Letters, Lightsabers, and Love: Chapter 21

Levi and I married each other in June of 2012 after only six months of head-over-heels, foolish-about-each-other love. Our story, like every love story, has its own unique and sweet moments and timings. We continue to marvel at the way God orchestrated our lives to bring us together, and though it included pain and trials for both of us before we met, we wouldn't change anything about it.

Everything that happened, and every way that we grew led us to this moment.

Levi has arrived at my house. We've see each other's face. We've exchanged our very first hug, and now he's followed me into my house. It's time to get to know each other.

Chapter 21: Meet and Greet

"Come on in," I said at my front door, turning around and smiling shyly at the man standing behind me. I walked in, and he followed me. I reached around him and shut the door, and then we were standing there, barely a foot from each other. 

I couldn't stop thinking about how surreal it felt to finally be in his presence. I was so comfortable with his voice that it had never occurred to me that it might be totally different in person. And it was. It really was. My cheeks were incredibly warm, and suddenly my feet were the most fascinating things in the room. I kept my hands clasped together behind my back because I couldn't trust them to do anything else. And I definitely wasn't going to say anything because it was all just too silly-sounding in my head, and I didn't trust my lips to make it any better. 

Despite all of that, I wanted to look at him more than anything. I wanted to see if his smile was as sweet in person as it was in pictures. I wanted to finally see if those eyebrows were as cool as I suspected. I wanted to see what kind of brown his eyes were. 

The only problem was that every time I would look up I would meet the same expression on his face. It was a sort of dumbfounded awe. I'm not even kidding. I mean, his jaw wasn't on the ground, and his eyes weren't bugging out of his head, but he was clearly in awe and very pleased about it. And every time I'd glance up and see that look on his face a rush of warmth would sweep over my face and that spot on the carpet was the only thing I could keep my eyes on.

After about two full minutes of this, I realized that I should actually say something since he was the guest in my home.

"So," I said, doing my best not to stammer, "do you want a house tour?"

"Sure," he replied, the look on his face unwavering.

I took him from room to room in my home, pointing out small things, like favorite mementos, the bookshelf of movies we had so much fun talking about, the grey fluffball cat slinking into the basement, etc. You know, one of the things I remember the most is that when we reached the back of my house and I showed him my bedroom, he politely nodded and stayed away from the door. I just loved that.

It helped break the awkwardness a bit, walking around the house and talking to him with my back toward him. Somehow seeing him in front of me made it impossible to make any sounds even resembling words.

After walking around the house, we sat down on the living room floor in my favorite spot--legs stretched out across the floor, backs against the couch. Still looking for something to talk about and bridge the gap into in-person talking, I pulled my computer onto my lap. And then I did one of the lamest things ever. I asked him if he wanted to see my new favorite video on Youtube.

It was such a strange feeling, but I don't blame you if you still won't excuse the lameness of that act. But really, he was already my best friend. We'd already talked through all the serious and meaningful stuff. It was like hanging out with your best friend on a normal day after you've already hung out and talked a ton every day that week. The only difference here was that we'd never actually done that in person yet.

So, lame of the lame, we sat together and watched a silly video on Youtube. Feel free to check it out yourself. It's pretty sweet, and it makes me giggle. And even though it was lame, it helped lighten up the rest of the awkwardness, and we were finally able to look at each other and talk after laughing together at the silly people shaking their behinds.

We talked about his drive and how he just couldn't wait any longer to come down and see me. We talked about Thursday since we hadn't had time to catch up on that bit yet. Then we settled into a relaxed silence, finally able to study each other's face. And, by the way, his smile was sweeter than I had imagined, his eyebrows were thick and amazing, and his brown eyes were a warm and deep brown, but not quite black.

After gazing at me for a few seconds he took a deep breath.

"Would it be all right with you if I put my arm around your shoulders?"

I almost giggled it was so sweet. "I would like that very much," I replied softly.

He settled his left arm over my shoulders, and we both sort of smiled to ourselves. This was totally, awesomely cute.

"So, I had something I wanted to ask you while I'm here," he began.

"Go ahead," I said, butterflies making a reappearance in my stomach.

"Well, I was wondering if, maybe, you'd let me, I mean, if you'd allow me to, um, pursue you," he said, slowly getting the words out.

I felt myself blush. "That would be very acceptable," I said, smiling.

He grinned at me, and his arm gripped my shoulder a little more tightly.

"So," I said. I knew what he had meant, but I wanted to hear the words come out of his mouth. I wanted to know that this was actually happening. "What would you call me if you introduced me to people?"

He smiled again, knowing what I wanted to hear him say.

"My girlfriend."

-

That's the first half hour of our first day together. And let me be the first to tell you that it is not at all the most exciting thing that happens on that first day.


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