9 Years of Love 💕

Celebrating 9 years with Barry feels surreal! 🎉 Time really flies when you're having fun and building a life together. It's incredible to look back and see how far we've come. 💑

We've certainly faced challenges together. But amidst the tough times, we've had countless amazing moments—like beach camping trips, house renovations, and simply enjoying each other's company. We even coined a motto: "We have fun, whatever we do!" because we're best friends who find joy in everything, from mundane errands like going to the DMV to thrilling adventures like skydiving. ☀️

Our story started in 2013 when we both worked out with the same gym crew. 🏋️‍♂️ Instantly, we clicked and became fast friends. For about a year and a half, we were strictly platonic, spending endless hours on the phone or hanging out at each other's places. Then, in 2015, something shifted, and we realized there was more to our bond than just friendship. It was hilarious—I even started wearing makeup to the gym, which Barry noticed one day mid-workout, embarrassing me to no end. 💄

Once we admitted our feelings, I took the plunge and sort of asked Barry out on our first date. I casually mentioned I'd be at our favorite coffee shop, inviting him to join me if he felt like it (*playing it cool* 🙃). And there he came, rolling up in his convertible BMW, looking dashing in a crisp white shirt on that warm summer evening. That night felt different, despite the familiarity of the setting—we were stepping into uncharted territory, navigating newfound romantic feelings for each other. 🌟

On our second date, we went out to eat before heading back to my place to hang out. As I attempted to show him something on my laptop, it became apparent that my computer skills were lacking—I had unknowingly downloaded something that messed it up. 💻 Barry, being the tech-savvy guy he is, ended up spending the next 2 hours diagnosing and fixing it. By the time he finished, it was late, and he had to head home. After Barry left, I found myself sitting in my living room, grappling with a sudden realization—I was in love with him. In a moment of impulse, I dashed out of my house, hoping to catch him before he drove away, feeling like I was living out a scene from a romantic comedy. 🏃‍♀️ My heart was pounding. But alas, the driveway was empty, and Barry had already left. Just a comedic twist to an otherwise memorable evening! 😅

The following day, I mustered up the courage to confront the tension that had been building between us. As we sat in Barry's living room, I leaned in for a kiss, only to be met with his playful reference to a movie— so instead of Barry kissing me, he places his open hand on my face and says, “ Ahh! Facehugger!” ( a reference to the movie Alien 👽). I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me, prompting a hasty retreat. Barry caught up with me, expressing his concern that taking our friendship to the next level might jeopardize what we had. He feared that if a romantic relationship failed, we might lose each other entirely. After some convincing, I reassured him that we could navigate whatever challenges came our way, and the rest, as they say, is history. ❤️