from the heart.

why do you love me?

 i asked, as i've done so many times before

because i couldn't imagine not loving you 

he said.

soulmates.

"A soul-mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys that fit our locks. 

When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out 

& we can be completely and honestly who we are." 

- Richard Bach

three.

3 years ago today I started dating the love of my life. 

He's my best friend, my partner in crime, my everything.

Not a day goes by where I'm not thankful for the amazing man in my life.

Three years goes by pretty quick, 1095 days seems like a lot. 

It's not though, because I'm hoping we have at least another 80 or so years together.

The days are long, but the years are short.

Thank you Andrew for always being there to comfort me, listen to me, hold me, kiss me, love me and understand me. I don't know what I'd do without you. 

I love you.

j.e. + a.r. 

<3 

09.11.10

I love you means.

"I love you means that I accept you for the person that you are and that I do not wish to change you into someone else. It means I do not expect perfection from you-just as you do not expect it from me. It means I will love you and stand by you even through the worst of times. It means loving you when you're in a bad mood or too tired to do the things I want to do. It means loving you when you're down-not just when you are fun to be with. 'I love you' means I know you're deepest secrets and do not judge you for them-asking in return that you do not judge me for mine. It means I care enough to fight for what we have and that I love you enough not to let go. It means thinking of you, dreaming of you, wanting and needing you constantly, and hoping that you feel the same way for me."

Love is a wonderful thing, though it isn't always easy. I'm so lucky to have found who I believe to be the love of my life. I love waking up next to him every morning and these past three-and-a-half months of long-distance have really pulled on my heart strings.

Thank goodness that's over.

When we get home from this trip, we only have four sleeps apart, which is considerably more manageable than four months apart. 

Long distance is draining. Having one person drive six hours per weekend really takes a lot out of your. I kind of never want to do long-distance again. Hopefully, we'll never have to.

As our three-year-anniversary approaches (18 days) I feel more and more confident that this is in fact right. It may not be perfect everyday, there are ups & downs but in the end it's totally and completely worth it. 

things i'm loving lately.

the world is such a magnificent place.

there is so much beauty, sometimes you just have to look.

<3

goodbyes.

goodbyes don't get any easier, no matter what anyone tells you.
the past three weekends have been filled with hellos and goodbyes.
hellos fill us up with excitement, love and joy
and goodbyes seem to take that all away.

they leave us empty.

longing to fill a void.
and the only thing that gets us through is the promise of seeing each other soon.

hello...
           ...goodbye.

valentine's day.

of the 365 days in a year this is one of my favorites.

whether i’m single or taken, i love this day.

pink hearts, white lace, love is in the air.

chocolate, jewelry, teddy bears, flowers.

tonight i go for dinner with the love of my life, my other half.

we usually keep it pretty low key, we don’t want to make it too material.

it’s about spending time with each other, appreciating each other, saying thank you.

it’s about the foundation of that little word l.o.v.e.

a little word that is so profound.

love can move mountains, love conquers all, or so they say.

i’ve always been a fan of love, and i believe in the end of course, it triumphs.

i am so incredibly head over heels in love with love.

i love, love.

it’s your turn to brag, tell me how spoiled you are.

what did you do for your loved ones, and what did they do for you.

plans for tonight? dinner? movie? both?

soak it up, this day only comes once a year,

and i want to know every detail.

& my other half.

he's perfect.
he really is.
i couldn't ask for better.

my other half.
he completes me. makes me better.
pushes me to do my best, to challenge myself.

i'm one lucky gal.

he's my other half.
my best friend.
my partner in crime.
my shoulder to lean on.
my protector. my comforter.

he makes me laugh, non-stop.
holds me when i cry.
gets me through the tough stuff.
listens, kisses, trusts.

he's mine.
all mine.
<3

j.e. + a.r.