It was on a Friday. October, 5th. Like today. It’s been 11 years to the exact day that J’s and my paths crossed not too far from the couch that I am sitting on only about 20 miles away from here.
It’s mind-boggling to me that we’ve known each other for 11 years. It sounds like such a long time (and it is!). It’s amazing to think that I am where I am in my life because of him, because of this fateful night; that I live in a foreign country as a dual citizen with the right to stay (and vote!), that I’ve had so many experiences which have shaped me in so many ways and that have broadened my horizon more than hardly anything else.
For that, and so much more, I will be forever grateful.
I am not going to retell the story of how exactly we met and fell in love. You can read about it here. It’s just that every year around this time, I am reminded about how one single moment in time can completely change your life.
I often wonder what my life would have looked like if we hadn’t happened to cross ways, if he hadn’t decided to come up and talk to me. Would I have stayed with my ex-boyfriend? Would I have stayed in my hometown? Would we be married with kids? Or would I have ‘broken out’ of my shell in other ways? Would I have moved to a big city in Germany? Would I still have met the amazing people that I have met in the US?
I do this kind of stuff a lot; think about all the ifs, ands and buts of life.
I know, I know, I am sure a lot of people do this in one way or another. But, when one single event takes your life from a small town in Germany to the other side of the world though, I like to think that it makes you wonder a little more.
When I think about our story, I really want to believe in small miracles and it makes me hopeful for others who are on the search for their soul mate that (s)he is out there, that you actually might run into him/her when you least expect it. Just like I did.
We’re heading out to Lake Tahoe today for our 11th meet-a-versary and it’s a 4-day weekend for us on top of that. To say that I am stoked would be an understatement.
I hope you all have a great weekend and happy Columbus Day!
Nadine
October 5, 2012 at 11:26 amI read your story some time ago and I already found it all bittersweet and very cute. I love the saying “It’s just meant to be”, so I don’t have to overthink some things too much. ;-) But oh well, your story turned out just great and I’m happy you were able to let it all happen… :)
Have a wonderufl weekend. xo.
suki
October 5, 2012 at 12:55 pmi re-read your story of meeting :D
Maribeth
October 5, 2012 at 1:10 pmCongratulations, and good for you for following your heart. Many people are not as brave as you and they will never know the love and happiness you have.
Fee
October 5, 2012 at 2:32 pmI didn’t know your story before, but I love it, really. Have a great aniversary and enjoy your weekend!
Amber
October 5, 2012 at 3:07 pmThis is so sweet!!! I just love your love story! ;)
Candace
October 5, 2012 at 10:22 pmHappy anniversary! I read the story of how you two met and it was very heartwarming! Have a great weekend!
Eleni Zoe
October 6, 2012 at 2:06 amI love your how-I-met-story and I love the way it changed your life in so many ways. It’s a beautiful thing. Happy meet-iversary!
V.
October 6, 2012 at 9:41 amYou know, I often think about that too, how a little moment can change everything. My life is about to change in a similar way, all because I decided to sign up for a website where I ended up meeting N.
steph anne
October 7, 2012 at 10:53 pmSo sweet!!! :) I love it. I hope you’re having a great 4-day weekend together!
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
October 8, 2012 at 6:21 pmhappy Meet-a-versary! I am glad you get to get away and do something special together. It is pretty amazing how small moments that seem insignificant to us at the time can be life altering! And hearing about these random moments gives me hope that my random moment is just around the corner. :)
Melissa
October 9, 2012 at 7:44 amI often ask myself questions like this about life too, and wonder if I’d chosen something different how different I would be. The truth is though, would we have actually ever MADE another decision? Maybe we were meant to be with the people in our lives all along and there were no what if’s about it! I guess we’ll never really know though. Congrats to you and J on such a long-time together, and here’s to many more happy years :)
Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks
October 9, 2012 at 12:32 pmI think life, in all its ups and downs, is a series of surprises, near misses and happenstance. If we start to think about the “what ifs” these things didn’t happen, it’s pretty easy to imagine our lives being something completely different from what they actually are.
Kat
October 9, 2012 at 2:01 pmAw, happy meet-a-versary! ;) Loved your Instagrams from Lake Tahoe, I hope you guys had a great time! <3
lauryn
October 10, 2012 at 5:53 amHappy anniversary! I definitely agree that each choice we make can affect where we end up, who we meet, etc. Some things are just meant to be and are worth celebrating year after year :)
Tanja
October 10, 2012 at 2:42 pmIt’s kind of scary how similar I (sometimes) think we are.
I met Hubby 13 years ago and just because he decided to follow me to the US (where I was on vacation) I figuered he is THE ONE. Would I’ve ever moved out of my little hometown in Germany without meeting him? Would I’ve ever moved to the US without meeting him?
Congratulations on meeting your soul mate (loooong time ago ;) and happy belated meet-a-versary!
Jen
October 13, 2012 at 3:29 pmI do that too, wonder about of the what ifs, and how life would of turned out if I had decided this instead of that. I think it’s a fun mind game to play :)