Our Love Story.

 
BJ and I met in the eighth grade (1992). We had homeroom together and sat next to each other in 8th period, American History class. A big shout-out to Mr. Porter for not separating us even though he was constantly scolding us for talking to each other! I started crushin' on BJ the moment I met him. HOWEVER, one of my very best friends was also crushin' on him, so my feelings stayed hidden, for a while. The fact that my friend liked BJ gave me a great excuse to talk to flirt with him. And I was always talking to flirting with him. One day, I was pushing BJ to tell me who he "liked" and he kept denying me that answer. After much prodding, he said he would tell me after class. I still remember perfectly how nervous and anxious I was to know this. The bell rings and everyone gets up to leave the classroom. As promised, BJ is standing at the door ready to give his answer. He holds his hand up (like to give a high five) and right there on the palm of his hand is written "Y-O-U". Then he precedes to hand me a note. Wow. Wow. Wow. I swear I still remember how I felt in that moment....in love.

During that brief time we were boyfriend and girlfriend that year, I knew, I mean I really knew, I was going to marry this boy someday. We went to the 8th grade formal dance together and I still have the picture of us from that night. Even then, we were adorable.

So the year passes and we enter 9th grade. BJ and I had French class together. He was such a bad boy. Poor Ms. Drum, our teacher. It seemed like BJ was sent to the office every day! For Valentine's Day that year, we had to make (French) valentine's cards for someone in the class. Guess who my Valentine came from? BJ! It was so sweet and truly made my heart skip a beat!

Through 9th and 10th grade, BJ and I were just friends. He ran with a much different crowd and I hardly ever saw him. Our junior year, BJ started at the Technical school taking Art instead of attending the high school. I did not get to see him until track season. When the season started, I fell in love with BJ all over again as soon as I saw him. It took me a little while, but finally, I asked our friend DJ to tell BJ I liked him. That day after track practice BJ and I exchanged numbers. It was a little while before we became "official" (December 1996). That is where our lifelong journey began...my best friend, my forever love.