Yes, it's true...it all started with a post-it!
This is quite possibly the most embarrassing story ever...but it gives you insight into how FUNNY RJ and I are...we are the classic definition of DORKS!!!
If you can strain your mind to travel back 18 years to our 9th grade year and a seminary class filled with a bunch of hooligans! RJ in all his "sweetness" and smooth moves (RJ: "wanna rub my back?"...ME:"ummm, NO!") had captured my attention.
There was a Valentine's Day Dance where I hoped I would get a couple dances with him but was disappointed when I only got one...and won't mention all the other girls that got more...
needless to say I was heartbroken all weekend!
The following week at school I was sort of down in the dumps and RJ picked up on it quick (as I had hoped). On the 17th of February he bugged me and pestered until I promised during class that I would write the name of the person I liked in a note and would give it to him after school(ahhh...the days of Junior High School notes).
And so I pulled out my trusty blue pen and a yellow post-it, wrote "you!" on the paper and folded it into an intricate little envelope with STRICT instructions to wait until I was out of sight (which he quickly ignored).
Now travel to THE day...February 18th, 1993...rumors were swirling all day from his friends and mine and I couldn't look up without turning bright red from embarrassment! Then I turned around after shutting my locker with my 6th period geography books in hand ready to enter Mr. Halls class and there was RJ (and Mike...there for support I guess). I think I choked a little and I know my face color bypassed red and went straight to purple. He was nervous too, I think, standing there in his green and black shirt and blue silvertabs but just as cute as ever!
He opened his mouth to say something and I remembering thinking...my heart is pounding...he looks so great...OH CRAP, what if I start crying when he tells me that I'm a dork?!?! Then he said that famous line that all 14 year old girls live their lives to hear..."D'ya wanna go out?"
(yes, I am laughing as I type this!)
I of course muttered a "sure" and quickly entered my class.
Now...flash forward past all the dances, the mini break-ups, the laughter, the tears, the most beautiful wedding ever, jobs, vacations, apartments, a house, cars, dogs...to today..18 years later and RJ is getting home from work. I realize that my heart is pounding...he looks so great...and this time I know he's just going to give me a kiss hello!
It's funny, I don't remember the last breath I took before I was in love with RJ but I have known for a very long time that we were brought together for a very special reason. So many have questioned our relationship over the years and we took a lot of crap from people when we were in High School but we grew together, became and remain best friends. We learned how to communicate our feelings to each other at such a young age that it's second nature now.
I always tell RJ that I will forever see him as a 16 year old kid and I am so lucky to have the knowledge of him at that age...and now! I was the luckiest girl then and now I'm the luckiest woman!
All the memories I have with him have made me a better person!
"Together Forever" baby!!!
Ti Amo!
