Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Best Friend!

Sometime in 2008, I met the person who would eventually become my husband, though I didn't know it at the time.  I had just started working at Brick Oven Pizza in Conway, when all of the other employees were excitedly awaiting the return of Axle.  With a name like Axel, I was expecting some big, beefed up, redneck to come walking in the door.  Boy was I wrong.  In walked Alex (aka Axel), skinny as could be, but very cute.  We worked together a few times before either of us really tried to start a conversation with the other.  Finally, we started talking about what we did when we weren't at Brick Oven.  At the time, I was a lube tech at Mr. Brake and Lube; Alex was a lube tech at Honda World (he had just left Mr. Brake and Lubes 2nd location).  What a coincidence, the same jobs at the same time.  We hung out a couple of times, but nothing ever came of it.  We both quit Brick Oven after a short time and never stayed in touch.

Lucky for those of you reading, you already know this isn't a sad story where we never see each other again, you know what happened, but I'll tell you again anyways.

Late September of 2009, Alex called and wanted to hang out.  I had just ended a terrible relationship and wanted nothing to do with him. I said no, because not only was I not in the mood, my parents would not approve of me hanging out with someone so soon.  Well a short time later, he called again but this time I agreed.  It would be fun to see him again, plus I was sure we were just going to be friends.  I could do friends.  Our first adventure was at the Salem Trails.  It was cold outside and I had just gotten off work, so I was still in my lube tech attire.  He had time to change, I think.  We met up, walked, talked.  Lucky for him, my mechanic jacket had my name sewn on it, so even though he had forgot my first name, he didn't have to admit it.  The night ended with a kiss, butterflies in my stomach, and my heart doing back-flips.  Over the course of the next month we went out on "mini-dates" here and there and on November 1, 2009 he asked me to be his girlfriend.  Two words, no, make it four: SO sweet, SO surprising.

Well the months passed on and I think it was April 2010 before the 3 big words were finally admitted.  We had both been running circles around the thought of love, but neither of us wanted to get anywhere close to it.  Well, it happened anyway, as much as each of us tried to deny it.  We were in the bathroom for some reason (brushing teeth, who knows) and were leaving on our way to go out.  He said something funny, as I started laughing "I loooov, oohhh, uummmm" came out of my mouth.  (It was suppose to be I love you, but I was so afraid to say it I tried to choke it back.)  He looked at me with big eyes, asked me to repeat myself, and then again, to my surprise said, "I love you too."  <---Freaking awesome day! 

He just keeps surprising me.  We had discussed engagement, living together, the whole nine yards.  He told me he didn't want to be engaged until we lived together, he won't propose on a holiday, the list goes on.  On December 25, 2010, after dating for the last 13 months, Alex proposed!  THE BEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!  He brings me joy every day.  He is my rock, he keeps me sane, calm, rationale, and logical.  Sure, I would be okay without him, because I am an independent woman who knows how to take care of myself, but with him, my life is so much more fun, enjoyable, adventurous...my life is just more full of life. 

I love you Alex. You are my best friend.