Today Joe and I celebrate our 2-year Anniversary

One of Joe's many surprises this year.

When I first met Joe, I was only 17 years old. At the time, he was 19 almost 20. We hit it off the very first time we met. Joe took me to my junior prom dance and we continued to spend every single day together for the next month before he traveled to Texas.

Joe was in the military so for the next few weeks he would be in another state serving our country in the United States Armed Forces. He would call me every single day. At the time, cell phones were existent, but not readily available. At least compared to how they are today. Kind of like the internet. Technology has evolved a lot since then. Joe would purchase a calling card or I would get one and we would call each other at different times. We spent months spending every single day and hour together to spending weeks apart.

When Joe came back from Virginia, he and I continued to spend every day together. We had a lot of fun. There was never a dull moment in our relationship. Joe had a convertible and we would go places. Whether it was cruising the back roads blaring music or simply going out to eat, we were always together. We would even spend our nights driving to the lake. I remember those hot Summer nights we would gaze at the stars and fall asleep together. My mom never really allowed me to date, let alone have a man ever stay over at the house, but Joe was the first guy she ever let stay over.

Joe and I decided to part ways before he would travel to Texas where he would spend a few years being stationed in Fort Hood. He called me about a year or two after we broke up to say hello and that he was engaged. I noticed something different in his voice. He sounded like someone who had something to say, but didn't know how to say it. As meek as he was, at that very moment I could hear the depression and exhaustion in his voice. I didn't know the entire story, so I never really pried. After all, I was young (a senior in high school) and was planning my future.


Words from Joe.

Needless to say, his marriage didn't last that long (only a few months) and he had to endure quite a few things throughout life, but despite the adversity he faced, he continued to improve his life for several years. We parted ways, but as Joe was the first man in my life, I always had him on the back of my mind. Why? Because he was my first love. We both dated different people and basically lived life without each other for years. Truth be told, I didn't have many relationships in my life so I wasn't dating multiple men nor entertained the idea of doing so, as I was a 'one-man' woman. Quality is way more important than quantity. At least that is the perception and ideology I have grown to embrace. 

I began to realize that everything in this life happens for a reason. There is always a purpose for everything in this life. I am also a firm believer everything happens the way it should. Joe and I remained friends for years before deciding to make that next step and get back together. Joe hit rock bottom in late 2011 and continued to go down instead of up until early 2013. Instead of watching a nightmare evolve in front of my eyes, I decided to intervene. Without getting into too many details, lets just that it was the first time I really did such a thing and it was then that I realized how much I cared about Joe.

 Finally, on December 13, 2013 we made our relationship a reality and decided to officially get back together. And ever since, our relationship has been nothing short of amazing. Never a dull moment at all. More passion and love than the first time we were together. Not only is this the longest relationship that both of us had, but it is a second chance that I am confident will last for many years to come. What do you think?

Thank you so much Joe for everything you do. Happy Anniversary!