OH Albany

The people of Albany can be a little strange. I don't mind it, for I find it entertaining. One morning my boss Glory, who also lives in Albany, came in to tell me about the weirdest thing she has seen yet. There was a man that was out walking about the neighborhood, presumably getting his exercise. Normal right? Ha! She said that he was wearing camouflage shorts, boots, NO shirt, and a ski mask. UM YA. 

Then she found this in the Albany Democrat Herald, and I laughed so hard!  

 

A Birthday that started it all...

SEVEN years ago Monday, Greg and I met. My oh my how time flies, and how things change. Little did we know that we were destined to be together from that point forward. Seriously though, we met at a church FHE, that happened to be on the most exciting subject: Food Storage! I was with a friend, and he was with roommates, and we kept giving each other the "eye". You know that "eye" I'm talking about. Anyway, we introduced ourselves afterward, and then all went back to his house to hang out. Our friends ended up making out for a few hours, so Greg and I got to know each other. I even folded his clothes that night.

Two days later was his BIRTHDAY! I couldn't go to his party, but I made him a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. What's funny is that there was this girl that was his friend who was leaving his party as I was coming in with a cake. She gave me the evil eye and a week later gave him an ultimatum of me or her. I won.

That weekend was our first date. He was so stinkin cute! He picked me up on his motorcycle and we went to see a movie. A month later- we were officially a couple. I can still remember the first time he kissed me in public in front of friends- I freaked out! I mean, it took us 3 dates to have our first kiss. Probably a good thing too cause once we started smoochin it was all over...I just couldn't stop kissing those lips! But soon after that first "public" kiss, I calmed down and knew I wanted to be with him for good.
The day we became an official couple he drove on his bike all the way to 24th & Lincoln in Phoenix where I had just started a new job. That drive only took him the better part of an hour- just to have lunch with me and make us "official". We've basically been joined at the hip ever since.

I have to confess here and now that Greg proposed to me about a month and a half before he "officially proposed" to me. It was so sweet....we were sitting on the porch at a cabin up in Pinetop, AZ (we stayed a night there with my grandparents), drinking a cup of tea. We were just snuggly and talking, and then completely out of the blue- he leaned over and said, "Andrea, will you marry me?" Of course I said yes. But then I asked, "Did you ask my dad already?" I was so worried about doing it the "proper" way. A few weeks later he did ask my dad, and then we had our "official" engagement with the ring, and the hike at midnight, and dancing under the stars. Both were just perfect.

Greg and I on the night he first proposed.

My reason for telling all of this right now is just because whenever his birthday comes around, I just can't help but think about how it all started. How I got to be so lucky to have a man that I love so much. He is so incredibly kind, patient, caring, understanding, smart and creative. He is my match and I love him with all of my heart.

Happy Birthday to my man! I love you Greg and am so lucky to have you in my life!