Wednesday, July 10, 2013

A Very Special Blog Post

It's going to be really, really hard to condense eight or nine years into a blog post. I'll do my best.


Matt and I met in 2004 as freshmen at Stetson University. We hung out that year, but I was dating a friend of his and just considered him one of the many guys in my social clique at the time. When we went home for summer vacation, we realized we lived within 15 minutes of each other. Small world!

Not long after summer break ended, my boyfriend and I mutually split. He was going to come to a formal my sorority was having anyway, but came down with some hospital-worthy food poisoning; he urged Matt to go in his place.
I can feel you judging our fashion choices. This was a long time ago, okay?
I know it's cliche and corny to admit, but when we shared our first slow dance, I really did feel a spark of electricity go down my spine. I just knew I'd found something real.

We continued to hang out, but this was nothing different than before. Matt's friends were my friends, and it wasn't unusual for us to be spending time together in that setting. But then winter break rolled around, and we found ourselves back in our hometown and basically inseparable.
Busch Gardens, circa 2006
Our relationship had its ups and downs, like all do. But Matt and I have always known how to talk to each other. There's nothing we can't get through.

The remainder of college saw us break up, reconcile, travel abroad, break up, reconcile, and confess our undying love. We experienced long-distance dating the year I went to grad school, when Matt took a job in Indiana. If anything, it taught us that we wanted to be together permanently. We both learned to grow as our own people and together, to make compromises, to support each other, to expand our interests, and to become good listeners.
In Glasgow, Scotland in the winter of 2007.
I couldn't ask for anyone better suited to me. Matt makes me laugh every day, knows how to sit quietly and listen when I'm having a breakdown, brings me back to earth when I'm going a little crazy, thinks I'm a great cook, runs with me when it's dark, wakes up at ridiculous hours to cheer me on at races, urges me to take risks and go on adventures, and is the best hugger I know.

Relay for Life 2008
It was Matt who bought me my first iPod for running, my shoes, and encouraged me to keep at it. I don't know if I'd be a runner if not for him, which is funny, because while he races with me any distance up to a 10k, he's not really a "runner".

Sticking together during an 8k
Up before the sun to cheer me on at the Women's Half last year.
On July 10, 2010, we made it official. These last three years have been rewarding beyond explanation.

Our first moments as a married couple.
 Marriage is hard work, sometimes, but I'm grateful everyday for Matt. Life is a lot more enjoyable with him in it!

Our first dance.
 I feel like I've known him my entire life...He's my rock, the perfect complement to my neurotic self, and my best friend.

I can't imagine my life without him, and every year I look forward to the next.


I have my parents to thank (in part) for Matt's and my strong marriage. After all, they taught me what to look for in a good partner, and showed me what a healthy marriage looks like.

They're celebrating 33 years just two days after we celebrate our 3rd. I've learned from their marriage to enjoy your own pastimes, but make sure you nurture the things you have in common and what brought you together.

Mom with her parents and siblings...and dad, doing a great job of blending.
They've taught me that humor, a healthy dose of sarcasm, and staying active help solidify a bond. They've taught me that taking a weekend with your friends - and leaving the ol' ball and chain at home - is totally allowed, and even encouraged.
Dancing at our wedding in 2010.
They've taught me that no matter what gets in the way, you stick together, and you make it through...with love, laughter, and some off-color fart jokes.

So, here's to us, and here's to them.

How did you meet your SO?
Who do you look to as an example of a strong relationship?
How do your loved ones encourage you to follow your dreams?

ABK

26 comments:

  1. What a heartfelt post! I literally LOVE love stories! Happy anniversary! Your wedding photos are gorgeous. My sweet and handsome man will celebrate one year of dating at the end of this month. We met at work, imagine that. Happy anniversary and I love how he is the one who got you the "supplies" to start running! :)

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    1. Thanks, girl :o) I may be biased, but I think our love story is pretty awesome.

      Congrats on your one year!

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  2. I loved this ... such a great love story. Happy Anniversary!! <3

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  3. This was adorable!!
    I don't know where Matt worked when he was in Indiana, but i was born and raised here in Indiana!

    Happy Anniversary and I am holding out until one day I find a guy sweet enough to put up with my crazy running/workout habits at all hours of the day and thinks it is perfectly acceptable to spend all my earning o racing and running gear :)
    You found a good one!

