♥ 7 years of unconditional LOVE ♥

Today, January 27th, is Brian and I's 7 year anniversary!

7 years ago, today, Brian asked me to "go out" with him and be his girlfriend. It was our junior year in high school. I was 16, about to turn 17 in April. Brian had just turned 18, five days before on January 22nd. (He just turned 25, 5 days ago from today! He's now a quarter century old!)

On August 13th, 2003, Brian walked into the subway in our hometown. He was a new, hot boy in my life. The new kid in school. He happened to walk in with my ex-boyfriend, to grab a sandwich in between his two-a-day football practice. I was working there over the summer, wearing my korny subway uniform with the smell of food lingering (I was making his food before he even knew it). He was sweaty, stinky, dirty, and so beyond steamy. I can still remember exactly how he looked. I was in love. Immediately my heart started racing, my body got all hot and bothered, and then I started sweating too. I wanted to have him all to myself. I wanted dibs...lol.

I quickly asked my ex who this stud was, and Brian replied quickly with "I'm Brian Lee". I melted right then and there. I had always wanted to date a Brian and he had a last name that was easy and smooth, and went really well with my first name. I was already planning out our future from the moment I met him.

We quickly flirted and then he was off to eat. A couple of visits of lunch later, I asked for his number, and he had no problem giving it to me. From then on we were inseperable, until high school drama got stirred up, and he didn't like the fact that everyone thought we were together and going out.

Long story short, he called me annoying to my friends and I overheard the conversation, I ignored him, dated 2 other guys, he went out with a friend of mine for a few months while I ignored him, they broke up, he stalked me, and called me daily, for the entire month of December {while I was still ignoring him}, his birthday came around and all of a sudden my mom made me answer his 5th phone call for the night. He just wanted to hang out, so we did.

Days later, my best friend and maid of honor, dared me to go out with him if he asked, for revenge. Days later, he asked, and I was ready to stab him in the back for hurting me. 2 weeks later, he whispered 'I love you' into my ear during the halftime of the superbowl {the year the Janet Jackson fiasco happened}. I was shocked. I wasn't ready. I had just gotten out of a horrible, abusive relationship with a 21 year old guy and was scared.

I told him that I needed time, and within a matter of days, I realized how much I loved him. I told him right away, and the rest of the story is history.

I'm amazed at how fast 7 years has gone by. Way too fast. Alot of the time, I admit, I took our relationship for granted. He's dealt with my being pushy, over-controlling, emotional, moody, depressed, sick, unfaithful, etc. Everything that I could have thrown at him possible, and he stuck with me through it all.

I can't explain how much I love this man. He is everything I could have ever asked for from God and more. I am truely blessed to be marrying this man in less than 9 months. I am blessed to be spending the rest of my life with him. I am blessed that this man loves me more than anything else in this world. I am so blessed he wants to grow old together, and have a family with me.
So, To Brian, if you're reading this:

I love you with all of my heart and soul.
I love the life that we've built and the moments and memories we share.
I love your laugh, and that one look you give me.
I love the way you call me woman, and say 'there she is' when I call you or answer your phone calls.
I love the way you love me with all of your heart and you sometimes can't resist me.
I love how you rub your eyes when you're sleepy, like a baby.
I love how you roll your clothes when you pack.
I love how you spend the majority of your days working so that I can have a life at home.
I love how you trust me unconditionally, and never underestimate me.
I love how you lick my dinner plates clean, and burp after a meal, and say 'compliments to the chef' instead of 'excuse me'. {sorry for telling the world your tacky manners, lol.}
I love how you open the door, EVERY TIME, for me, and let the world know that chivalry still exists.
I love how you have so much love for your brother, who lives halfway around the world and how much you love your nephew that you've never met.

You are an amazing man, and I LOVE YOU! I look forward to growing old with you!

In lue of our anniversary, I have started the valentine challenge going on over at Women Livng Well Blog. The 'Be My Valentine Challenge'. Even though I'm not married, I still wanted to join the challenge.

Week 1: Look for ways to praise your husband verbally. Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it - get praise out anyway you can!
♥ I praised him verbally and on facebook on his birthday, and just bombarded facebook and told him on the phone. ♥

Week 2: Get creative with your selflessness!
♥ I have planned some really exciting things for today once Brian gets home from his job! I will update once our anniversary is over, most likely after the weekend {Brian is probably reading this so I can't tell ya'll!} :) ♥

This is us nearly 3 months after we started dating. {Junior Prom 2004}

♥

God Bless,