Funny the way it is...

I was on the phone w/Nate (the boyfriend) tonight on my way home from my class & we were kidding around about what we were gonna do to "celebrate" my new job the next time we see each other.  The ideas were getting progressively more ridiculous (dating a guy with a sense of humor > dating any other guy) & I was laughing and was just like

"Babe. Seriously."

And then he kinda snapped from totally insane to totally introspective in .2 seconds (impressive) & was just like "you know, the first time we met, I would have never dreamed you'd ever be calling me 'babe'."

Now, he says the most ridiculously sweet and charming things at the most random times (keeps me on my toes and has increased my ability to say "Awww" and then blush tenfold) and this, of course, was one of them.

He continued "I can't believe watching you stretch & saying "Are you a gymnast?" ended up with us being a couple."

[the first time we met, i was doing a standing quad stretch...at a party. in skinny jeans...and he came up to me & asked that question b/c "i really thought you were a gymnast!"...really, I'm just a somewhat socially awkward person who thinks its normal and acceptable to stretch like that at a party.]

I was just like "Life is funny like that.  That was honestly the best opening line I've ever heard...and I've heard some doozies."

Our sweet moment didn't last much longer b/c we got back to being silly (& planning a fantasy trip to California or Hawaii or somewhere warm together) but it did make me think.

Neither one of us were really supposed to be at that party...we both only knew 2 other people there (not the same people, either) & when he first introduced himself to Monica & me,  I thought "wow, he's really cute...he probably has a girlfriend." (also, The Trainer & I had only broken up like, 2 weeks before that, so I wasn't in the market for a new boy).

He later told me he had internally debated on coming up to talk to me for like 5 minutes before he actually did.  He said he thought I'd have a boyfriend & didn't want to be "that guy" but figured to give it a shot  anyway. I clearly responded positively and we had almost endless conversation for the next 2 hours with little to no awkward pauses.

I guess things happen when you least expect them, with people you least expect, when you aren't even feeling particularly pretty and are wearing something that is only semi-cute. :)

Nate & I couldn't really ignore our attraction to each other and even now, it's hard to think about giving up on our relationship just b/c we're long distance from the get go b/c of how insanely random our meeting was. Maybe this is it. Maybe it will end up being just another "So my ex..." story (and I have so many good ones already!!!) but regardless, it just is funny how things worked out and funny now it blindsided both of us.

Next Chapter, please.

So, I'm pretty excited.
The next REAL chapter...not this filler nonsense...of my life is about to start.
I'm finally on the path to becoming a "real" grown up.

New job.
New boyfriend.
New attitude.
New apartment (ideally...).
New lifestyle of living on my own.
New puppy (hopefully!).
(ok, so the last three are probably a few months off still, seeing as my lease here doesn't end until May 31st, but still.  Living alone is a real possibility now!)

I just got a job offer at a place called Trinity Counseling Resources.  I'm going to start out as part time, but I think there is a very real possibility it will turn to full time fairly quickly.  I may not be making a TON of money (but it's more than most starting salaries in this field!) but that's okay. I'll FINALLY be doing something I LOVE. All the blood, sweat, tears, years and money that went into obtain this stupid degree will finally be paying off!

And of course, the new boyfriend...the amazing new boyfriend of mine.  So far, so good, so perfect. I am loving getting to know him and developing our somewhat hilarious relationship (we're both totally weird; it works out scary well).

I can't get over how everything seemed to happen at once.  There has been radio silence in my life for the past few months...maybe a blip here and there, but for the most part, nothing...and then BAM. ALL at once: Boyfriend, job, new apartment on the horizon...all happening during one of the busiest months I've had in a LONG time. How does that always seem to happen?

Regardless, I am so happy about this new job & so excited to see what's next.  I feel like my life has finally been unpaused! :)