This Is Your Song...

Dear Future Wife,

So... from popped balloons, to late night grocery store snack runs, to creepy hallways... Sitting with you listening to a guy performing as Elton John took it out of me. Sometimes I want to put a fast forward on life so that I can hurry up and be your husband, but I don't because I'm sure I'd miss so many important things that way. That moment with you is one I'm afraid I'd have missed... I wouldn't trade that memory for anything.

This year has been the best thing ever. I'm still not sure why I thought it was March, or that our first date was on the 17th... but, I'm glad we got to do something memorable... even if the food was dreadful lol

(WTF IS THIS? THE SHINING?!?)

Your Birthday, Christmas, and the New Year

Dear Future Wife,

Over the past couple of weeks we've had so many things go on. Your birthday... I am so glad you trusted me enough to make your day great. Your tattoo turned out amazing! I'm so happy you like it. You are the one person I've ever wanted to do so much for. I will never stop. Even when 7 years rolls around, 14 years, 21 years... etc. I won't stop.

Christmas was the best I've ever had. The joy in your eyes when I gave you "The Giver" made my year. Thank you for spending the New Year with me. I enjoyed going to the museum with you, and getting to kiss you when the new year rolled in. I'm looking forward to the craziness that will happen this Spring.

I adore your parents. Keith seems like a really funny guy, but he seems like he doesn't want to show his cards. You mom is definitely a kind soul - She seems very protective of you. I'm glad for that. I wouldn't have it any other way. However, it scares me to think I'm going to have to ask them for their blessing at some point...

Interesting Happenings

Dear Future Wife,

This week two interesting things happened. Yesterday, I got your actual Christmas present back from Ms. Lois Lowry. She signed the dedication as I had asked... because Caroline Renée... YOU DON'T SUCK!

The other interesting thing was today... I got worried that I had broken your heart at some point because a friend said that all men do it... When I asked you, you said that I hadn't yet, and asked me why. I told you about what she had said, and you agreed that it's just a matter of time before I break your heart. It took me aback... Because truly, my heart would crumble if I ever broke your heart -- even if just a fracture.

You got short with me, and told me that thinking about hypothetical things will just make me crazy... and you didn't have the patience for it at that time... and ended it with "So, fuck that shit." And it made me think, yeah... fuck that shit! Then I reread what you wrote, and I was like... why did I not get hurt by what she wrote there? I've figured it out. I'm finally starting to trust you more, and overcoming some of my tendencies to worry. I mean, who knows why you got short... you were probably having a bad hair day - you just got it cut 2 days ago.

I will see you tonight, and tomorrow. I'm looking forward to Christmas.

I Met Your Parents...

Dear Future Wife,

So, the Friday before Thanksgiving, I started putting money down on the ring that I'm going to give you today. Now I just have to live on ramen & tofu for a few months lol (just kidding... sorta lol)

I met your parents on Thanksgiving. I was so worried, and in hindsight, there was no reason for it. The time spent there will be unforgettable to me, as I'm sure it will be the same for you. I know you said most of your Thanksgivings in the past were not great, so the bar was set pretty low as far as what to expect. Then when I dropped you off at your home, you told me it was the best Thanksgiving ever. Now, while I do know the bar was set pretty low, I know that overall you enjoyed yourself because of you were smiling after a week that would have normally left you wanting to stab everyone in the face.

I look forward to what Christmas will bring.

Caroline & Jason have earned the achievement:"Freed the Four"!

Dear Future Wife,

I don't know why I was anxious meeting more of your friends. I'm always like that on important days, I guess. This was one of the first days where we functioned as a couple, in a group. I had loads of fun, and I'm sure everyone else did as well.

Watching you quest was an amazing treat. I've been consistent in feeling that we make a good team, but we even make a team around us better. Going to Wizard Quest for Halloween was thoroughly enjoyable, and I hope we go every year, and that we get to go back up to the Dells sometime soon and go to Ripley's, or go on a Duck Ride.

Locating a Ring Vendor

Dear Future Wife,

I went to the Diamond Center yesterday. I spoke with a great guy named Brett... he told me that so many things are possible... creating rings that we've looked at online... just amazing things.

The only word I can use to describe the whole thing is "serendipity". You see, the store manager's name is Jason. They have a sales rep there named Caroline. It's not too often that things like this happen in life.

Lazy Days Off

Dear Future Wife,

Yesterday was the most amazing day spent with you yet. Watching crazy movies that we both like (thank you for putting up with "Four Rooms"!), a delicious lunch of sammiches, making Nutella flavored Rice Krispie treats with dark chocolate fudge on top, making love, and smart boxes with the bright lights and the clickety clackety.

I hope future days off together are just as passionate, fun, and memorable.

Where to begin...?

15th of October, 2015

Dear Future Wife,

Today I learned something about myself. I learned that you are the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. You don't know this yet, but you will. We've been talking about rings and other silly things for a few weeks now, but I am now starting to plan to get your ring, and how to ask you.

I want it to be special. While you are potentially the first woman I will marry, you are not the first woman I've asked. I've grown quite a lot since that time in my life, and part of that is because of the support I've received from you.

I will write more to you soon.

Yours, as you wish,
-J