There are certain moments in time that can change you … no, that’s too small. There are certain unique occurrences that are so mutually monumental and meaningful that your entire future is rewritten in a fluttering heartbeat. Three years ago this very day was one of those moments. My world had reached a crossroads from a massive “reset button hit” I’d just initiated, however, I had no idea that my entire perception of relationships, love and ultimately marriage would also swiftly be resetting as well. if we may for a moment, let’s return to a beautiful July 8th, 2008.

I was returning home from a trip to Tahoe, texting Spun the whole way back on the train from Portland … I made a quick pit stop to spend time with my dad on his birthday before coming home. We liked each other, of that we were sure, but we had no idea what it meant or how to act on it. So we just texted things like, “hey, what are you doing tonight?” with responses like, “I dunno, hanging out with you?” Mind you Spun had a really old … but super cool … Sony Ericsson phone that just had a 9key texting setup, so her responses took, well, forever to get back between my iPhone texts. (side note, I’m riding the train now and just passed the Starbucks corporate office … where that text exchange happened. Serendipity.) So for the sake of sparing you tons of details, we meet up. I pick her up from her cute little apartment and we head to the sculpture park to walk around.

Note that this was shot that day, three years ago

I’d never been and I really wanted to explore it with her. We shared great conversation, but both of us were terrified to make a move. Imagine walking through massive sculptures, around beautiful art, by a huge metal tree with someone who finally understands how you see all of this beauty as well. We didn’t hold hands. We didn’t even kiss (spoiler alert … yet). We just walked. Two hearts side by side, learning that they may have found a mirror for each other.

Discontent with calling it a day, Spun recommended we head to Harborsteps to enjoy the stairs, the sunshine and sound of the fountains. Of course, I was happy to oblige. So we drove down to Western and parked. Here. Yes, 5-10 feet from this pay station.

This is the moment that rewrote my future, my DNA, my desire for my existence. I got the door for her and said, “I have to do this, I can’t wait any longer” whereby I pulled her close and kissed her. We just stood there, shocked and dumbfounded. No words, just a few more blissful kisses before beginning our journey that still continues as strongly as it began. At this moment I became more Smitten than I knew was possible. As for my girl, yea as you’ve probably guessed, she was (and still is) Spun.

oxoxo