Forever and ever, Amen.

As many of you know, there are a few discrepancies about the beginning of our relationship. It was easy to notice Hannah because we saw each other every day of the week in the spring semester. I finally mustered up the courage to ask her to get frozen yogurt after our Hospital Ministry class. I “apparently” talked the entire time we were there (these details were disclosed to me much later on).  I left feeling confident that she was interested… Fast-forward to the fall semester, when I asked Hannah if she wanted to go get coffee. We went to Mezamiz, and talked for about 3 hours. I don’t know what changed between our “first date” at Nikki’s and our “first date in my mind” at Mezamiz, but I knew I really liked this quiet, beautiful girl. I took her home and she invited me inside. With the little insight I had, I knew this was a good sign. It came time for me to leave and as awkward as good-byes can be, it definitely was. Eventually, we decided to grab coffee at Monk’s. Monk’s was crowded and it was pouring rain, so I had the great idea to go to the parking garage downtown. My thought process is up for debate, since asking a girl to go to a parking garage, with a guy she hardly knows, isn’t exactly ideal. But Hannah, being the adventurous woman who I have madly fallen in love with, happily agreed. I attempted to be suave, but she just kept laughing (can’t imagine why). Did I try to teach her how to pretzel and two-step? Yes. Did I try to show off what I learned in one of my science classes? Of course. Did she think I was ridiculous? Probably. But whatever I did, it worked. The highlight of the night was while running to the car in the pouring rain, I tried to jump over a puddle, but smacked my head against a sign above the puddle. Since Hannah was behind me, she saw the whole thing. Did she stop to check on me? No. She ran even faster, laughing the entire way. That was the moment I knew I wanted to spend every day for the rest of my life trying to make her laugh.

Oh man, I don’t even know where to start. We first met in the spring semester when we had 2 classes together, but needless to say I was not interested. So there’s that. Shot down after Nikki’s FroYo, end of story. Buuuuuuut, in the fall he persisted! I was like, “yeah I’ll go get some coffee with you (as friends), to catch up about our summers.” Harmless (That’s where they getchya). But we ended up going to Mezamiz and talking for 3+ hours, to the point where my roommate was texting and calling me because I had been gone so long! I wasn’t totally all-in after that, but I was pleasantly surprised by this big-mouthed, blonde-headed fool. After a few more dates, I started to become convinced. On October 12th, FOUR days after we started dating, I wrote in my journal: "I have never been so fond of someone like I am Houston. The man that he is continues to amaze me because he is literally in line with everything I’ve been praying for in a husband. He’s my best friend. He’s old-fashioned, but still likes to stay hip and relevant. He’s super supportive and understanding. He’s adventurous, but is a lazy lake kinda guy, which makes me so happy to hear. I’ve never felt this subtle, but strong pull towards a person before. It’s like I know being with him is what I should be doing. Literally, I’m so excited. And this is just a week in." ^^^ (I don’t even let Houston read my journal, so feel lucky, friends) But what I remember most about when we first started dating was simply just how easy everything was. Yes, we went through difficulties together. Our lives were not always easy, but our relationship was always constant. I freaking love you, Houston. I love our life, whatever our future holds, and that big head of yours. I can’t wait to start this thing!