17 YearS

It was 17 years ago today that Chris and I went out on our first date.
I had a crush on him for quite some time before that. Actually to say a major crush would still be a huge understatement!
We went out with friends to play pool, I could count on one hand the number of times I have played pool but I would have gone almost any where if it would have meant spending time with Chris.
This actually is not our first date, just hanging out, but it's the night he asked me out for our first date.
After playing pool we went to leave and discovered that my friend Kathy, who drove us to the pool hall, had locked her keys in the car. Chris and I went across the street to grab a soda out of a soda machine while we were waiting for Kathy's dad to come rescue us. On the way back across the street Chris asked me if I was going to the prom. I said no. He asked why and I said that no one had asked me.
That's when it happened. He asked me out on a date. TO THE PROM! I had to seriously contain my excitement and just calmly said yes even though my insides were trying to jump out of my skin!
Over the next few weeks I made all the plans for the night. A new dress, I tried on a hundred and ended up buying the first one I tried on! Hair, nails, make-up, flowers.... It was so exciting!
Then the night I had anxiously awaited came.
It was prom night.
Our first date.

17 years have gone by and I still could recount pretty much the entire night. I won't bore you by doing that though. Just know that it was an AMAZING night and the start to an even more AMAZING relationship.

What I realized a few months ago is that it is not just 17 years, it is half my life. I am 34 years old. I have been with Chris for half my life now.

And that major crush on him back then is absolutely nothing in comparison to what I feel for him now. He holds my heart in his hands. Our relationship is better then it has ever been, and it has always been great! My love for him is beyond what any words could say.

The last half of my life, the last 17 years have been WONDERFUL, so wonderful in fact that I am looking forward to the next half of my life with my soul mate by my side!