A Very Different Relationship (Officially Official)

For almost a year, I've been single.  It's really weird to think about - but this last year has so been needed!  As I've explained in many a blog post, God has used my singleness to point me back to Him. I've been more focused, and continued to push forward towards where I'm being called.

During that year, I've had a ridiculous amount of support from my family and friends - who have continued to be there for me the entire step of the way.  I've had adventures, the opportunity to grow in my friendships, and to really experience a very different kind of friendship.

Twelve years ago, I met Brian.  He was dreamy.  We built up a friendship, that eventually led to my first [real] relationship on January 19, 2004.  Finally, in October 2004, we called it quits and, after some time, we found a way to develop an awesome friendship.  Since then, he's always had a space in my life as a very good friend - there when I needed him, even when he lived in Mississippi.  Distance never made a difference.  Both of us got married, and out of respect for the marriages - we kept our distance.  When both of those fell apart, we were there for each other.  Our friendship picked up right where it left off;  he was my best friend.  Talking to him was always like therapy - I am pretty sure I worked out most of my issues through those conversations.  The really neat thing about it - he always pointed me back to God.  When I would get nervous about something - or ridiculously frustrated, he encouraged me to pray.  We would read the Bible with each other - and tried our best to dig deeper into what He wanted for our lives.  Eventually, these feelings started to develop again.  It was weird...and out of the blue.  I was enjoying my singleness.  I needed more time.  He was respectful of that - and our friendship never changed.

December rolled around, and something just sort of clicked.  I had peace and was ready to pursue a relationship so, I let him know.  In that awkward, not really sure where to go from here, moment I asked, "sooo...what now?"  He replied, "Give it time - we'll create a memory."  More time, I could do that.  With that time, we carried on as friends, as usual.  Behind the scenes, he was seeking permission to from my parents to date me.  Again - this is not something I've ever experienced in a relationship.  The amount of respect he has for my family and I is just unreal.  For once, both of my parents approved!  My mom has always been a little more conservative in her approval - and has literally never approved of any relationship I've been in.  Her "yes" means the world to me.  My dad has never been given the opportunity to have an opinion, so I'm sure he was pretty happy to have a say.  My dad and Brian get along really well too - which is also awesome.

I patiently waited, wondering when this memory would be made.  Finally, January 19th, we went out to the Melting Pot to celebrate my new job!  Little did I know, we'd be celebrating so much more.  Right when we sat down, he gave me the most perfect card.  It pretty much described our entire friendship - then some sweet writing from him on the inside.  After I finished my card, which ended in making us "officially official" (on the same date we were eleven years ago) - he gave me a box, which held a beautiful heart necklace.

We are one week into the relationship - and it's pretty neat.  Nothing has really changed other than a title.  We continue to grow in God together - keeping our focus on Him being in the center of it all.  We maintain those boundaries, respect each other, and have adventure.

This is a very different type of relationship in that God is involved through and through.  This is how a relationship should be.  :]

In other news: "Butterflies taste with their hind feet."
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-jennilea

We danced all night...with the best band ever!

One goal on my list that I was really unsure I could make happen - Meeting the Backstreet Boys (a backstreet boy?) - it finally happened! They came to town in December, so family and friends joined in to get after party and meet and greet passes  as a birthday present.

The entire night was absolutely amazing!  They performed so incredibly well - as expected.  Then, we went to a club for the after party, where Nick was the DJ.  He did a pretty good job.  The meet and greet was very brief, but we were able to be around them more during the party itself.  AJ walked up - while on stage, and asked me how I was doing.  I told him we were celebrating my birthday, so he wished me a happy birthday and took a photo with me.  It was so neat!  Then, after nearly being trampled by a crazy drunk girl, Howie pulled Jess and I up on the stage to dance with them - along with several others.  He also offered me a shot, but I respectfully declined, as I don't drink.  Crazy drunk girl was aaallllll for it  thought!  HA!  We ended up staying on stage the entire night and danced with all of the boys - except Nick, because he was the DJ, and Brian because he was not at the party.  What a sweet family man. :]  

Of all the boys, I felt AJ and Howie were the most approachable, although they were all incredibly nice guys.