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    1. Thank you! He worked in Indianapolis for a year, and swore he'd never move back up north ever again. He's a Florida boy born and raised haha.

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  4. Oh, sweet! Congratulations!

    The Dude and I met at, yup, church choir. Which I just think is funny b/c we are not "churchy-mc-church" people, as he would put it. (Never mind that I work at one.) We then pretty much stayed away from church for the next four years.

    The older I get the more I see my parents as examples of a strong relationship and the more grateful I am to them for it. The Dude's parents we use as examples of what not to do.

    Yes! He supports me in everything real - my running, my art, my taking time away from him and the kids to be quiet... And is the best father to our kids I could possibly hope for.

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    1. lol, churchy-mc-church people :o) It's funny that you met at church but then took time off from it. It's awesome that the Dude is such an all-around supportive guy. That's how you know he's a keeper :o)

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  5. Happy Anniversary!
    I honestly believe your significant other is the best hugger in the world! I love hugging my husband!!
    The hubby and I met in 9th grade in high school.
    On April 28, 2013 we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary and on 11.28.13 we will be celebrating our 11th year anniversary!! :)

    Hope you have a great day!!

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    1. Aw, you guys are high school sweethearts! I love that! I've known maybe two people in my life who really married the person they stated in HS, and I think it's really nice to hear stories like that!

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  6. Your wedding dress looks gorgeous - you should post a pic where we can see the whole thing!!

    Adam and I have been together for almost nine years. We met at a Halloween party when I was a freshman in college and he was a sophomore and have been inseparable ever since. Somedays I can hardly believe it's been nine years already but at the same time it's hard to believe I haven't known him my whole entire life either. I think I knew he was The One the day he met my cat and I could tell he would make a great cat dad! Just kidding ... kind of :) haha

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    1. I looked for a good pic that shows the entire dress, but for some reason I don't have any good full-length pics on FB, and my disc drive is broken so I can't pop in the professional pics and snag one from there.

      It's funny the things that prove we've found the right one for us. And I totally get what you mean...Sometimes I can't believe it's been 9 years for us, but other times I'm like "ONLY 9 YEARS?!?!"

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  7. Hey Ali!
    I'm getting ready to post my "Promo" blog.
    If you want to view "your section" before I post it, email me at runlikeag@outlook.com!
    Thanks :)

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    1. I don't need to see it beforehand! I like a surprise :o) I'll post yours this coming week!

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  8. Replies
    1. lol, thanks girl! I think so, too, but I'm biased haha.

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  9. This post almost made me cry, and I hardly know you! Fantastic and amazing. Congratulations. I hope your anniversary was amazing.

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    1. Oh my gosh, you're too sweet :o) Thank you!

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  10. Happy Anniversary! I met my husband at the gym :) I had just moved back home after living in Florida and pretty much stalked him...just kidding. I was a personal trainer at the gym and I would walk around cleaning up his sweat. How romantic! We met, went out and two weeks later we were official. July 31 we will be celebrating 14 years of marriage.

    P.S. I started a blog about running after reading your blog. You will never know how much you have inspired this newbie!

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    1. Congrats on 14 years! That's fantastic!

      I'm so glad my blog has been an inspiration to you! I can't wait to take a look at yours :o)

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    2. My blog can be found at http://runrelaxandrecovery.blogspot.com/. Take a look, I would love advice. Thank your for your inspiration!

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  11. I had forgotten how pretty your flowers were! Loved reading your story again, and we couldn't have gotten a better son-in-law! You two are awesome together.

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  12. You guys are adorable. What a wonderful dedication to your relationship. I can tell you are both immensely happy together. I met my hunny on Myspace. How old school is that!? It's a little embarrassing to say we met on the internet, but we did. We dated for 3 years and have been married for 5 and a half. One the one hand, time flies, but on the other hand, I feel like I've known him forever and forget what life was like without him. Happy 3 years! Well, 3.5 by now!

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    1. Oh my gosh, MySpace of all places! These days so many couples meet online, it's not even strange. I definitely know how you feel about time feeling wonky..I, too, feel like I've known Matt forever and that time is speeding by us like crazy.

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  13. Awwww! This is such a sweet post! You guys make such a cute couple, I'm happy for you :-)

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