Where it all began

On the anniversary of our first year of marriage, Kyle and I took a stroll down memory lane…

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To our alma mater, where it all began. 

I’ve shared the abbreviated story of how Kyle and I met and started dating on the blog before, but for my newer readers, it was our on-campus job that brought us together. 

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From there it was an unnecessarily complicated course…due to my own disbelief that he was in fact as wonderful as he seemed [turns out, he was is]. 

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Dear 20-something ladies,

Keep your heads up and hearts open, because in a sea of douche bag college boys, occasionally a wonderful, kind, and caring guy will come along.  I promise!  So don’t give up hope.  Or worse, stand in your own way (like I almost nearly did).  I know it’s hard once you’ve been burned by a relationship gone south, but always give love the benefit of the doubt.  That said, make him work a little, too…you’re worth it.  😉

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Kyle and I “dated” on and off for a full year before making it official.  It was a year full of sorority date parties, Spanish study sessions, and campus work shifts – all spent flirting shamelessly – but that’s as far as it went.  Not Kyle’s favorites as far as memories go.  Having been screwed over by loser(s), I wasn’t ready for a relationship.  It only takes one idiot male to ruin it for the rest, right?  Plus, I was a senior (he was a sophomore), and I wasn’t thinking straight. 

Thanks to the support of our friends and Kyle’s persistence, we eventually became a real couple.  It was the perfect ending to a long and exhausting summer courtship.  Within weeks, I realized our love was undeniable.  We just…fit. 

Unfortunately, this was right before he went abroad to Madrid.  Not great timing on our part. 

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I visited him in Spain and we had the time of our lives; and when he came back to school in the winter, we picked up right where we left off. 

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At that point I had graduated (pre-med with no intention of going to medical school) and was working part-time at the hospital while taking nursing school pre-reqs.  The next two years were amazing and it was clear that we were meant to be. 

Me and Kyle wine tasting

Between 2006 and 2007 we went through a lot of (location) changes, but our relationship never suffered.  Kyle graduated and took a job in San Francisco, while I started nursing school in Philly.  Goodbye LA!

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Long distance was hard and it wasn’t.  I missed him terribly, but we were both so so busy.  It was almost easier to continue and pursue our dreams apart because of how focused each of us was.  Career advancement aside, we always put our relationship first, which is how we made it through living so far apart.  That same year, Kyle’s group in SF dissolved and he was offered a position in NYC.  I was close to finishing nursing school and even though I had planned on starting my life as as RN in California, there was an excitement to NYC that made us say “What the hell!?  Let’s go for it.” 

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And so we did.  Kyle moved to New York in April of 2007 and I joined him as soon as I graduated. 

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And the rest is history…

Now back to this weekend. 

Like I said, we decided to take a stroll through campus on our anniversary.  For nostalgia’s sake.

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Of course we had to stop by our old “office”.  🙂

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It may be cheesy, but it was nice to reminisce on the past and think back to the early days of our relationship.  And that’s how we celebrated year number one. 

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Comments (23)

  1. Gavi @ Gavi Gets Going!

    Congratulations to you and your wonderful husband! It is so lovely to read your story. My fiance and I also met in college–he was my neighbor in my freshman-year dorm–and we also started dating only weeks before we both went abroad. Five years later, we have never been happier together, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him! I never thought I would find the love of my life when I was in college but, like you, I did and we have made it work over the years. Congratulations! 🙂

  2. Kamaile

    Awww that was sweet! 🙂

  3. Mimi

    Elise, I love your advice for the twenty-something ladies! It only takes one guy to make it difficult to trust other guys that come along… I guess we should give love the benefit of the doubt because we might be missing out on something great! 😉

  4. Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFiles

    Congratulations!! Any relationship is an accomplishment, particularly a long distance one! You guys look like you truly enjoy and appreciate each other 🙂

  5. Katie

    Meeker and I went back to our alma mater for our first anniversary, too. It is so fun to go back to where it all started – happy anniversary!

  6. Katie

    Happy anniversary!!! The two times I met Kyle, it was clear how smitten he was (is!) with you 🙂

    And thanks for the 20something advice… while I am far from wanting college fratboys, it’s still a comfort to know that there are other fish in this humongous, overwhelming sea.

  7. Pure2raw Twins

    love hearing your story!!! congratulations!!!!
    Gary and I have been through a lot during our 9 years of dating and we too had to do some long distance it was never fun, but we some how we survived 🙂 being with the person who makes you feel you are the most wonderful person in the world is the best!! you two are so cute!!

  8. Christine (The Raw Project)

    What a cute story, clearly you two were meant to be! I was in disbelief that my hubby was a wonderful as he seemed when I first met him too.

  9. Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats

    What a cute story! Hearing other people’s long distance success stories just makes my heart smile! 🙂 I hope mine works out as well!

  10. Lenna

    What a lovely story to share!

  11. Luciana

    Congratulations! You have a solid and strong relation, and love is “easier” that way – Because sometimes, just Love is not enough. Good work!!!

  12. Natalcho @ Tomatoes Rock

    What a great story – it is so difficult to meet your soulmate so early in life before having the career and school all figured out and done. I feel exactly the same way about long distance relationships – they are the best and the worst, they are difficult and not. If you truly love each other, they work and you are the proof of that. Congratulations on your anniversary!

  13. Sami

    Since when is cheesy a bad thing? (: I personally LOVE my cheese. Hehe.

    xo.

    congrats!

  14. Paige

    Aww happy anniversary! You guys are so cute. P.S. Congrats on ditching the blonde hair – your hair now suits you much better. 🙂

  15. Elise (Post author)

    oh my gosh i know. i cringe looking at the photos now.

  16. GetSkinny GoVegan

    Happy Anniversary!!
    Yes, sometimes long distance allows you to both achieve your goals AND makes the heart grow fonder. Been there………

  17. Yolie @ Practising Wellness

    I love hearing your story, it’s so nice to hear about the growth of your and Kyle’s relationship, and the big milestones that marked it…so cool that you went through such big changes (living apart, moving around a lot etc) but were still able to make it work regardless…you’re clearly such a great match for each other. 🙂 thank you so much for sharing, and for the encouragement to keep believing in love and being open to it, no matter what! <3 xyx

  18. hippierunner

    AWWWWWWwwwww! 🙂

  19. Cassandra Gonzalez

    Awww such a cute story! And, as a 20 year old who’s been burned in the past too, I love your advice. 🙂 Congrats!

  20. Nikki

    What an adorable post! I may use this as motivation to talk about my relationship! 🙂 I just realized I have never done so!

  21. Ethel

    LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE!!!!

    love, your ate

  22. Kristen - Anywhere There's An Airport

    It’s so true! In the sea of douche bags there ARE good ones… and hey, you didn’t even have to leave the country to find yours 🙂 Loved reading your story!

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