On this day, 4 years ago, Nathan treated me to a steak dinner, took me on top of a hill during sunset, and asked me to be 'his girl.' I'd just spent the last 2 1/2 months in South Africa working at an orphanage, and he spent hours each week during his summer sending me emails. We got to call each other once a week and talk, and those were some of the best times.
When I left for South Africa, I was already crazy about him. He wasn't so sure yet. One day after I had gone, he was talking with a coworker about how he had met his wife, and Nathan says that was the moment he knew we'd get married. We'd really only known each other for a month, and I was gone for the entire summer, but somehow he knew.
We spent the entire summer getting to know each other from far away. On July 15, Nathan told me he liked me. I just laughed and said I already knew that. A month later, he took me out for our first date. We went to Sam's Club and Olive Garden, and he asked the waitress if there was a smoking section for my 'habit.' His first of many, many jokes...
Less than a week later, after he'd helped move me in, Nathan took me on our second date, and that was the beginning of the rest of our lives. In hindsight, we knew nothing about each other, and both of us were totally insane for choosing to be together at the time. But the longer time goes on, the more I see how exactly perfect we are for each other. Opposite in so many ways, yet the same right where it matters.
4 years seems so long, and so short. In that time, we've gotten engaged, both graduated college, bought a house, both gotten our first jobs, went to Disney World, got a dog, joined a band (him), started a photography business (me), and so many other milestones. This time has been so precious to me, and I'm so grateful for it.
Happy 4 years, love. I love you with all of my heart.
