I still remember telling Mary "Dude, his name is Zeke... What the hell kind of name is that?!"

My boyfriend and I had quite an enjoyable stroll through the Greek Festival. I was reminded so well of a year ago when we first went together before we were officially dating. I loved walking around hand in hand and realizing how far he and I have come. Some times I worry that I put too much pressure on my relationship to be "just so," but the bottom line is that I'm happy. He makes me happy; seeing him smile makes me happy; making him cookies makes me happy; his making me breakfast makes me happy; his messy hair and glasses make me happy; gaming together on the weekend makes me happy; watching a million movies makes me happy.

He's not my first boyfriend, or first kiss, or whatever other basic "first" you can think of... But he is the first person I've experienced what I call "grown-up" emotions with (even if most grown-ups don't even have these traits in their relationships). I'm still a selfish little girl when it comes to most things, but believe I try so hard when it comes to him to compromise. I'm not always good at it but I think he knows and appreciates that I'm trying. I appreciate the things he goes out of his way to do for me too, like looking at my (sometimes very) liberal point of view with an open mind just so we can understand each other a little better. I give myself so much credit for having a tough skin (which I really shouldn't), but I'm always grateful when he's there to remind me that whatever I'm facing isn't anything I can't handle, whether it's school, family, work, us, or just myself.

He is by no means perfect. I am by no means perfect. We are perfect for each other in so many wonderfully imperfect ways. I get choked up when I think about trying to express to him how and what I feel. I get scared that I'm going to say too much and ruin it an hour later by being fussy about something little... I don't want him to not believe every word I say when I try to say I love him.

I'm perpetually trashing on the south, so God knows that I was shocked when I found someone like him down here. In some ways he's no different than anyone else in Columbia. In other ways he is completely unique to anyone I've ever met anywhere. Whatever the case I genuinely enjoy being in love with him. He is my new best friend and one that feels so safe. If this all came crashing down around me tomorrow, you're damn straight I'd be bitter! But I still would hope I wouldn't change any of it: not one kiss, not one fight. He's taught me so much about myself and love and that is something that is worth any heartbreak.






But for now, let's just stave off the heartbreaking part, huh?