Picture it...

December 2000. I had just broken up with my girlfriend about a month ago and had been chatting via AIM with a friend of a friend for a few weeks. We decided to meet up at the local lesbian bar on the night of December 23rd.

On my way from campus, I swung by my aunt's house where my older, Mormon, just married to a Catholic, cousin was staying for the holidays. She was going to go with me to the bar.

The beginning of the night is a blur. I do know that a lot of my friends were there, including my ex (Lynne)

Let me pause here to tell you a little bit about Lynne. She was my first official gf and she looked like a 12 year old boy. She was slightly younger than me and had short spiky red hair. She had tattoos and piercings (2 of which I accompanied her to get). She was a super fan of Metallica and wore a chain to connect her wallet to her pocket. As the first girl I ever brought home, my parents were less than thrilled. (Before her
I "dated" the only black guy in my high school and then a convicted criminal for
2.5 years-Dear God please don't let our daughter put us through this!)

Anyway, back to the story. We were having a great time, watching the drag shows and dancing. Through our conversations, B knew two of my favorite songs. Since we were such regulars at the bar, we knew the staff. Without my knowing, B requested the two songs from the DJ and she played them back to back. Curious of the songs? Joe-I Wanna Know (still one of my favs!) and Faith Hill-Breathe (I have an eclectic choice in music). Since both are slow songs, we danced on the dance floor as if no one else was around. It seriously felt like the entire club emptied out. Except, of course, for my ex, staring at us from the side lines. Luckily, in swoops straight Mormon cousin! She slow danced with Lynne and kept her occupied while B and I danced, and eventually kissed.

We made our way back to the other (quieter) side. Since the drag shows had ended, it was pretty deserted. I said to her, "I want you to be my girlfriend." The rest is history. It was after midnight, so technically our anniversary is today, Christmas Eve.

I can't imagine a more perfect woman to spend my life together. Last night, as we laid in bed, her hand on my stomach to feel our daughter kick about, she said to me, "Who would have thought 10 years later we would be here?"

It's truly amazing. I love you B with all of my heart, soul, and left toe. May the next 10 years be even greater!

xoxo