And I Love You

It took Mike nearly five months to muster up the courage to tell me he loved me. I had come to the conclusion myself around month two, so those extra three months were quite the test to my relatively non-existent patience. But I waited, assuming if he did, he'd eventually tell me. And if he didn't, he'd eventually have to tell me that, too.

We took a trip to Connecticut over Memorial Weekend (2004) to visit Crystal, who was living there at the time. While there we decided to spend the day (from the crack of dawn to well past midnight) in New York City. I had already been, once before, when I was a junior in high school. I was there—that first time—to dance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and in addition to grueling, hours-long practices, we took in every sight we possibly could: Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, a Rockette's performance, shopping on 5th Avenue, a Broadway play. It was an incredible week, practically void of chaperons, and it was the first taste of real traveling I ever had. (Well, other than a few childhood trips to Disneyland and one winter roadtrip from San Francisco to Tulsa, where I saw my first snow in—oddly enough—Arizona.)

The second time in NYC, when we went with Crystal, I was okay skipping some of the touristy things I had seen/done before. We did visit Ground Zero and took a trip around New York Harbor, but when we arrived at the Empire State Building, I was okay passing on the three-hour long line snaked around the block. Mike, on the other hand, was insistent about going up. Now, at the time I chalked this up to him being a tourist and really wanting to see the view but now that I know Mike arguably better than I know most anyone and I know his total uneasiness with people in general and crowds in particular and I know that lines makes him physically violent, I realize his desire to wait it out should have been a sign. But, again, our relationship was fairly new. I didn't question him, and instead we waited. For hours.

Once we neared the top, I kept reminding our group of four to stick together. "It's going to be a MAD HOUSE UP THERE," I warned. "We need to enjoy the view as a group. WE CANNOT GET SEPARATED." Everyone nodded rather exhaustedly and half-heartedly for two reasons: 1) the three-hour-long line was at the end of an already long day and 2) Crystal was privy to what Mike was up to and knew that the quicker she scurried away to give us some privacy, the quicker we could put the last nearing-almost-four hours behind us. So as soon as we stepped onto the viewing decks, Crystal and her then-husband scattered. I kept yelling to them, "TOO FAR! TOO FAR!" (In the re-telling of this story, I realize how uptight I'm coming across, so maybe it's time to tell you that, hi, I'm uptight.) Mike convinced me we wouldn't lose them forever and we should just enjoy the view and I think I answered with something along the lines of, "Noooooooo." But he pulled me over to a small little hole in the wall of tourists and distracted me with bright lights below. We stood there for about 10 minutes, and in hindsight I realize Mike was gathering his nerve but I kept thinking, Geez, he's really into this view.

As I busied myself with trying to find the MTV studios, I heard him faintly whisper "I love you" into my ear. And because I was so focused on Is that it? No, that's McDonald's. Is THAT it? No, that's a billboard with a naked man on it I was afraid I had imagined he said it. And so I stood there for a solid minute struggling with whether or not to respond, because if I had imagined it, well, AWKWARD. I did finally say it back and Mike did immediately comment on how long it took me but regardless, it was a really cool, long-awaited moment. And one of my most favorite.

I bought him a little miniature statue of the Empire State Building to remember that day and I bought myself (and Crystal) a New York piggy bank to remember, also.

Mike and I are currently broke. Oh my, our budget wasn't designed for reckless disregard and, well, apparently that was news to me this month. (Fun aside: We went broke after some presents were purchased and before others, so cross your fingers you're in the first group. Or, to be honest, any group at all.) The other night Mike asked me if I'd go to the store and buy him some ice cream and I told him he could have ice cream next week, when everything fun in life could resume. Like paying the electricity bill. And filling the car up with gas. He told me he might have a few quarters stashed somewhere and that's when I remembered the piggy bank. I drop coins in it now and again and I never take anything out because we usually have a bank account to cover our expenses. I ran to retrieve it and poured the money onto our bed. I didn't feel much like counting (nor do I ever) but I knew I had enough to at least buy a few Diet Dr. Peppers this week and that cheered me right the hell up.

As I sat there, it was fun to remember where I got the piggy bank. And the story I just shared with you.

It's not as much fun to remember that back when I was 22 I had more money to my name than I currently have, but, hell, the man still loves me. So at least the important things haven't changed.

(I wish I could offer up another picture from that trip to prove I look as rough as I do because of the top-of-the-building winds and not because I didn't own a mirror in 2004 but upon on review of the rest of the folder, apparently I didn't own a mirror in 2004. Huh.) 

(Also, notice those earrings [kind of sparkly little things]. Mike bought those for me when we first started dating. They weren't real and he never claimed them to be. One day he asked me why I no longer wore them, and I had to tell him, "They turned my ears a lovely shade of rot." "Yeah, maybe throw those away." "Done. Like six months ago.")

Comments

[anne]

again, a totally adorable story. even if it means breaking into a piggy bank. i actually have a collection of piggy banks and all of them are empty. they do my no good and i my credit card has racked some miles this week. sigh.

[Kitty]

Awww! What a cute story. The two of you were absolutely adorable.

And broke is a state of mind, honey. Who cares about paying bills and buying food and all that jazz when you have the man you love beside you. ;)

[Jess]

Aww, this is such a sweeter story than my Empire State Building story! That was when we were up there at one a.m. after we'd been together two months, and Torsten was ready to say I love you but I was SO NOT, and I figured out right quick that he was going to try to say it to me while we were up there, so I pitched a fit and made us leave before he got a chance to say it. Not my finest moment. I'm glad yours went better.

