Let me tell you a story...

I'm going to tell you a great love story.

This is the story about a girl and a boy who met playing music in college. They became good friends and hung out a lot together. Neither thought what they had was anything serious. It was fun, they both had lots of friends they hung out with, and enjoyed each other's company.

Then one day the girl realized she really dug this guy. She really really liked this guy. She even *dare she say it* l-o-v-e-d this guy. She told him and mentioned the *L* word. He didn't run away, but didn't return the *L* word. The girl was not bothered by this, hurt a little maybe, but not bothered. She had been honest with him at least.

Then, a few months later, at a fraternity dance, he had the band make a public announcement. The boy wanted to say hi to the girl, and let her know he l-o-v-e-d her! The girl was so surprised and happy and caught in the moment she even cried a little. Not too much, though. She didn't want her make-up running.

The girl and the boy lived happily for several years. The girl and the boy had come to a time where they had to leave college. The girl was about to graduate and had gotten a job far away. She told the boy that no matter where she worked, she wanted to be close to the boy. What good was it to make a lot of money if you are lonely? So the boy decided to go with her, and they both decided to get married.

They travelled all over the world together. They saw the Great wall of China, they saw beautiful beaches in Thailand, they drove all over Australia, they dove in the Great Barrier Reef, they went to a mass at the Vatican, they walked all over Rome, they threw euro-pennies in all the fountains in Rome (quite a lot), they saw Michaelangelo's David, they frolicked in the mediterranean sea, they travelled to Turkey, they visited a gazillion Greek Islands, they touched the Parthenon, and they still loved each other.

The boy and the girl were getting lonely. So they decided to have a baby. The most beautiful baby in the world was born to them. The sleepless nights came, as did the the chronic fatigue, the growing bills, the long commute; but still they plowed on with life.

The baby grew and started laughing, and crawling, and standing up, and walking, and running. The boy and the girl could now take the baby to the park, to the playground, and lots of other fun places. And still the boy and the girl loved each other.

Before they knew it, eight years had passed since the wedding. The happily ever after never came. It was just happily. The boy and the girl, happily living life.

Happy Anniversary to Us.

*Note: I've glossed over all the fights, all the arguments, the days we didn't speak to each other, the stressing over money, the 7 times we've moved, all the illnesses, all the tears, all the inconsiderate little moments. What matters is the big picture, and the big picture is that we truly are happy and lucky to have each other. The girl loves the boy very much.