i have been through some difficulty in my life.  i have survived.  i became stronger.  over the years, i have processed the pain and heartache suffered at the hands of other people.  entering a new relationship has been a catalyst for revisiting some of those moments in my mind.  i have a long list of lessons learned.  recently, i even attended a wedding of someone i dated fifteen years ago.  the couple was clearly meant to be with each other and i was elated that they found one another.  i was young and naive when we dated.  i learned so much from that relationship.  that was followed up by my longest relationship to date which has left me an insane amount of memories to process.  i have buttons.  i made a list.  a list of what i wanted, what i did not want, and what i dreamed of from a partner.

thus far, our story is like something from a movie.  but it is real.  it truly is the little things that make me happy.  my camera brought us together along with a series of random events over the course of the last few years.  if i had not worked one of my least favorite jobs in retail, we would never have met.  i would not have met two of my closest friends on earth if not for that job.  do i believe that things happen for a reason? HELL TO THE YEAH.  i am a believer in a larger plan?  yes i am.  i believe.

if i had to go live through every minute again over the last thirty eight years in order to be where i am right now, then i would.  without hesitation.  i do not begin to know what the path has yet to hold for me.  but loving her is as easy as breathing.  i am grateful and lucky.

and it is clear to all those around me, i am in love.  she is amazing.

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