Seven Years

Tomorrow marks a pretty big day in the life. Well, an anniversary of a day in the life of the Gautiers. January 18 marks our 7 year dating anniversary. SEVEN YEARS. That's a long damn time.

You know what else I have done for 7 years?? Not much. I guess I was in school for more than 7 years. But I doubt I can even say my favorite food has lasted for seven years. I still have a shirt from 7th grade that I wear...so that has lasted a long time.

My longest relationship before Doug was a whole 6 months. I dated a few boys through high school and freshman year of college. But none of them were serious, though don't tell that to high school Margaret who believed each and every one of these boys could have been the one. Which now makes me chuckle a little. Nothing against any of my ex boyfriends- I'm still friends with most of them; but I can't even imagine had I ended up with any of them.

Doug came into my life at a pretty perfect point. I may have thought I was still hung up on my ex boyfriend and kept turning him down, but if I had said yes in the very beginning of our friendship, I don't think we would have the relationship we have today. We met in October. We didn't become official until January. In those few months, we grew our friendship instead of focusing on a romantic relationship. 

Our first photo together, before we were "official".

That friendship is our base for a long and amazing relationship. We got to know each other with none of the pressures of becoming boyfriend/girlfriend. Well...that's a little bit of a lie. My roommate and his friend Matt couldn't figure out why we weren't in a relationship, and looking back neither can I, but again- I'm thankful for that time.

We learned we love good stand up and laughing together is the best (he introduced us to Daniel Tosh in this time...before Tosh.O). We learned that we're both major shit talkers (there were some vicious games of beer pong and Mario Tennis/Kart/Party) and that what we don't mean what we say during these times. He learned that my roommate and best friend is a pretty amazing person (honestly they are pretty much the same person...) and I learned that sometimes he needed his friend to talk video games and nerd out about movies because I just didn't get it. 

The 4 of us were inseparable
And cheers to drinking Natty in the dorms.

These few months of just friendship before giving us the title of boyfriend and girlfriend have lead to a strong relationship. One where I feel like we can talk about anything. We're very open about money and wanting to have kids and our goals for the future and what to eat for dinner tonight. The big, the small- we'll talk about it first. 

I know that dating anniversaries aren't as important now that we have a bigger anniversary. But January 18th will always be a day I remember. Maybe not as clearly as September 29th. Honestly, I think I was pretty hungover when we had "The Talk." But had January 18 never happened, then the last 7 years (including our beautiful wedding) would never have happened either. 

Doug- I can't believe we have been together for seven years. But I can't wait for the next seven (hopefully as homeowners) and the seven after that (as parents) and the seven after that (who knows what will come). I love you and am so glad that not only are you my husband, you are my friend. And I will always be so thankful for that friendship.