101 things I love about him...

41. your eclectic taste in music
42. your willingness to try new things
43. you'll watch a chick flick with me (except Sex and the City)
44. you know how to dance
45. you don't mind hanging out at my house
46. you've come to like my dogs
47. you respect me
48. you're incredibly thoughtful
49. you share my love of things Disney
50. you're as excited as me about finally getting to ride Expedition Everest
51. you believe in a certain level of frugality
52. you have nice taste in clothes
53. your random sweet text messages
54. you put up with the fact that I can be a nag
55. the way you hold me on a cold night
56. that we have lots of fun together
57. the happiness in your voice
58. your own set of quirks
59. that you find the way I say "heeeeyyy" funny
60. you're not afraid to be silly in public

101 things I love about...

my personal heater, my Stitch, my silly

21. the way you stay with me on the phone, even in complete silence
22. you taught me about your love of basketball
23. you teach me to play video games (at least the wii ones)
24. you accept my obsession with my DSLR
25. you have a new love of point-and-shoot photography
26. you'd take me to Cheesecake Factory just because I love cheesecake
27. you'll walk around aimlessly around the mall with me
28. you think my quirks are charming
29. the way you kiss me on the forehead, every time I stick my forehead in your face
30. you worry about me
31. you stay on the phone with me to make sure I get home safely
32. you make me feel loved
33. you make me feel beautiful
34. you believe in me
35. you encourage me to be better and do better
36. you let me complain
37. your patience
38. your kindness
39. you travel a distance to see me
40. you chose me

101 things I love about....

my fiance, my best friend, my biggest fan.

My list of 1-20 in no particular order...

1. the way you smile
2. your laugh and how it brightens my day
3. that you know how to dress
4. that you care about my interests/hobbies
5. you make me happy just being in the same room
6. you have always believed in us
7. you trust me and I trust you completely
8. you love me for me
9. your openness
10. that you'll listen to me rant unconditionally
11. you think I'm funny, not nuts
12. you know how to make me laugh
13. when you try to scare me with your "mean look", it makes me laugh instead
14. your big, juicy lips!
15. you have a cute butt
16. when you whisper in my ear ::chills::
17. you put up with me
18. you think I'm cute
19. you think I'm cute without makeup
20. you're nicer than me

I love you!

I knew he liked me...

especially after this day, when we went to Epcot with Michelle (one of my roomies).

I guess he thought it would be cute to let me know that he liked me by running into me and poking me like a first grader. Oh well, clearly, I bought into it. At this point I did wonder if he liked me, but we hadn't really said anything about it. Though, if I remember correctly, it was 3-4 days after this that we went on our first date. Awww memories.

Our First Date....

Leading up to the first date, we did the typical college student form of communication: AIM. For those not in the "know", that's AOL Instant Messenger. Yes, we lived about 20 feet away from each other, and yet, for the first couple of weeks before the first "official" date, we chatted and flirted online. I suppose it's because it felt easier and safer because it wasn't in person. Less intimidating perhaps?

Eventually several online conversations later, I received a text message asking if I wanted to go to dinner after work. At that point, I wasn't sure if it was a "date" or a "friend thing". I was hoping it was a date. I'd never been on a real date and the prospect gave me butterflies in my stomach. There was just something about him; I knew he was special.

After work on September 23, 2005, I got ready to go to dinner. He didn't tell me where, but I was prepared for anything. Considering we earned the pitiful minimum wage in the state of Florida, I wasn't expecting a three-course candlelit dinner. From what I remember now, when he came to pick me up across the hall, I couldn't help but smile. He didn't show up with any friends, and it was just us in the car... I thought, well, I guess it's a date. I figured that if he offered to pay, that would seal the deal.

We drove for a little bit and pulled into the parking lot of our destination: TGI Friday's. The one thing I remember vividly while we were ordering off the menu, was that he ordered a "cheeseburger without cheese". I thought that was a weird way of putting it, but I thought it was cute. Personally I would have asked for a hamburger, but whatever. When I asked him why he ordered it that way, he pointed to the menu where it said Cheeseburger, then under it in fine print it said Without Cheese.

I was a little nervous that our conversation would have the dreaded awkward pauses. But my mind was put at ease when it just flowed. We talked about our families and where we lived and where we went to college. It was an ideal first date conversation. And the rest, is history. I met my best friend and now I get to marry him and spend the rest of my life with him. I feel so lucky and blessed!

How We Met

People often ask me how we met. We have a unique story. We're not childhood sweethearts. We're not college friends. We didn't even live in the same state. When people ask, "Where did you meet?" I often answer with, "Well, we met in Florida". No, it wasn't on Spring Break. I get a puzzled look from the other person, because I'm a California girl. The place that brought us together is often known as the "Happiest Place on Earth"'s Florida cousin, Walt Disney World.

We met as interns for the College Program. I had traveled across the country to delay "the real world" after I graduated from college. He drove down south since he hadn't found a full time job after graduation. Little did we know that we would meet. We were placed in the Disney subsidized housing, in apartment across from each other. I was in 1801. He was in 1802. A couple of days after we moved into our respective "homes away from home" for the next four months, one of his roommates knocked on our door. At first, we were a little suspicious, since he was trying very hard to be smooth. Considering it was the first couple of days, and part of the point was to make new friends, we accepted his invitation.

The 10-second walk across the hall brought us (me and 3 roommates) to a carbon copy apartment. I happened to sit on the side of the couch closest to the door, next to a guy who was surfing the net. I met him, shook his hand, smiled, and chatted in idle conversation. We stayed for maybe two hours. He was an army brat, currently from Georgia, a recent graduate, and had been placed at Epcot in Parking Services. I told him a little about me and just hung out. After my roommates and I left, they all made a big deal about us talking. "Ooooh! You guys are going to get married and have babies!" I was totally incredulous thinking that all we did was talk. And we happened to talk because we were in closest proximity to each other.


Little did I know that it would be the start of the most precious and special friendship.