July 4, 2011, my boyfriend and I met on a ferry heading over to Block Island. We had a mutual attraction to each other immediately, fell in love, and about 2 years later we began dating. That’s right: on this day, 8 years ago today–June 25, 2013–I began dating the love of my life. It’s crazy to think about how much time has gone by since then, and to look back on all the crazy moments and trips, all the growth we’ve had, and memories we’ve made along the way. I feel so blessed that I’ve been able to grow with my S.O, and that I’ve found a life partner and best friend.
My boyfriend and I were so young when we began dating; we’re both two totally different people now than we were back then, in the best way possible. I think it’s a testament to our relationship that we’ve been able to grow together as we’ve gotten older, rather than drift apart. I’m proud of both of us as individuals, and of our relationship.
Leading up to this anniversary, my boyfriend mentioned how he almost feels ashamed that we’ve been together this long and he’s still calling me his “girlfriend,” and I’m still saying “boyfriend.” I’ve been candid about our thoughts on marriage and why we’re still waiting to get married, but my boyfriend said he still feels the societal pressure to put a ring on it, especially after this long. It made me sad hearing him say this, but it led to a great discussion on why exactly he was feeling that way, and we both reiterated our feelings on it and how happy we are right now. We both know that a piece of paper won’t change anything, and neither one of us wants to get married simply for the sake of getting married. If we get married, we want to do it big. As I’ve said before, growing up, I never dreamed of getting married or having kids. It wasn’t until I got older and was reading an article in Cosmopolitan about women getting their fairy tale weddings and happily ever afters by getting married in Walt Disney World that I thought: hey, if I ever do get married one day, I want it to be big and just like this. I don’t want anything else. So, yes, again: neither myself nor my boyfriend wants to get married just for the sake of getting married, because in all honesty, marriage just isn’t that important to us. Neither one of us have anything against it, and we’re planning on getting married one day, but it’s not the most important thing to us. Successful careers, dealing with and (hopefully) healing from my neck injury, and growing our relationship, traveling, and making memories just like we have been are the most important things to us. One day, we’ll get married and have the most epic wedding of our dreams, but for now, we’re both perfectly content and happy. We’re in the healthiest relationship and can talk about everything, and are happier than almost all married couples we know. We’ve never gone by what society deems as “normal” in our relationship (like waiting 5 and a 1/2 years to move in with each other) and it’s served us well.
I feel so blessed to have found my soul mate, someone I can laugh with every single day and talk to about anything and everything. I never dreamed of sharing my life with someone who just gets me so well and loves me completely for exactly who I am. It’s amazing being with someone who’s on the same page as you, who shares similar dreams, goals, and aspirations. It’s incredible being able to balance each other out; when one of us is stressed and needs calming down, the other one will do just that, and vice versa. We can finish each other’s sentences and know what the other one is thinking without having to say anything. My idea of an equal partnership looks like this: both people are there for, help, and support each other equally, and both people have an equal say; I’m proud that my relationship is exactly that.
So, dear boyfriend… Thank you for these last 8 years, for helping me out when I needed it the most, and being there for me through thick and thin. Thank you for showing me what love is and how good it can be. Thank you for your unwavering support and constant belief in me, along with the relentless encouragement during the times I need it most. Thank you for your faith in me and in us. Thank you for the memories we’ve made from all the trips we’ve been on–from Cabo, Las Vegas, L.A, NYC, Boston, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, Toronto, Orlando, and more. You’re the best travel buddy, even though you always make me take the middle seat on the plane (because your arms are too big). I love our Saturday night date nights, movie nights, and our nighttime routine. I love being able to get in bed with you every night and reading before going to sleep. I love swimming in the ocean with you and all of our trips on the paddle board around the peninsula. I love our inside jokes and the fact that we call each other “pants,” or “Mr. and Mrs. Pants.” I love how we laugh together and can find laughter in even the darkest moments. I love how we can talk for hours on end and never run out of things to say, how we can be honest and genuinely ourselves with one another. I’d never be able to write it all out in one paragraph, or put all of it into words, so just know this: most importantly, I love you, and I love, love, love our life together.
Cheers to 8 years together. I love you as big as all of da galaxies.
