Hey all,
Sorry it has been so long, but it's been a busy couple weeks with the holidays and all that fun shit...which reminds me, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Black Friday!!
Today I decided to write about one of the most important aspects of a good relationship: communication. It is vital to a healthy love life. The reason this came to mind as something to talk about today, is because, it is something that has been bothering me.
I never really write about the more negative details of Nick and I's life, but there are some. To be honest, it's nothing worth complaining about because despite living together, being together 24/7, and most of all, despite our differences, we really don't have any problems. Nothing is perfect, but the relationship that we have is truly as close as it can get.
However, we have our arguments just like anyone else. It's part of life. We both get on each other's nerves sometimes, he acts like a dick, I cry like a baby. You know. I know you know. It's unavoidable. But, fortunately, I am able to say that we fight through every obstacle and fix every problem with a 100% success rate because of our amazing ability to communicate. We don't yell at each other. We simply open up and lay our problems on the table, where they belong. We're honest, and even if it's brutal, we're truthful. It's not always easy, but it's the best and most mature way to handle every situation.
Nick and I have been apart all week. It's easy to become frustrated with one another when we don't talk very often and we never have a chance to show our affection. I know that distance is something that I, personally, really struggle with. This time is no different. I miss him so much, I get lonely, my loneliness turns into anger, I take it out on him. It never fails.
The only thing that helps is communication. Though it's harder to have great communication when we are apart and we are both busy, we have to make it happen. We just have to talk it out. If you can't do that, there is not much that you can do.
Love, Bri
Friday, November 29, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Love Yourself First!
Seriously, girls, I mean it. I know, I know, you have heard this a thousand and one times, right? Well, so have I. But I don't think the meaning behind it stuck for a very long time. I want it to stick for you. So pay attention!
I can say, with all confidence, that I have a pretty decent body. It's not perfect, but neither is anyone's really. It took me my whole life to believe that, though. I go through phases. There have been times in my life where working out has literally taken over my life. Sometimes I love working out, but I don't want to feel forced to do it everyday because I feel inadequate. No matter how hard I've tried during those periods of my life, and how little I've tried at other times, I have been the same weight for years. Honestly probably five or six years. Same weight. No matter what I ate, or didn't eat. No matter how often I worked out or didn't.
And that drove me absolutely insane. The problem was, I couldn't see that I was the weight that I was supposed to be. My body was literally telling me that I was fine, but I wasn't listening. Recently, I finally found peace with my body. I don't always love it, but I don't hate it, either, and in today's society, that is saying something. There will always be times when I complain, and want to cry and scream, and worry about the little things that I simply can not change. We're girls, though. That's what we do. It's a damn curse. But overall, I'm happy.
Watching this video gave me every last bit of confidence that I was missing. This woman says it better than anyone.
Love yourself. Love yourself. Love. Your. Fucking. Self. Hopefully this woman gave you the little kick you needed to understand that you're seriously okay. You're fine. You are perfect and wonderful, and despite everything that you hate about your body, there is someone out there who is going to worship it. If you don't have any appreciation for yourself, it is going to make it damn hard for somebody else to have any.
As a girl with a boyfriend, it is my duty to tell all of you single girls that even once you have a man who loves every bit of you, loving your body is still crucial to your own peace of mind. Whenever I start to get down on myself about my body, I start thinking "I need to lose weight or Nick is going to find somebody with a better body." Okay, earth to Bri, that is so not going to happen. But those are the kind of thoughts that creep into my mind as soon as I start being negative with myself. So get comfortable, babe. Love your body, and it will in fact, love you back. <3
Love always, Bri
I can say, with all confidence, that I have a pretty decent body. It's not perfect, but neither is anyone's really. It took me my whole life to believe that, though. I go through phases. There have been times in my life where working out has literally taken over my life. Sometimes I love working out, but I don't want to feel forced to do it everyday because I feel inadequate. No matter how hard I've tried during those periods of my life, and how little I've tried at other times, I have been the same weight for years. Honestly probably five or six years. Same weight. No matter what I ate, or didn't eat. No matter how often I worked out or didn't.