The after party was better than I could have ever expected.  I had a blast!  I wish the night could have lasted a bit longer.

Such a great time!  I feel blessed to have been able to attend.  Thank you to Uncle B, Mom, and Jessica for pitching in for this awesome gift!

Next blog - we will discuss a certain goal in tights.  

In other news:  I'm going to New York for the New Year!  Only a few more sleeps until takeoff!

81 goals complete.  20 more to go.

-jennilea

Dear Santa...

The photo to the left will be explained further into the post.  Spoiler alert: it is awesome:

Speaking of awesome, for Christmas this year, I got season 7 of HIMYM!  Marathons will be happening for WEEKS!
In addition,  How I Met Your Mother has been signed for a 9th season with all original cast members.

To top it all off, the Backstreet Boys performed this morning - nailed it.  All my dreams...

My last post discussed the Dear Santa program; we were able to adopt 3 letters!  I headed out to buy presents for the families (with Christina), and we ended up meeting a lady at WalMart who was selling things to raise money to buy presents for her kids.  Our church had received a lot of donated, unopened toys, so we were able to help out this family as well - for a total of 4.

The first family had 6 kids!  The college group and I headed out with their gifts, including a crib and two mattresses, When we arrived, the kids opened their presents with excitement.  Their mother pulled me aside and let me know that this was their very first Christmas they had every had, with presents.  They were very excited over getting presents, coloring books, crayons, jump ropes, cards, tiaras, etc. I am pretty sure the puzzles were their favorite though.  I was happy we were all able to see them open their gifts!

The next family was the one with the letter from the little boy. We bought his grams a Bible and had her name engraved it in.  She was so happy to have her new Bible and couldn't wait to open it up!  They were very grateful, and even gave us a thank you card.   In the photo to the left, the boy in the red sweater is the one who wrote the letter.  It was a very sweet moment to see them interact together.  She was so proud of her grandson for thinking of her and for his heart for God.   This was an absolutely amazing thing to be a part of.

We did not get to stay to see the other two families open their presents, but they really appreciated their gifts.

Four families lives where impacted this Christmas because of Carmen's suggestion to add Dear Santa to my list.  This has been an great experience altogether, and I plan on doing it again next year with the College Group.

On another note, school is out, which is nice.  I was lucky enough to be able to enroll in all the classes I need for the next semester and will have my AA by May 2013!  I have also applied to Sac State and am ready to transfer over.  I will be majoring in Communications, and can't wait to see where this will take me.

In the time off, so far, I have enjoyed spending time with mySteven.  Definitely long overdue, as my night classes took over my life, and he had to work late nights.  I have also began working on my new puzzle.  This one is tough.  A lot of the colors are very similar.  So far, the border is done, and two birds.  Photos will come as I get a wee bit further.  Toilet training my cats is getting better. We will be punching out our first hole this month!

I also attended one amazing Ugly Christmas Sweater White Elephant Gift Potluck Game Night with my awesome friends.  We were all dressed in our best for this wonderful occasion.  I am grateful to have all of these wonderful people in my life.

I am also looking forward to running again!  I have not ran in a month.  Disappointing.  I have found a web site that tells me all of the runs that are coming up, and have found a few that I may consider for my half marathon!  Training really needs to ramp up though, because it will be within the next month and a half.

2013 is going to be crazy, fun, amazing, and full of new and exciting experiencing!  I cannot wait for it!  Next year will be my last opportunity to go to New York for the new year, before my list is up, so that will be happening.  I am looking forward to all of the traveling and adventure that will be had!

In other news:  "The pattern of your heartbeat changes to mimic the type of music you're listening to."
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-jennilea