Although Will and I came home for a part of October in 2006, this is the first fall I’ve experienced since 2004.

2004!

How sad.

When I think about it, I’m pretty sure fall is my favorite season. I love spring, but the pessimist in me is reminded of the heat to come. Being home this fall has made me realize how much I missed the cold, colorful days of fall.

The days of pumpkins on porches and the smell of spice in the air. The days of Christmas decorations being brought out at Target and nights of “brrrr-y” football games all bundled up.

It reminds me of 2002 when I first this random guy with these amazingly striking blue-green eyes.

I’m sure I’ve told you all a time or two how I met this guy, but indulge me as this is my first fall back in the states.

The summer of 2002 I broke up with my boyfriend of 2 1/2 years. “The one.” He was the guy I had secretly been in love with since I was in grade school, only he never ever paid attention to me- until my junior year of high school. Anyway, we were together for quite a while (in “teen years” of course- now I know how short 2 1/2 years really is!) but I felt God telling me to break things off, so I did.

Ha-

so I did.

I say that as if it was so easy. “Brittny- break up Mr. So and So.”

“Okay God! Consider it done!”

I’m afraid it didn’t work out that way, but for the purpose of this post, let’s pretend it did.

So I spent a lot of that summer and fall growing close to God and spending lots of time with my family. It was a really good summer for me, and I’m glad I had it.

The fall of 2002, a friend and I signed up for a PE class (which was mandatory) and decided to take ballroom dancing.

The class made me throw up in my mouth a little because all these cutesy couples were in it- all lovey and happy.

Puke all over your neighbor please.

Anyway-

As you can imagine, there were far more girls in the class than guys- because, let’s face it- what single guy is willingly going to undergo the pain of learning the cha-cha.

Exactly.

Apparently Will.

Okay, not really.

He took it with a girl friend of his. Friend that was a girl- not girlfriend.

Anyway, we had to line up like cattle while the guys would take turns dancing with all the girls. It was like awkward junior high dances all over again. Sweaty weird palms in your hand. Forced conversations. Yeah- a blast.

Then we learned how to swing dance. I met Will on a cold, fall November night swing dancing to “Return to Sender”

A real Lifetime movie sort of encounter (ha ha).

We talked and talked and talked through so many songs that the instructor had to tell Will to go dance with the other girls in line!

After class I didn’t think much of Will, but apparently he thought of me. During our conversation, we realized we had a few mutual friends through church. After class Will called one of them to get the scoop on me! Not only that but the following day he visited one of my friends at work to ask about me.

Class rolled around that following Thursday and once again we had a nice time chatting and dancing (which-for the record- has been the ONLY time my husband has danced with me. I should totally make him feel guilty for that, shouldn’t I?). Afterwards he asked me to go to the Baptist Student Union with him for their Bible Study. I honestly had no desire to go. I had gotten into a wreck that afternoon, had homework, and had no interest in staying out late.

It was the last thing I wanted to do.

4 hours later I got home all giddy with a big crush.

I have no self control.

We spent that evening at the BSU followed by a trip to Sonic where I ordered water.

Water.

WATER! Who the hell orders water at Sonic? At least force a soda down! What a weirdo. He must have liked me. Water. That should have been his first warning sign.

That night was followed by many more cold fall nights talking at “our spot” on campus. Freezing our butts off but huddled together holding hands and sharing our lives with one another. Every time fall rolls around I smile because I’m filled with so many good memories of freezing, Will giving me his coat, and talking for hours on end out in the cold with the leaves crunching under our feet. I always think of coming to a part of campus that was really steep and having to literally jump into his arms, knowing that I wanted him to be the one to catch me for forever.

Being home this year has seeme to bring that young girl out in my again. It reminds me of those feelings of infatuation and freshness. It reminds me of how fast we began to love each other, and it reminds me of all the good memories we have during the fall, and at our little spot. In fact, that’s where Will proposed to me! This fall has reminded me of sitting in Will’s truck before class, not wanting to leave his side. Going to the Nutcracker the weekend it opened- and Will missing an OU game to go with me

(gasp! Yes- mark it down! When Will was courting me he actually missed a couple OU games to take me on special dates. I think he did it so I wouldn’t know how fanatical he was. It worked. He sucked me in. He totally had me fooled.)

I truly love the fall for so many reasons. Just typing about it makes my heart feel so full and eager to enjoy another day. I can’t believe I allowed myself to miss so many of these beautiful days.

I hope you guys enjoy today as well- and while I’m sure my puke-y gag me love story made you bored and annoyed, I ultimately hope it reminds me of your first few months with your loved one! In fact- since I made you throw up all over your brand new fall boots, it’s only fair that you make me do the same! If you feel like it, share you story too.

So there you have it. I heart fall.

Now-

I must close with a few administrative matters.

Firstly, girls- aren’t you so glad we’re friends? I am. I am all the time. Thank you so much for responding to my post for P this past weekend. I’m pretty sure it meant just as much to me as it did her! You girls are great- and I enjoyed your stories. Jacqueline and Lyna, I love you guys- and miss you! Thank you for your kind words. Lyna I’ll have to look for pictures of the kids in their costumes. I bet they’re cute.

Just so you know, P is already adjusted and has made lots and lots of friends. Foreign ones. Did I mention she’s the only American that goes there? Crazy right? Unique I suppose. Why can’t I be that cool!? Sigh…

Also- my old nestie friend Ann gave me a blog award! It made my weekend so great. Who doesn’t like their friends doing nice things for them right? I must say that I’m a big fan of Ann’s blog and you should definitely check her out if you don’t read. She’s got the best stories ever- Ann- you seriously have a story for so many pertinent parts of life. She’s a sailor’s wife and I have lots of respect for her and her family! Now go and read!