And Then There Were Two (years).

I've gotta say...  I didn't see this coming 2 years ago.  I remember being on a balcony in DC on a beautiful starry Spring night telling Dan, "You're gonna graduate in a year and then you'll probably move somewhere far away for your residency, and I don't want to get involved, then be all caught up in feelings when you decide to leave..."

He held my hands and looked into my eyes and said, "If you heard today that your office might close in a year, would you quit your job today?"  Knowing that I loved my job and company very much, he knew I would never leave it knowing it was going down.  I'd stay til the end because I knew I loved it and was lucky to have a career that I actually enjoyed.  So I told him no.  That I wouldn't leave my job.  And then we kissed.  For a long time.  I guess that was my way of saying, "and I won't leave you either...  I guess."

I was cautious in the beginning because I did know he was graduating and had mentioned missing New England, so I had an idea early on that he would end up trying to do his residency closer to where he grew up.

When the time came for him to decide, I was ready to go wherever he chose.  Not just because of how in love with him I was/am, but because I had been out of college and working for several years at this point and his career was just beginning.  It was an organic situation and decision-- just like my mom always said it would be when it was "right".

Things have started to fall into place for both of us up here in our new little life in Hartford.  I watched Love & Other Drugs tonight and it really got me thinking about what my life would be like without Dan in it.  It's nearly impossible to imagine, but the thought of it made me cry...  He's my best friend and we have far too much fun together.  I know how extremely lucky I am to have such an amazing man in my life.  His thoughtfulness doesn't go unnoticed...  Like for instance, last night he went to bed early and I stayed up (this is a rare occurrence because I usually crawl into bed early with him and just read or watch some netflix until I get sleepy/take my sleep meds) and he left my nightstand light on for me.  He slept with the damn light on so I could come to bed, read and relax.  These tiny little things mean a lot to me...

Anyhoo, as you may have realized, Dan and I's 2 year anniversary is this week.  We don't have an official date, but I know it was this week.  I couldn't have guessed we'd be living together, he'd be by my side while I bought my first new car, that we'd be buying furniture together.  Never on that balcony would I have dreamt that we would be living in Connecticut together.  I never ever would have thought that I would be more in love with him in the second year than I was in the first...

Enough gushing.  For now.  Just know, I'm happy.  Maybe the happiest I've ever been (and a lot of that is due to Dan).  And for that, I am very grateful.

xo,
Rachael