Six Whole Months...

I've never been one to track monthly anniversaries - hell, I've never really even celebrated an anniversary. They've just never stuck out to me as a big deal really...so you made it another month, that's exciting...but doesn't necessarily warrant a big "to do."

That said, today marks 6 whole months since my first date with Mark, and I can't help but eat my aforementioned words. Its exciting. 6 months of honest-to-goodness, deep down happy. I think that's more of a "to do" than I have ever given credit for. Probably because I've never experienced 6 months with someone I was this in love with. That must make some sort of difference, or at least that's how it seems.

Mark and I met - well, met in person - on September 16th. We met for "a quick drink" before I left for Tennessee and he left for a work trip to Tacoma. We ended up hitting it off and chatted each other's ear off for about 4 hours at the Ram. I was immediately attracted to his humor, his smile, and the way he paid attention when I was talking. We talked about all the taboo things you DON'T talk about on first dates - family, kids, ex relationships - the things that should have made us both run the other way. But I think having both experienced a similar past helped us understand each other better, and made us both aware of why things were SO slow moving in the beginning.

In the past 6 months, not only have I grown in my relationship with Mark, but I have grown and changed so much. We are both quite different than we were when we met. Less hesitant, less reserved, more open and honest, and much more equipped to have those big conversations as needed.

I spend a lot of time gushing to those of you who read this, so I don't need to write it all down again, but I sure am lucky - and happy to be with a man who finds himself equally as lucky. :)