The One

There have been a lot of changes in my life over the past four years. Of course almost all people experience change over time, but more has changed in my life than just my age. It seems like forever since I was a 20 year old college student with a part-time job. I was living on my own in a studio apartment, eating Top Ramen and cereal everyday. It was a time where I had few responsibilities outside of paying rent and going to school.

Few things have remained constant in my life. School is still beckoning, work still haunts me, and she still loves me.


I met Nikki at Fred Meyer in 2003. I wouldn't say it was love at first sight, because she was unavailable and I was still reeling from a one year sentence living with a girl who wanted no part of me. Occasionally, we would work together on little projects and I'd often see her getting ready to leave after working early or coming in on the third shift as I began to walk home. We'd talk every once in a while about how much we hated work. I'd say we were acquaintances at best.

We started working together more and more after she started in Housewares. She broke off her relationship after 5 standstill years. I eased up on being a dick at work and started to relax a little. I can still remember her working on a reset while I made her job more difficult by being a sarcastic ass. I had a feeling she was into me when she smacked my ass with a piece of Plexi. She took a vacation shortly after that, but was in the store almost daily with her sister. I figured she was looking for me because she would find me everyday and she'd say something like, "Get to work, slacker." She was always joking but I noticed that she couldn't stop smiling.

One day, she invited me over to her apartment becuase she was throwing a little get together. I agreed to come over on a Friday night after work and braved the MAX at 11:30PM to meet her. She greeted me and we walked arm in arm as I helped her stumble back to her place. Once there, I met Cari and Kate, who were preoccupied with the computer. I don't remember much after that until we kissed later that night. I ended up sleeping on the couch and releasing the weirdest moan in my sleep right before I woke up (something she and Kate will never let me live down).

Almost four years later and I'm going to marry the love of my life. I'd do anything for her and she knows it. I live to make her smile. I love the way we can be silly together and make other people nauseous at the same time. We keep each other sane and drive each other crazy. We miss each other constantly. I absolutely love her and I'm looking forward to spending all of eternity by her side.

I love you baby.