Preparations

This past weekend was mostly spent packing and preparing for our upcoming move. I don't know if it's really hit me yet that as of March we will no longer live in this home, although I can say that this is probably the most excited I've been about packing up everything we own to move. I said this on instagram... but really, you would think our stuff would have learned how to pack itself by now. I've gotten really good a figuring out how to box up our stuff just right; what is necessary to bring and what can be tossed or given away. We were thinking about it, and we both moved every year of college, so at least 2006, 2007, 2008... we moved to Philadelphia in 2009, Nashville in 2010. but get this! We lived in this house all of 2011! I would call that a success for us haha we seem to be serial movers.

Here's hoping that they will have the house ready for us to move in this weekend, and that this can be the least stressful move of the past 6 years!

Be Mine

Last year my awesome Valentine surprised me by shaving his long scraggly beard... apparently he didn't want to go for a re-gift this year, but I am quite pleased with the great day that we had. Unfortunately Keith was feeling a little sick (wonder where he caught it? :) but thankfully he rallied just for me, and made me feel super special all day long.

I started the morning with a text that included details and a coupon for a manicure and pedicure I can schedule at my leisure, and a note from Keith which said "treat yo self!". This then prompted me to rewatch one of my favorite episodes of Parks and Recreation, which made me laugh just as much as I anticipated haha. After a quick run and a shower I realized that I had left my huge cart of art supplies in Keith's car and wouldn't be prepared for my afternoon lessons, so I called him up and scheduled an impromptu lunch rendezvous. Since we had plans to go out for dinner, I just made myself a sandwich and we had a little picnic in the car. I kind of like when being forgetful means that I get to have some extra time to hang out with my husband :)

Keith ended up feeling bad enough to leave work early, so he came home and slept whole I went to teach my afternoon art classes, and when I got home he was feeling energized enough to go out. We had a glass of wine while we got ready and then headed to dinner at a favorite little hole in the wall place, Savarinos. We love how no-frills everything is there, and the food is definitely worth talking about. I still haven't brought myself to try something new because I love the broccoli garlic penne so darn much! I think the best part is their selection of tasty little italian desserts... it always makes me think of my favorite gelato shop back home, Sonny's. After dinner we skipped the movie because Keith was starting to fade, and opted to go home and go to bed early instead.

Overall, it felt like a perfect little Valentines Day. Nothing crazy, but a nice occasion to get fancy and enjoy an evening for ourselves.

and if you're nostalgic like I am... here is a look at what we did for Valentines day in 2010 and 2011. Now I want to go and dig up pictures from our 2009 v-day... I can't believe we've been celebrating together for 4 years!

My better half...

...Is the one that took the time and effort to start this blog and loves me enough to share it. I think the thing I am excited about the most is being able to see our days and thoughts put into words all in one place.

My hope is to post at least once a day . . . whether is it a specific topic, or just some notes on what happened during the day. It will be great to be able to look back over these posts as Dana and I live and grow in love and embrace times of change and adventure.

I think I will follow my beautiful fiancee's lead and start with a post recapping my 2009.

In 2009:

- I lived in three states (Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania. Almost four leaving Tennessee just before the first of January)

- I lived with a girl for the first time which I wouldn't trade a minute of. I have learned so much about myself as well as the love of my life and we have grown together in ways that I never knew could happen.

- I turned 23

- I visited Wrigley Field for the first time!

- I took my first full time job as an Asst. Manager at American Eagle

- I sold my scooter and currently drive a 2001 Chevy Blazer (currently with no heat and temperatures reaching 18 degrees some mornings)

- I drove from south Florida to Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

- I got engaged to a young, beautiful woman I could not live a day without. She makes me a better man and makes me strive to be a better man everyday.

Those are only a few highlights. It seems in writing this that living in three states in one year makes a year go by faster than you think.

2010 looks to be a promising year (with getting married and all)

I hope this year and this decade is filled with a lot of growing trust in the Lord and keeping all doors open to wherever the Lord chooses to lead us.

Getting up to speed...

Just a short recap of 2009’s milestones:

• Obviously, I moved to Philadelphia! Said goodbye to my closest friends and family and headed north to pursue something awesome.
• Got accepted to, and started graduate school at Temple University. Another Art History degree, here I come!
• I moved in with my best friend and greatest roommate of a lifetime, Keith.
• We adopted the coolest little cat in the WORLD, Theo… aka boogerhead (more on him later)
• WE GOT ENGAGED!! Here’s a look at the fancy ring that I get to wear for the rest of my life (no complaints from me)

2009 was one of the most memorable and amazing years of my life. That’s not to say that it didn’t have its share of breakdowns and low points, but in the end, I got to share this entire year madly in love with the coolest dude around (and now I have another littler dude looking out for me, who loves to cuddle just as much, and probably has an equally fuzzy face as Keith haha. Thanks for being a winner of a cat, Theo). I got to share lots of great times with my best friends, lived with a few of them and ate way too much Moe’s :)

Now on to 2010, that is bound to be another amazing year full of more awesome adventures. Here are some things that I’m looking forward to this year:

• Continuing my masters, one semester down, three to go. I have a lot of work to do, and I’m hoping 2010 will motivate me to be the best student I can be.
• GETTING MARRIED! and getting a new last name. I love my family to pieces, but I can’t wait to start a family of my own (I promise, your family is going to be jealous of how awesome the Richards’ will be)
• Getting to wake up next to my favorite person every single day this year. 2009 was still a year of long distance dating, but now that we’re together, I can’t imagine living (or even BEING) miles away
• Continuing to explore our new city and all the exciting things it has to offer. Hopefully making so new Philadelphia friends in the process too haha

Cheers!