I've seen a lot in my 20 years of living.
I've learned right from wrong at a young age. I've learned A LOT.
I've learned a lot of things I'm sure of that I won't be using ever.
One thing I learned recently though, was how to love.
Now I know what you may be thinking, "Oh God, here comes a millennial who has no idea what she's talking about."
Just hear me out on this. The years leading up to these particular few months in my life are the ones that taught me what love was.
2016 was the best year of my life. For a multitude of reasons. I graduated high school, got accepted into my dream college, and went to South Carolina for the first time ever with family.
It was a wild ride, and along those last few months of high school, I found myself. I wasn't particularly happy with the person I was. I needed a change. I knew that everyone goes through a change, and no-not that kind of change. I colored my hair black and cut it short. Yeah-that kind of change.
I talked to A LOT of people. Girls and guys included. I actually made friends in my college's summer program and still have a close bond with those people, or well, some of those people.
One day in the summer of 2016 seriously changed my life.
Cue the cheesy, sappy love music. Preferably Paul McCartney's "Silly Love Songs".
I was doing my cashier job (which I still have to this day), and my co-workers came in and bought some items. With them, was a teen, wearing a Wing Princess crown from Buffalo Wild Wings.
I just laughed at him, thinking nothing of it. The Wing Princess man had no items, but stood at the end of the till, staring at me.
At this point, my co-workers were laughing, so I joined in again, not knowing what was going on.
Thus, Wing Princess man left, never to be seen again.
Somehow, by the grace of God, Wing Princess man had gotten my Snapchat and I later learned his name was Dominic.
So, Dominic Snapchat's me and goes, and I quote: "Hey did you know we would steal Beyoncé's car together?"
Being extremely confused, I replied "Huh? What do you mean?" with the laughing emoji.
Dominic was doing one of those Buzzfeed quizzes where you get paired with someone and it tells you what you would get arrested for.
And honestly, the rest was history.
We talked for a few weeks, and he finally popped the question.
"Will you go on a date with me?"
Oh God. I thought. I was so nervous, and definitely not ready to be in a committed relationship again, only to have my heart broken again.
"Uh…. no." I replied.
At that moment I knew I was a horrible person. He responded with a "it's okay, I understand."
An hour later, something changed in me. I texted Dominic back and said, "Okay, I changed my mind, let's go!"
I was realizing that HE was the sweetest most genuine guy I have ever met. He called me some nights to talk to me about anything and everything hockey related. We would stay up late texting about stupid, silly things.
I realized I would be so stupid to pass up the opportunity to not to go on a date with this guy. I knew he was something special. And now I know, as I am writing this, he IS something special.
He is my left-hand man. He is everything I have ever dreamed of in a guy.
And sure enough, on that first date, he used the cheesiest pick up line I have ever heard.
"Could you hold this?" and holds his hand out.
I laughed and went Dear God, how long did it take you to come up with that one. I sound so rude, but I am a very sarcastic person, so please don't attack me for that.
Now almost a year and a half later, we are still crazy for each other. I wouldn't change a thing about our relationship. I have never been so genuinely in love with someone. And feel loved. I truly did not know what love was until I met HIM.
Another unbelievably exciting thing happened as Dominic and I were dating. On October 16th, 2016, the cutest baby boy was born. My nephew, Dominic (ironically enough they decided on the name after he was born), was brought into the world.
He's a stubborn baby, who is now 1 going on 35 with his smarts. The bond between the two Dominic's is unbreakable. He will cry when he leaves, and he will scream with excitement when he comes in the door.
They watch Little Baby Bum children sing-a-longs the whole day.
As I sit back and watch these two laugh and dance along to "The Ants Going Marching One by One", I realize, my life is perfectly unperfect.
I have experienced so many unpleasant and negative things in my lifetime of 20 years.
However, those dates I hold near and dear to my heart. I will never let these precious memories fade from my memory.
I finally understand love.
I finally know what love is.
I could finally say,
'Hey everything is alright.'
And finally mean it.
