we don't pick up on your subtle hints. We need to just be smacked in the face with it sometimes. 

Girls paying for food/drinks: Personally? True. I find so much joy in paying for a girl's food or drink. I'm old school though.

A lot of makeup/Dramatic makeup: True. At least in my circle of friends. I like seeing a woman's face. Not caked on paste. 

The most attractive thing to a guy is confidence: False. Not everyone has confidence in themselves. And there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes a girl needs to be shown how beautiful she is. Even if she doesn't see it in herself.

If you were cheated on, would you give the girl a second chance? It depends on how in love with her I am. But most likely, no.

The best emotion a girl can express towards you is: Love.

Romance is: Kissing. Holding. Touching. Showing love. Being in love. 

Love is: Love. When nothing can tear you apart. No one else matters. Your life is in this person. Your life IS this person.

When girls do/say stupid shit you get really annoyed.

You wish more girls knew  how most guys are absolute douchebags and how beautiful they actually are.

We know most guys like more modest clothes over super slutty ones, but what's something girls wear you just don't understand/don't like? This is a fashion question. Not all women have the same fashion sense, now do they? How can I say that I hate something that girls wear if they don't all wear it?

When you are with a girl, how do you want to feel? In love.

-

Get a feel for the amazingness yet?

I know.

But you can't have him.

I TAG all of you reading this.

Get your guy friend, boyfriend, fiance, husband, etc.,

to do this and leave the link so I can read!