This is a very mushy post about two love birds falling in love. Today marks my 2nd Wedding Anniversary to my wonderful husband Brian. I find that yes, two years married is amazing to say and we are loving life. What many people don’t know about us is that we have known each other since we were 14 and this year marks 12 years of simply knowing each other. So the best way for me to celebrate life with this man was to write this blog post about our history and how two “rock’n'roll” crushes turned into a successful marriage of loyalty and inspiration.
-*Back Story*-
My husband Brian and I met when we were in high school. I crushed on him instantly and to simply be around him I dabbed into things different from what I was use to, for example joining a Robotics Team (he happened to be the Captain and I was selected along with our friend Dave to Drive our Robot) and funny enough begin listening to heavy metal.
-*Friends to Boy Friend*-
We both attended Harford Technical High School in Churchville, MD and I dabbed into Computer Drafting and Design and Brian attended Computer Science classes. We were good students and received honors even though we sported the rebellious black hair (sometimes mine was pink or purple) and the more “gothic” clothing choice. I couldn’t find a good photo of him anywhere, but Brian had long dark hair and I use to make fun of him for not owning a pair of jeans and he ALWAYS wore a hat. I remember I just loved being around him and he has always been a person to motivate you to challenge yourself. I cherish that greatly to this day.
-*Finding Him Again*-
We separated before graduation and lost contact during 2 years of college. We both had a mutual friend named Khadir who to this day is one of our best friends. He pretty much begged each of us to come to a pool party for his 21st Birthday and there was where were reintroduced. The worse part of it all was that when I arrived I said hi to everyone and kept starring casually at this guy sitting in a chair. I knew his face but didn’t recognize him. Khadir didn’t think to introduce us as we were suppose to know each other! Khadir picked up on the dilemma and said “Tasha, you remember Brian from school?” and I pretty much half fainted. It was hard to imagine my long haired, rock and roll, little nerdy, steal the spot light ex was this clean trimmed handsome grown up man. He literally stole my words. Which, I know…sooo cheesy but it is the truth. We all hung out all night and caught up and after then he left with out giving me his phone number or asking for mine. I was up all night wondering how I could convince Khadir to give it to me with out sounding desperate.
(our friend Khadir)
-*I am Crushing, almost Falling in Love*-
Most of this part of our story may be fresh to Brian’s ears as well as I haven’t told many people. A few days later, I discovered this “cool” new website called Facebook. I had never been on the Myspace bandwagon so didn’t understand what it was and instantly found Brian on there where we decided on going on a date to Panera Bread. To say the least, that date lasted 10 hours I forgot to go to a film shoot and drove home buzzing with love again. Of course I didn’t say this to Brian because I knew I was leaving in 4 months time to go to Toronto Canada for more schooling and didn’t want to start anything. Those 4 months were bliss and we learned so much about each other and when the day came for me to get in the car and drive away, I did, with a promise from him that he will be here when I got back and to go do my thing.
-*I Can’t Believe I Just Left Him Again!*-
Off to Toronto Canada I go. As soon as I waved my father good bye and realized I was actually doing this thing I panicked. What was I doing in this country! I was pretty much alone up here exploring myself, following my dreams and Brian, even though far away, was always there for me.
“I just want you to know how strong and brave you are…Weak people don’t feel weak, because weak people only do safe things and don’t take risks or opportunities due to the fact that they are afraid. Strong people feel weak because they are brave enough to put themselves in positions outside of their comfort zone, due to the fact that they want to improve as a person and follow their dreams. Don’t think you’re a weak person, even though you are feeling a bit helpless. You are brave and ambitious, you go out and get what you want, you succeed. Even though you have to take the “hard path,” you’ve already blown everyone out of the water by relocating to Canada to go to the school you want. Everything else from here is icing. Keep your head up baby, its going to be hard, but you’re doing the right thing, and you always have my support.”–from Brian the day I arrived
While in Toronto I learned all about Makeup at the School of Professional Makeup. Of course we spent most of our time on beauty but I had a lot of fun doing the “out of the box” stuff like the photos above. I competed in a Makeup Forever competion and airbrushed my “Burning Earth” design on my sisters face (who thankfully came up with my mother!) where the earth was the tip of a match on fire, to represent my thoughts on Global Warming at the time. I actually took Third Place which was really fun! but I missed Brian and my family terribly. I remember having a conversation with my sister Breanna about how to tell someone you love them with out ruining it. Of course we had no idea and surprisingly after a few months of telling him my true feelings of love, he finally said it back. That was pretty much the Best….day…..ever!!
