{milestones}

The other night Chris & I were discussing milestones, in friendships and relationships and the different ways the present themselves. Milestones with friends are often large celebrated events, days you look forward to reaching like 16th birthdays, 21st drink-a-thons, graduations, weddings...you get the idea.

I got to thinking, do relationship milestones encompass these events, and more? Or do those traditional bumps in the road get swapped for less recognized, more intimate events, like leaving for the first day of a new job, trips with just the two of you, anniversaries, promotions and small victories. 

 {1. me at 19 - summertime in Pullman before recruitment week my Jr. year at WSU}

{& 2. me at 20 - a trip to Las Vegas when I was still under 21 and STILL a blast}

Chris and I recently celebrated our 3 year anniversary, and it got me thinking a lot about the moments I remember most, that I hold closest to my heart. It caused me to flip through my old photos, where I stumbled on a couple of gems I thought I'd share from back then & now.

And when it comes to milestones, I guess I fall somewhere in between.  Surviving almost 2 1/2 years of a long-distance relationship, there are things the other person is bound to miss, and you get used to that. It's probably better that he missed my 21st birthday...(and the 2-day hangover that followed), but a small part of me wishes he could have made it for my graduation.

But there are so many things that surpass those days, in my own order of importance. Like standing at Versailles, staring at the gleaming golden gate that surrounds the château, or watching the twinkle of the Eiffel Tower when the clock strikes 11 p.m. Like celebrating my offer letter to work full time at the agency, the two adventure of a day roadtrip to bring my car to AZ from Seattle, or eating pizza in our sweats on Valentine's day.

Being there for my friends to support them during the milestones that occur in their lives is extremely important to me, because there aren't as many of those events they need me for. 

I also think it's more of a tribute to my love of love, that the smallest shared moments mean more, in a different way. And that is how I think love should always be. My thoughts on love exactly, put more beautifully than I could muster:

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. 

I love you simply, without complexities or pride; 

I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, 

in which there is no I or you, 

so close that your hand upon my chest is my hand, 

so close that when I fall asleep your eyes close. 

-Pablo Neruda

Happy anniversary boyfriend!

I can't wait to share the photos from our fun evening! :)