CHAPTER 2 - IN MARCH WE MADE IT OFFICIAL

I had always loved blonde-haired, blue-eyed boys...but he was different. He was kind, patient, honest, funny, and he liked me for me. I was happy.

Thomas and my friend Elyssa would often chat...so when we all gathered at her house for a movie night on March 25, 2003 I had an idea of what was coming. I sat down with Thomas on my left side on the big sofa right across from the tv. It was girls choice, so "Sweet Home Alabama" began, but my focus was more on my hand than the movie. I had to make it available, but not too available. It started on my lap. I looked over and noticed his was too. I'm not sure who dropped their hand to the couch first, but we sat there with our pinky fingers about one inch away from the other for foooooorever (at least ten minutes). My heart was racing. I wanted him to take it so badly that I wasn't even paying attention to the movie. All of the sudden he took this huge sigh and he grabbed my hand! It had finally happened and my heart was as loud and as fast as a train! Because my heart was going crazy, so were my sweat glands. It had taken us so long to get to that point and after the lacing of fingers, I didn't know what to do next. I didn't want to make it seem not wanted, so I didn't move for the next hour. At the end of the movie our hands were drenched. I looked at him and then our hands and started giggling. It really was both pathetic and hilarious.

That night as we talked on the phone we decided that it was time to make it official: we were going out! I'm pretty sure I smiled in my sleep that night!

The next morning I woke up with another smile and giddy heart as I reflected on the night before. But, then I realized something that started to break my heart. That morning marked the first day of Spring Break. Usually that would be awesome, but my family had planned to spend the break in Utah. I wouldn't see or probably talk to Thomas for an entire week!

As I was packing that morning, he called and asked me if I wanted to go hang out with Matt and Elyssa before I left with my family. I was given permission only if I were completely packed for the trip. I broke a packing record and was soon being picked up by Thomas to go to the Kunz's house. They had already started a movie in his basement, so we joined them hand-in-hand. ;)

Before I knew it, there was a knock on the door and my mom's voice was saying that it was time to go. We walked up the stairs and hugged a quick goodbye. It was the first time I could ever remember that I didn't want to go to Utah. I remember sitting in the back corner of our mini-van with a sad heart and tears in my eyes. At one point my sister noticed and asked if I was crying. I just ignored her and stared out the window. I found myself imagining Thomas there with me that week. I promised myself that I would one day take him to my grandparent's house, to Coalville, to my uncle's farm, and to all my favorite spots of where I used to live.

>> to be continued...

just a few more weeks until April!