Today is January 25th. And that means that in 10 months and 16 days, I'm getting married.
In the past 2 and a half years, Stav and I have changed a lot. Our eating habits, our speaking habits, our exercise routines, our methods to arguing, the way we dress, the way we go out, the way we live.. It's changed so much. It's funny, because you would think that with all of that change we would be going our separate ways by now. But really, we just keep getting closer.
For example, when Brian and I started dating, he could come over and empty my brand new bag of chips. And then I would get frustrated and pout a little and he'd go buy me a new bag of chips. The next night, he'd eat the whole replacement bag during a marathon of "The Office." It was silly and unhealthy and fun. Today, we don't eat chips or junk food in general. It wasn't a conscious thing at first- we just started buying carrots and grapes on instinct instead. When we realized our new tendencies, we took them full on and researched how to eat healthier. And it's delicious and amazing and cheaper.
Another example: this is Brian when we met in 2007:
Please note the ultra tight, tattered pants, the practically sewn-on black sweat shirt, and the exaggerated belt buckle. This was the exact night that we decided we should be together. And he looked hot (for a 21 year old emo rocker).
This is Brian now:
Exactly what an emo rocker should morph into.. An urban hipster, complete with lime green sunglasses, flat brim hat, and Nike dunk high tops (not pictured). Although most of the time he looks more like this:
..or some similar variation, thanks to his big-boy job. I've liked every stage through these transitions. He's good looking; I can't help it.
And used to, when we lived downtown, we didn't really have to exercise. We had such an active life style, walking literally everywhere we went, taking walks out of boredom, and running to the park to play soccer on Sundays. Now, I've joined the Y and B hits his punching bag for nearly an hour a day. And sometimes we have to beat ourselves into doing it, but just like when Brian convinced me to quit smoking, we know that these things will mean we get more time together in the end.
We were young when we met and started dating. We really liked each other from the get-go, but we knew we had growing to do. And we decided by Christmas our first year together that we would grow together. We would talk about our philosophies on life and we would work to understand each other's changes. We would talk out our fights and resolve them intelligently, little by little implementing new ways to work together. We would help and encourage each other to achieve whatever we wanted- be it a new television or a year abroad.. We said would do these things, and we have. And we have so much more to do.
I can't help but think that these conscious efforts are what will make us the enviable elderly couple, still ridiculously in love and foolish around each other. The couple that has pushed through the worst of life and held hands while all the way. The couple that throws a great big 60 year anniversary party and plays a practical joke on their guests. I can't help but believe that it will be us.
Since I work in a public school, I knew last night when Metro Nashville canceled all classes that I'd most likely not have to work today. Brian's job in internet marketing for a Honda dealer in town is not usually as flexible. Today, however, the sleet began at around 8:30. At 9:15, it became a blizzard and by the time Stav got to the main road he knew it would be foolish to make the 30 minute drive into work. 
