forever love.

I have a tattoo on my right forearm that says "Forever Love". I got this tattoo a few days after my divorce was finalized. I felt like I needed a reminder, a large and painful reminder that love is supposed to be forever. I don't think I plan on ever really writing any more than that about my divorce. Back to the story...

I met Dustin about 9 years ago. We were both at a party at the Danford house. I was standing in the garage and he came up to me and introduced himself. He was 18 and in the Marines. (Maybe home on leave or about to join?) That is all that was said. A few years later we were both on the same tubing trip. I don't really remember him, but that isn't saying much. I may have had a beer or 10.. I recall him being at the Danford home during Mardi Gras one year. He never spoke to me. The next time was after a wedding in June of 2011, again at the Danford's, but this time it was Angela's house. I must have noticed him for the first time this day, because I totally hit on him. His arm had an amazing tattoo scene on it and he had a beard. Done.  - I found out later that he had a crush on me since that first meeting. Apparently he doesn't talk to people he has crushes on. 

I went to a house warming party for our mutual friend Seth. I was tagging everyone at the party on Facebook, because that is what you do. Duh. I got to Dustin and realized we weren't Facebook friends so I sent him a request.

We messaged each other, and then started texting. We actually had a lot in common. I felt like a teenager, texting all day and into the night. We decided that he would come out to where I was living in Baton Rouge for a 'date'...

He arrived to my apartment and I met him outside in the parking lot. It felt like a scene from a movie. He greeted me with the best hug I have ever been given. We still talk about that hug. It was as if in that moment, in the safety of his arms, I felt home.

 

The week before this my thoughts on relationships was that they were all pointless. They just weren't for me. That 'forever love' didn't exist, and if it did, it wouldn't happen for me.  I made it clear to any one that tried to date me that it wasn't going to happen. I don't 'do' relationships.

One week in, he asked me to be his girlfriend. This was on September 12th, 2011. I told him no, but to ask me again tomorrow. He asked again the next day and I said yes. I just didn't want our anniversary to be on his birthday. (I'm just thoughtful like that.)

I think it took us about two weeks before we both blurted out that we loved each other. After a year of dating I was madly in love. On our one year anniversary he gave me an infinity ring with the words "my forever love" engraved on the inside. I told him the story of my tattoo one time, in the very beginning of the relationship and we never talked about it again. He listened. He wanted me to know that his intentions were for forever.
                                      

 

That ring has now been replaced with an engagement ring. I get to marry this wonderful man exactly three years after we started this wonderful love story.  I know that forever takes work, but he makes it seem possible. Now when I see the tattoo on my arm, I smile. He is my forever love.