“I love how I’m always on your mind baby, even with you being so busy. It was like when you called my phone the other day… after I hung up I was like “wow, she took the 5 seconds of free time she had to see if she could help find my phone,” lol. you’re exactly what I want . Don’t go changin’, ok? .” –Love Note from Brian
-*You Have Me Now Keep Me Forever*-
Brian came up to visit me on my Birthday weekend and finally after a long 7 months I came back home. Brian welcomed me to live with him in his apartment and we began planning our future. He told me one thing that at first made me mad but now I understand it more then ever. I said one evening, “Brian, what is your thought on marriage?”. He responded with “I think you have to treat marriage more like a business then basing it completely off of love. It’s an investment from both people and you have to work together to make it ‘profitable’ and successful.” From that point forward we were a team and in 2009 I said “Brian I found my ring, I want to marry you!” He responded with “wow, ok, I didn’t realize that was so important to you right now, ok, lets go buy it!”
It was August 2009 and we had been looking at houses and luckily found our little home in Abingdon for a great price. Sadly with the down payment and other expenses on the house we were not able to afford both a ring and a home. There were many tears from my end and Brian told me that a ring didn’t show anyone the amount of love he had for me and that we will get it just not this moment.
-*The Engagement*-
That October 2009 we bought the engagement ring. I went to pick it up from Nordstrom then went to the airport to pick him up as he had been gone for about a month on a business trip. While we were driving home I told him I had picked up the ring, didn’t look at it, and it was in the trunk. We laughed the entire time about it being there! When we got home we snatched it and hid it and said he will “deal” with that at a good time. That night he proposed to me in his underwear saying “Do you love me?” and pointing to his half naked self in the doorway. I was cracking up on the bed toothbrush in hand and said “yes! all of you!” and he put the ring on my finger. It was not the most glamorous proposal but hey, I cherish it. lol
-*Run Away with Me*-
We had set a wedding day for June 5th, 2010 but on April 12th, (Monday) at 3pm we ran away and got married in the court house by ourselves in Bel Air MD. We were cracking up and in total happiness and that evening went to BoneFish Grill for dinner where the owner just so happened to be in visiting and found out what we did by our server. He came over and said congratulations and took care of the entire tab, gave us each a dessert to go and a bottle of wine for dinner. We now celebrate there almost every year. (they made their money back that’s for sure!) In the most casual way possible we changed our status on Facebook to married and all hell broke loose. We explained we had ran away to enjoy our ceremony together and now instead of a wedding for June 5th we are going to have a big BBQ.
-*Wedding Day Party 6/5/12*-
We decided on Deer Creek Overlook in Rock State Park to host our wedding day. It was a perfect day and we had encouraged our family and friends to dress casual and comfortable. My dad is a huge Ravens fan and sported a Ravens tie that day. We had fried chicken, salads, and our cake was a three tiered cheesecake! We had so much fun being with our guests and even though we had already wed we did say our vows in front of everyone. Brian spoke from the heart and even though I can’t remember every word, the amount of love he showed me was enough. I wrote mine out and have mine below.
Brian, I love you without knowing how or when or from where; I love you straight forwardly with out complexities or pride; I love you for your continuing friendship, loyalty, and encouragement; I Natasha, Love you
Through out our marriage we have had huge changes in careers, money, debt, hobbies, and even friends. What I have learned the most is that you have to be able to take care of yourself first then give back to others. Brian and I are a team and with out him I wouldn’t be where I am today and vice versa. You have to give support and encouragement when needed and sometimes being honest about something is better then hiding it inside. We have learned the importance of just talking it out. All emotion aside and just discuss whats on our mind. We have had our disagreements but never an all out fight. This is what gives each of us an opportunity to grow and learn from each other. Sometimes all you need in life is a little opportunity to make a big impact on you. Here is to 2 years of being your wife and 12 years of friendship. I love you! Can’t wait to see what we get our selves into down the road.
