Our Love Story

 (Originally Posted 2.7.12)

In honor of Valentine's Day, I'm linking up with Becky for Our Love Story.

 1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

That's kind of a tough question. Keegan and I have "officially" been together for a little over 2 years (our anniversary was on December 26.) However, we "dated" for about 6 months before we made it official so technically 2.5 years? (When we first met, I was just getting out of a 3.5 year relationship and wasn't looking for anything serious. Keegan ended up going on a co-op for school in Alabama and I decided to break things off while he was away because I didn't want to do a long distance relationship.) 

2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

The short version? We met through a mutual friend. 

The long version? Keegan and I lived and went to school an hour and a half away from each other. My roommate "C" was dating his roommate "M" and told M's friend, Keegan, that she had a single girl friend back home (I had just gotten out of a 3.5 year relationship and wasn't really looking for a new relationship, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone new.) Keegan and I talked over Facebook chat for a week or so, and decided that he should drive down to Columbia, where I was going to school, so we could meet (mind you, I was still living at my ex's apartment, so Keegan picking me up there was slightly awkward.) Anyways, since both Keegan and I were/are huge photography buffs, we decided to go to the local state park to take pictures. We ended up sitting by a waterfall and talking for hours, with no pictures taken. We went out for lunch at my favorite pizza joint and then he dropped me off at work and drove the hour and a half back to Rolla. I gushed to all of my work friends about this great guy I had just met, and C told me later that Keegan walked into the boy's house with the biggest grin on his face (she was in Rolla for the weekend.) 

For about 6 months, we were "dating" with me going to Rolla for most of the weekends to get out of my ex's apartment. Again, I wasn't looking for a serious relationship, so that why I say we were "dating." We never made it official, but neither one of us saw anyone else during that time. 

Keegan than got a co-op down in Alabama, and I decided to break things off with him because I really didn't want a long-distance relationship. During the summer he was in Alabama, I dated one of my ex's friends who we'll call "T" (I know, I know, I shouldn't have done that.) Anyways, this guy ended up going into the Army right after we started dating and it was really hard on me while he was in basic training. Keegan and I were still keeping in touch and he was unbelievable listening to me cry on the phone almost every night about this other guy I was seeing. Finally it clicked that Keegan should be the guy I was with, so one day, when T called me from basic training, I told him I was breaking things off to date Keegan again (I'm such a sweetheart eh?) We picked up where we had left off and I started going to Rolla almost every weekend again. We made it official on December 26, 2009 and we've been together ever since. Now do you see why it's hard to say how long we've been together?!

3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

We're actually getting married in about 6 months! August 4, 2012 is the big day and I cannot wait! 

4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We're getting married in my hometown of Columbia, Missouri. We've invited over 200 people, but we're expecting about 115 people to show up (I don't know if that's a big or small wedding these days.) All of my extended family lives in Canada (where I was born,) so I'm not expecting them to fly down for the wedding. 

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Oh do we! There are too many to list off, but I often call him honey, babe, or squiddle-butt (don't ask, I honestly don't remember how this one came to be.) He calls me Ais, honey, and many others. 

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

Again, there are too many to name. He is one of the most caring, sweet and honest people I know. He puts up with me which can be a hard task at times. He's been with me through some of the biggest changes and challenges of my life (graduating college, moving with him to Mississippi,) and has been my biggest supporter and shoulder to cry on while we've tried to figure out what is going on with these strange headaches I keep getting. I've never loved anyone as much as I love him.

7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

Sorry guys, this is kind of long, but funny (I'd like to think!)

After a long day of looking at houses and playing with puppies at a friend's house, Keegan and I went out to a fancy dinner, fancier for just a "normal" Saturday night. I thought something was up, but Keegan said he wanted to take me out in celebration of our first day of house-hunting. I didn't complain because I got dessert out of the deal.

After dinner, Keegan and I went back home for the night. I hopped in the shower and Keegan began to make some frantic phone calls. He had tried to contact my dad, Doug, all week to formally ask for his daughter's hand in marriage, but for some reason, my dad wouldn't pick up the phone. After trying to call Doug's cell phone again, Keegan finally contacted my sister, Brianne, to see if she was near my dad. Bri was out to dinner for her homecomming dance, so she couldn't be much help. Keegan than stole my phone to see if calling  my mom with my number would make her pick up. Keegan got a hold of my mom and asked to speak to my dad. My mom thought that something was wrong with me until Keegan hinted enough to her that it was something totally different that he need to talk to my dad about. Unfortunately, my dad was in the shower, but my mom ran up the stairs and pulled him out. Keegan asked my dad for his daughter's hand in marriage while he was in the shower, dripping wet. As Brianne said later, "only in our family!"

I got out of the shower, totally in the dark of the frantic phone calls that had just happened, and Keegan suggested that we go for a drive, something that we like to do often. Keegan drove out to Lake Oktibbeha and the two of us walked out on the dock under the stars. After some small talk was made, I was looking out over the water when Keegan suddenly said my name. I turned around and Keegan was on one knee with a ring in his hands! Keegan asked me to marry him and through a mixture of laughing and crying, I said yes. Happy phone calls were made to both families and I was soon filled in about the funny phone call that had happened just hours before.

8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

Can I saw neither? Honestly he doesn't really give gifts for holidays or anniversaries unless I really prompt him to. I have to drop some major hints to even get flowers. 

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Well, I've never really been on a beach, but I would love to one day. I love watching movies with Keegan, however. Most Saturday nights, that's what we end up doing unless we have something going on for work or I drop huge hints that I want to go out and do something. 

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

I want to travel to Ireland and Scotland some day. Both of our families have roots there and I've wanted to go there since I was little. I've always been infatuated with the cultures and my name is even Gaelic. It means "a dream." 

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day.

Well since we just bought our first house, probably not a whole lot. However, I *might* have something up my sleeve for Keegan. 

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

Well I didn't exactly ask for it for Valentine's Day, but we did just buy our first house as well as a washer/dryer and fridge. I don't think I should ask for much more right now hahaha. 

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.

Trust. Both in each other and that your relationship will work out. Keegan and I didn't live in the same city until we moved to Mississippi in May of 2011. We went to school 1.5 hours away from each other and he did 3 co-ops/internships in different states while we knew each other. I had to one, trust him that he wouldn't find another hottie (not that I was really worried about that,) but I also had to trust that we would make it. It was hard not seeing each other for a month at a time, but I had to trust in our relationship and that we'd make it through. 

14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.

You didn't think I'd really pick just one did you?