Three Little Words

I know, I know. It’s been too long. I’ve been trekking all around the state of Florida in my trusty Little Blue (2004 Honda Civic… poor thing), and I haven’t had a chance to sit down and write.

This weekend Blake and I celebrated our first anniversary, so I thought I’d share a little story with you all.

***

A few weeks into our official relationship I surprised Blake with NASCAR tickets. We’d both been to a race before, but I really wanted to spend an entire day with him enjoying something that he truly loves. So off we went.

That night also happened to be the night of the Benny Benassi concert. He is my absolute favorite house DJ, and I was 100 percent set on going right after NASCAR. I knew I would cutting it close, but I didn’t realize how close.

I got to Phi Delt too late, and everyone had already left without me. Blake tried to cheer me up, even suggesting that I go to midtown with him and his friends. I rejected the idea and said that I just wanted to go home. I really wanted to sleep off my disappointment.

In the middle of our conversation, Blake and I noticed two girls slumped outside the Phi Delt kitchen. Trash hadn’t been picked up yet, so they looked like quite the pair surrounded by all that garbage. Blake suggested finding someone to help them, but I volunteered to do it.

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll take care of them before going home.”

Then, turning to face the girls I said to him, “Go have fun at midtown, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow, okay? I love you.”

“What did you just say?”

I froze.

Shit. What did I just say? It had completely slipped out, and I could feel blood rushing to my face. I stalled a moment before turning around to face him.

“Look, it just came out,” I said desperately. “I’m sorry but I’m not taking it back.”

The look on his face was completely foreign to me, and for a moment, I thought I had completely screwed up our relationship. He continued to look at me–a mixture of uncertainty and sympathy.

My insides were all tangled up, and I was still in complete shock.  I had said it at the most unromantic time possible… near a mountain of Phi Delt trash with two unconscious girls as witnesses.

“Nhi… I love you, too,” he said. “But… Can we do this again tomorrow?”

—

This painting (by yours truly!) is currently hanging in my office, inspired by a Steve Jobs quote. It’s actually composed of a layer of old book pages, but it doesn’t show in this picture.

Speaking of homemade, Blake and I agreed to make each other gifts this year. So I took on this huge craft project.

And this was his idea of a homemade present -_-

Happy Anniversary!