Andy and I went to college together. Well, we went to the same college in Boston, Emerson, but we didn't really know each other at all. We were acquaintances, and that was about it. He was in the same fraternity as my jerky college boyfriend, so I knew who he was and vise versa, but we never really hung out. At one point, when said jerky college boyfriend broke up with me briefly, he considered asking me out, but never did. Just as well, the timing would have been off.
During our last semester of our Senior year at Emerson, a good number of the seniors move out to Los Angeles to do internships, and try to get their foot in the door somewhere in Hollywood. It's a pretty good program for the most part. My friends and I decided to drive across country during our three week winter break to get to L.A. This way I would have my parents mini-van to drive for four months, not to mention it was an easier way to get all my junk to L.A.
We didn't have set places to stay the night every day, we would just drive until we felt like stopping, while seeing some sights along the way. When we decided we wanted to sleep we would stop at different hotels to find who had the best rate. My friend Melissa or Trista would run in and request a price for the night. We would eventually pick whatever was the cheapest, without being the grossest. I'm all about saving a buck, but not at the expense of sharing my bed with a cockroach. Belch!
It was toward the end of our trip and we had finally gotten out of Texas. (Do you have ANY idea how long and boring a state Texas is to drive through?) We were in Las Cruses, New Mexico, and we were tired of driving. We stopped at a couple hotels, but were still in the looking stage. Our 3rd stop was a Days Inn. Melissa ran inside to check out the price, but she was taking a much longer time than usual. When she finally did emerge she had two guys walking behind her. Trista and I wondered aloud if she had picked up some men, which wouldn't be out of the realm of Melissa's character. She was always the one who would talk to any guy at a bar. That didn't mean she was going home with him, but she was always nice and chatty with everyone, especially after a beer or two. As they got closer, however, we realized that we KNEW these guys. They went to Emerson with us. HOW WEIRD!!
Andy and his best friend Norb were the guys with Melissa. She had been in classes with them, as had Trista, so they knew them a bit better then I did. We decided we had to stay there that night, because it was just so odd meeting people we knew randomly in the middle of the country. We went and checked into a room got ourselves settled and went to hang out with the guys. They had ordered pizza and we all drank most of the night. I liked Andy right away. He was a really funny guy and kinda cute, but I still had jerky boyfriend, who every family member and friend will tell you I shouldn't have still been with at that point. The last thing I was thinking of was dating this guy. We just had a fun time together, and it started a friendship among all of us.
The next morning I got up to go swimming in the indoor pool the hotel had. I had two gold bracelets I always wore. One was given to me by my high school boyfriend, and one had been given to me by my then current jerky boyfriend. I had forgotten to take them off in the room, so I took them off and put them with my towel by the pool. Somewhere between swimming and going back to the room they were lost. I looked everywhere for them with no luck and was devastated at the time. Looking back on it now, I suppose I could see it as a sign pointing me in a different direction.
When we got to L.A., we kept in touch with Andy and Norb and hung out in their apartment. After graduation and upon moving to Los Angeles permanently, I continued to go over to their place with other girlfriends of mine. We would all watch movies or have dinner together. It was always a group of us. I was living with jerky boyfriend at this point, but more out of necessity than want. I know-it was not a proud time in my life. The more I hung out with Andy the more I realized I had feelings for him other than just friends. I had an idea he felt the same. Eventually, we confided in each other, and there was a kiss in there that was very telling. I knew what I had to do. It was a very rocky three months, where I finally ended my relationship with jerky boyfriend, he moved out, a friend moved in and Andy and I began dating.
In February of 2000 we got engaged. We were supposed to be married on September 15th 2001, but the tragic events of September 11th forced us to postpone for a month, winding up with our anniversary on this day, October 12th. We've been married for eight years and together for thirteen. I'd love to say it's been all sunshine and roses, but I think you all would know I was lying. Every relationship is some work. Nobody has a perfect one, and we have had our share of ups and downs over the years. However, I can say with certainty, that the ups far outweigh the downs. There is nobody else I would want to work on a relationship with. There is nobody else I would want to raise these three girls with. I love him as much today as the day I married him, probably more. And he makes me laugh just as hard as the day we "met" at the Days Inn in Las Cruses, New Mexico... probably more. I love you, baby! Happy 8th Anniversary.
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