march 6, 2013.
it was a random text that was sent to a postman.
a picture of a community mailbox that had fallen.
i asked, "do you still deliver mail when this happens?"
being the professional that he is, he gave an elaborate answer.
not knowing that i was joking. that picture message started it all.

we met a year before that text.
we had common people in our past who are no longer significant.
it bothered me, yet he had no care WHO we had in common, just WHAT we had in common.

the night of the text, we had ramen at a place i've never been.
during the dinner we began our small talk.
"how have you been?" "do you still talk to so & so?" type of thing.
after dinner we decided to go for a walk, that walk lasted till after midnight.
where did the time go?
it's amazing how good conversations can make the time escape you.

the past has kept me guarded & i didn't allow myself to feel anything,
& to be honest, i just didn't trust him.
yet he kept hanging around, telling me, "i'm different."
regardless of me telling him that i'm not ready or i don't feel that way for you...
he kept trying, he kept SHOWING me that he's not like those before him.
eventually, i was able to look passed my past, & just see...him.
who he is & the type of guy he has been with me.
it was months before i was able to lower the strength of my shield, but the shield was still up.
i was still very hesitant.

i am insecure.
i have anxiety.
i am paranoid.
i am emotional.
i am impatient.
i can be moody & cranky.
i have anger & trust issues.

through all that knowledge & him experiencing it firsthand, he still remained.
he stayed by my side, held my hand, comforted me with a strong embrace, encouraged me with his words, & lastly but most importantly, he prayed for & with me.

my grandma prayed every day, for her family, friends, & those that she met along the way.
i told myself, the next guy i ever date, MUST HAVE FAITH.
FAITH was what got me through some difficult times.
one of the many ways that he is different is that he goes to church with me,
(even when football is on.)
he has faith, he believes in God & all the glorious things He does for US.

faith is the most important thing to me.
but also, he takes care of me when i'm sick.
he will hold my hair & rub my back when i'm throwing up.
he entertains me when i'm bored.
feeds me when i'm hungry.
he lets me sleep in the car while he drives.

he's a good guy.
he is there for his family & friends.
he treats his friends like his family.
he is the type to:
help someone push their car to the side of the road.
open doors for the elderly or those who have a stroller to push.
help a struggling person take their luggage off of the carousel.
"you were raised right" is a verse i have heard about him from several strangers.
i can tell him anything.
we have random conversations.

i honestly believe that girls should experience the most they are able to before finding "the one."
it prevents regrets & the what ifs.
however, there are the lucky (or unlucky) girls that find "the one" on their first try.
in my opinion i believe girls should experience or date the:
jerks.
assholes.
has everything you want but only see as a friend.
has everything you want but you're only seen as a friend.
lust of your life.
bad boy.
funny guy.
popular guy.
stylish guy.
guy that no one knows about.
the that was in love with you.
the guy that you liked as a boyfriend but isn't "the one" potential.
you get the point.

i've been through all of that.
i've had my experience.
things happen when you least expect it couldn't be more true in my case.
it's his genuine smile that makes me fall for him more than i already have.
my favorite pictures of us are when it captures his laugh because not only do i have a mental image, i have a captured one.
he is not only my love, but also my friend.