Ten Years: A Love Story

Ten years ago, it was a beautiful sunny day in Sparks, Nevada. Being last few weeks of high school, everything seemed fresh and bright and lovely, with the promise of summertime and freedom ahead. I couldn't be happier that high school was ending, and I had just gone on the most perfect date the weekend before with my new beau Brett (yep, you guessed it!) so I was feeling rather giddy with this new love. As I walked out to my car, one of Brett's friends caught up with me and asked a straightforward question: "Are you and Brett going out?"

I wasn't quite sure how to answer. The past few weeks had been a wonderful whirlwind of courtship. Though we'd run in similar circles of friends throughout high school, our mutual shyness had prevented us from getting to know each other. At the very end of senior year, our sisters, who could tell that we would make a great couple, separately helped to set us up. In early May at a foreign language awards ceremony, Brett offered me a kumquat-on-a-stick and successfully procured my phone number (how could I possibly say no after eating that delicious kumquat?). He called me that night, and we talked for hours. Many mixtapes, dozens of quirky yet heartfelt letters, and one most perfect date later, I pondered the future of our relationship. I knew that such a thoughtful man as Brett, who had put together the lovely first date we'd just had (years later, I still think that a walk around the arboretum, a trip to the art museum, and lunch at a funky restaurant sound like the perfect afternoon) was a definite keeper, that I would want him in my life forever. But we hadn't really discussed our relationship yet. Would he feel the same way?

Later that afternoon, at his house, I explained this dilemma. "I didn't know whether I should say we're going out," I explained.

Brett smiled. "Let's say that we are!" he enthusiastically agreed.

Until we got married five years later, we celebrated this day, when we had decided we were officially a couple, as our anniversary. We've been together for an entire decade now, and there hasn't been a single day when I haven't been grateful to have Brett in my life. He is my best friend, my biggest fan, a caring husband, a loving father, and such a sweet, generous, smart, funny, talented person. Considering all that he does for this blog (proofreading, commenting, taking photos, suggesting posts, promoting it to all his friends...), it seems fitting to pay tribute to him here today.

Happy 10th anniversary (and happy early birthday!), Brett. I love you and always will.