love story.

As a little girl growing up, I always looked forward to high school because that's where I just knew I was going to meet the boy I was going to fall in love with. And I did.

It was the year 2009, and I was going into my sophomore year in high school. I was enrolled in the school's driver's ed program, and things were fine. I sat in the very front, and being the awkward 15 year old that I was, I didn't bother to pay attention to anyone else in that class. I just wanted to get my driver's licence and be done with it.

I can't remember the exact time frame, but a month or so into the new school year I got a friend request on Facebook from this guy named Dan. I didn't recognize him, but it said he went to my school so I added him.

A couple months go by, and now it's Christmas time. We had a half day at school, and that night I was at home making dinner for myself and my two sisters whilst browsing Facebook at the same time when a little chat bubble popped up from this Dan guy who had added me a couple months prior. At first I was totally confused because I still hadn't figured out who this dude was... And then he brought up our driver's ed class.

After that, we ended up talking for a good part of the night. And all of Christmas break. I was so excited to actually talk to him in person once we got back to school, so I eagerly woke up that morning, unlike the other kids who were upset that school was back in session. Second hour comes, and I head off to driver's ed to finally talk to the guy I'd spent my Christmas break texting. Aaaannndddd...

He walked right by me.

I was stunned, to say the least. We had bonded over that two week period, and I was excited to talk to my new best friend. And he had walked right by me! I was so upset. So after class, I left like I normally did. And that night, he explained how he was so nervous that he just couldn't talk to me. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I thought that was insanely adorable and the next day, we actually talked.

And he became my best friend. I knew he wanted more, but I wasn't ready for that yet. But there was something, from the very first time we talked on the phone, I had this feeling that he was going to be a huge part of my life. I can't explain it, and people think I'm crazy, but I had a gut feeling that this guy wasn't going anywhere. So I friendzoned him. I still feel guilty about that, but I think that if I had jumped right into a relationship with him, we wouldn't be where we are today. He was my best friend, and we had that bond when we did start dating.

Now fastforward to my junior year in high school. The end of October, the homecoming football game. I was in choir, and it was a thing for the choir kids to sing the Star Spangled Banner at the homecoming game, so I was there for that. Dan went too - we were going to watch the game together after my big performance. It was a lot of fun, we hung out the whole time. It started downpouring, actually, a little bit into the game. So we were huddled up together, his arm around me while we watched the game.

(this is the picture we took that night)

Keep in mind, at this point, I knew there was something between us. I felt more for him than I let myself think. So at the end of the game, we decided to cut out a few minutes early to beat traffic so we went to my car first, since I was close to the stadium and I offered to drive him to his car. When we got to his car, we had our first kiss. And to this day, that kiss has stood out from all other kisses. It felt like a movie to me. Where time slowed down and it was just the two of us. And I know I sound like a cheesy sap, but that's really how it was for me. Being the turd that I was, though, I stopped it because I knew I was falling in love with him even more so than I had been over the last year. I was falling hard, and I was falling fast - just by kissing him once.

Except stupid me still wouldn't go out with him. Again, I don't quite know why and it was pretty stupid. So the school year went on, and I found myself wanting to be with him more and more. On his birthday that following April, I went over to his house and we watched a movie in his room. Get Smart to be specific. We were laying on his bed and I just snuggled right up to him and I ended up falling asleep. The cutest part was that I could tell he was like "ohmygodshe'slayingonmewhatdoidonow". I loved it.

So much so that I asked him to be my date to my junior prom. Except he didn't know if he wanted to or not, because he thought that I didn't have anyone else to ask. Little did he know that I was planning to ask him to be my boyfriend at the dance! So in order for him to be more thrilled about going, I brought it up before hand. I kind of hinted at the fact that I liked "someone" and wanted to date him. He got the hint, and asked me to be his girlfriend!

So we went to prom together as our first official date. The picture from the very top of this page was taken at prom - it's probably one of my favorites.

As the end of the year started to draw to a close, he was looking at high school graduation and going off to college. Things got kind of messed up and we ended up breaking up. It was probably the worst summer of my life. He feels the same way. I was looking forward to starting my senior year of high school. About a week or so into my senior year, I decided I was going to try and move on. So I went on a date with this other guy I knew. And at the end of it, I didn't feel any better but I knew I was going to have to try.

But literally TWO days after that date, I woke up from a text from.. guess who! Dan! I'm telling you, the signs are everywhere.

So we ended up getting back together. And thus started a long distance relationship. Dan goes to college out in Michigan, near Detroit. So he's about 400 miles away from me. A seven hour drive.

 He came home for Christmas, and it was one of the best reunions ever.

We've been long distance for almost three years now. It's been very hard and stressful. Sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but we're making it work. We get to see each other a couple times a year, and for now that has to be enough. We're starting to talk about me moving out to be with him, and it's scaring the crap out of me but I'm excited at the same time.

All I know for sure is that I'm in love with him, and I know I want to be with him. For the rest of my life? A girl can dream of a happily ever after. And I certainly am. I'm very optimistic about the future, it's just getting there that's going to be the hard part.