[Someone Being Me]

That is sweet. My I love you story is no where near as romantic but I also didn't have to wait nearly as long. But we were engaged before I knew him 5 months so thats that. I am on your page with the whole being broke thing. We had a nice arguement over our credit card bills two nights ago. I spent yesterday moving my hair appointment to January, canceling lunch at La Bodegas with friends yesterday, and making a menu for the rest of the week based on what might still be good in the fridge. I went to a meet and greet on campus today for free food. BUT all of my Christmas presents are purchased, notice I did not say PAID FOR. Wait until you have a baby. We spend over a 100.00 a month on formula, over 600.00 on daycare, 40.00 on diapers, etc, etc.

[Rebecca]

Yet another awesome post!! You have quickly become on of my "fave blogs"! Wait until you are busting in to your 1 year old son's piggy bank to get some change to go to McDonalds! GUILTY!!! & I am not ashamed to admit my hot fudge sundae was delicious!

[-R-]

What a sweet story! I was the first one to say I love you, and I said it to H randomly one night while we were watching SNL. He was like, WTF? But he did say it back. =)

[Angella]

What a fabulous post!

I love the story, and the way you told it!

Also - you two are both adorable :)

[Type (little) a]

Great Story. And I've done the change thing before, too.

[slynnro]

Aaron told me that he loved me for the first time at Whataburger, while waiting for some taquitos. I felt honored- he really loves Whataburger. I told this story at our rehearsal dinner. He was so pleased.

[Raven]

That story was so sweet it made me smile in spite of my crankitude. I have some SERIOUS tude going right now. You should be really amazed and proud.

[Leah]

That's a completely awesome story, and even better that you were able to go back to that piggy bank, and that time in your life, when you needed to. One day (soon?) you'll look back on this time and remember fondly, from your yacht, those bygone days when you had to raid the piggy bank for ice cream. :)

[Natalie]

I love this story!! And that picture is very cute, you are too hard on yourself! He's such a romantic.
I'm sorry about your piggy bank break in, it sucks to be this way around the holidays. I hope your visit to the mechanic goes better than mine. They estimated that it would cost around $800 to fix the bumper. I'm going to go somewhere else for a second opinion!

[Janssen]

What a great great story!! (How cute that he'd wait in a four hour long line (I would kill myself) to do so).

Seriously, Jenny, your blog is one of my all-time favorites already. And I read a lot of bllogs.

[Closetmom]

you are a great story teller, and this is a great one. i think it's so cute that he tipped off your friend that he was going to say the big three words.

[Kelly]

Such a cute story! I love hearing everyone else's stories.
I had a think, and I can't remember when Matt and I first officially exchanged "I love you's"... But I did get a text message from him 4 days after we started dating (which I still have nearly 2 years later) saying "I think I'm falling in love with you... I hope that doesn't scare you."
Aww!

[Katie]

That is such a sweet story. The fact that he made into a big production of sorts shows just how much he loves you and just how much he wanted to show you that. Adorable!

[EmilyPie]

Aw. That is so sweet. One of my favorites so far.... well it is tied with the Crystal story!

I too realized I love mine around month two! I think I even broke down one night and screamed/cried "You don't LOVE me!" ... Psychooooo... Yeah. I can't believe he stayed with me either.

[Kristie]

So so sweet. I think you look beautiful in that picture. All glowing and in love. :)

[LarryLilly]

I was born in NYC, and so the Empire State Building was no biggie, nor the WTC, but that now is. Living in Mistake (mesquite), where my wagon train broke down a few years ago, well, thats a long story.

I meet my current wife of these past 9 plus years on the internet in a chat room, so our stories are somewhat more non-traditional. But we still smile as we remember them.

And remember, age is a number, youth is a state of mind.

[Michelle]

Hello, uptight. I'm anxious&tense. Nice to meet you! Boys are so funny about the I love you. It took Dave five monthes and seven days from our first date (not that I know the exact dates of either). And he had to do it in a special setting at a special moment too. I'm totally going to write about it now. Thanks for the inspiration!

[CrankMama]

I love this story. I know I keep saying that in comments, but your stories are such delicious glimpses into your life that I can't help loving them. They always give me a smile. In reading this post I realized how little I write about these same moments with my Honey.... I'll have to start sharing.

[missburrows]

I moved from the East Coast right before 9/11 and haven't had the heart to return to NY. Thanks for bringing back some lovely winter memories.

[Lisa]

Man, I can relate to the counting change thing. We're broke right now, but it's all going to change tomorrow so three cheers to that. So many bills, too little money. Sigh. That picture of you guys is lovely. You look so happy.

[Mom]

I love that story, and I think the picture of you two is such a cute one. Mike is really a romantic in his heart.

[Unnaturally Blonde]

I love your stories, your kids are going to be so lucky to have all these memories of their parents to look back on. Nothing wrong with a fake pair of diamonds, I used to have a HUGE pair from Target...hehe I would pass them off as real if you asked me! Ha!

[Dianna]

Oh my gosh! I love the "TOO FAR, TOO FAR"! I'm sitting here cracking up and had to read it to a friend so she'd get a laught too. Great story!