I was 14 when I first met Michael. I thought he was the bee’s knees (and everything in between). I was this tiny freshman in high school that had no idea what she had gotten herself into. He was the junior football star that was friends with everyone. He was my older brother’s best friend so he was at our house all the time. I would get so excited when his Ram truck would show up at the end of the driveway but I knew I had to play it cool because older guys wouldn’t want someone that got too excited. He would come inside give me a hug and I’d barely handle it.
For the entire time I knew him (up until we reconnected years later) he always had a girlfriend. Wherever Michael was, his girlfriend was with him, so I realistically knew I never had a chance. That did not stop me from talking about him incessantly to everyone and anyone that would listen.
Eventually he graduated and my brother moved away so I assumed our relationship whatever it may be, would end. But no, Michael showed up quite often that first year after my brother left. He even ran a mud run with my mom and I my senior year of high school. He would show up in this new Jeep and I dreamed of riding around in that Jeep (fast forward to now when I get to drive that Jeep and my sixteen year old self is giddy inside).
He landed himself at Rowan University and I went to the University of Delaware. Worlds away from each other. He would text me happy birthday, but that was it for our friendship. He had a girlfriend and I was enjoying college.
My senior year of college while I was on my alternative break (go UDAB!) in Kentucky, my friend Michael reached out for the first time in three or so years. We chatted as if no time went by. That May (2016) I threw my dad a surprise 50th birthday party and low and behold Mr. Michael made an appearance. I was that giddy teenage girl again and he was still cute as could be.
I graduated college, ended the relationship I was in and was just getting my “adult life” started when we went on what I thought was our first date. Michael thought otherwise. We went to a local diner and had breakfast together. I told my nana it was only a meal and I wouldn’t overthink it. That was clearly a lie to myself. We ended breakfast and I thought we were on tracks to go on more dates and see each other more often.
Again overthinking the situation, he later rekindled with a past girlfriend. I was devastated but am a realist so I understood this is life. I started dating someone else for a couple months as well.
In December of 2016, Mr. Michael reached out and asked if we could go grab drinks at a local bistro. At this time, I was no longer seeing anyone and neither was he. I can still remember…it was December 8, 2016 at Centro Grille in Robbinsville, NJ. He was wearing his salmon pink pants and I was wearing my trench coat. I ate before I went because I was not going to let him buy me food. We had a couple drinks and split nachos and basically the rest is history.
We spent every moment together from then on. Late December we went to New York City together and did all of the tourist-y things there. He went on vacation over Christmas break and I did too. We got back and he showed up to my mom’s house with flowers to tell me he missed me (what a stinkin’ cutie).
In April of 2017 we went on vacation to St. Lucia. Truly one of the most magical places ever. We were there for 6 days and it was a packed schedule. We barely had time to sleep.
May 2017, we moved into our first apartment together in Marlton, NJ. Cute, quaint and all ours. We loved that apartment. The bedroom was huge and we had a kitchen island that we ate almost every meal at. We threw a few parties there but nothing crazy since it was small. We had our first Christmas there with our own real tree (Christmas 2018 we are at a fake tree, thank goodness). It was great. We did decide that we did not want to rent again and started to look for houses.
April 18, 2018 we moved into our first home together! Such an exciting time. Our little rancher in Cherry Hill! Close to everything and slightly closer to our parents. We’re still here and loving every bit of it. He’s got a man cave and garage and I’ve got my diva den/sun room. It’s our perfect fit. On Father’s Day, Michael became a fur-baby dad when we adopted little Remi girl. Remi is our tri colored Australian shepherd. Michael and her have the sweetest relationship.
Now we are enjoying our lives and riding the wave of where life wants to take us. Stick along for our crazy adventures!
Love always,
Z
P.S. Happy 27th Birthday bubby! I love you always!