And that drove me absolutely insane. The problem was, I couldn't see that I was the weight that I was supposed to be. My body was literally telling me that I was fine, but I wasn't listening. Recently, I finally found peace with my body. I don't always love it, but I don't hate it, either, and in today's society, that is saying something. There will always be times when I complain, and want to cry and scream, and worry about the little things that I simply can not change. We're girls, though. That's what we do. It's a damn curse. But overall, I'm happy.
Watching this video gave me every last bit of confidence that I was missing. This woman says it better than anyone.
Love yourself. Love yourself. Love. Your. Fucking. Self. Hopefully this woman gave you the little kick you needed to understand that you're seriously okay. You're fine. You are perfect and wonderful, and despite everything that you hate about your body, there is someone out there who is going to worship it. If you don't have any appreciation for yourself, it is going to make it damn hard for somebody else to have any.
As a girl with a boyfriend, it is my duty to tell all of you single girls that even once you have a man who loves every bit of you, loving your body is still crucial to your own peace of mind. Whenever I start to get down on myself about my body, I start thinking "I need to lose weight or Nick is going to find somebody with a better body." Okay, earth to Bri, that is so not going to happen. But those are the kind of thoughts that creep into my mind as soon as I start being negative with myself. So get comfortable, babe. Love your body, and it will in fact, love you back. <3
Love always, Bri
Friday, November 8, 2013
Love Is What We're Made Of
Since this is a blog about love, I suppose I can talk about other things that I love aside from the one man I am crazy in love with. Like for example, pizza. Or my dog. My family, the ocean, Game of Thrones, new places, dessert of any kind, snowboarding, movies, summer, thunderstorms...blah, blah, blah.
I was thinking the other day about my grandma, and how much I miss her. G-Unit. That's what we always called her. I loved her beyond words and I miss her every day, and as I was laying there, reminiscing, my thoughts turned to how crazy it is that there are so many kinds of love. Not only that, but the emotions that love brings.
First off, how wild is it that I can say "I fucking love these right now," as I enjoy some warm, gooey homemade cinnamon rolls. I can say "I loved my Grandma," as I look at old pictures and dwell on old memories. Or I can look into Nick's eyes and say "I love you," as my heart overflows with passion and giddiness. All three of those are so different. So totally different. The feelings I get from each of them are not even close to the same. But then, in a way, they also are. I use the verb "love" for all three, yet somehow their meanings are all unlike the others.
That brings me to my next point. How many different emotions can possibly fit inside that one, small, four- letter word? Apparently a lot. Love is an emotion. But to me, it seems it is a category of other emotions. Love can be anything and everything and maybe even nothing at all. It can be fear, sorrow, pain, heartbreak, tension, weakness, anger. It can be enthusiasm, strength, growth, enlightenment, spontaneity, warmth. It can be no more than physical attraction or butterflies in the tummy. It can be the death of us, or our saving grace.
Maybe everything is love. Maybe that's what this world is composed of. Because we all love something or someone. No, I'm sure every single one of you is not in love with someone right now. But you probably love your dad, or your sister, or your nephew. You might love your pet bird or your pet rock. You might love getting a letter in the mail or when a new episode of your favorite tv show airs. Maybe you love root beer. You could love smoking cigarettes, baking cupcakes, gardening. The moon, Fridays, watching fireworks, getting tattoos, exploring new places, digging for buried treasure, going to sleep at night.
For every one of you out there afraid that you'll never find love, don't be afraid anymore. You already found it. You've had love in your heart from the instant you came into this world. Love is all around us. Embrace it. Someone out there has loved you once before, loves you now, or will love you someday. There are things in your heart that you love whether you even realize it or not. Stop searching so desperately for love. You already have it. You ARE love. We all are.
And with that, I can say, I love you all!
Have an amazing weekend,
Bri
Friday, October 25, 2013
Falling in Love
Just the other day, Nick and I celebrated our one year and eight month anniversary. Well, no, we didn't really celebrate. It was just another day. But, the point is, we have now officially been together for a year and eight months. For some of you that doesn't sound like a very long time. However, for those of you who are in or have ever been in a relationship like mine, you can understand that it feels like we have truly been together for a lifetime. I don't think anyone says it better than Christina Perri when she sings "I have loved you for a thousand years, I will love you for a thousand more." I really, really, deep down in my heart feel like I have known and loved him for thousands of years. For as long as the waves have crashed and the wind has blown. Forever and beyond it. I guess that's how it feels to have a soulmate.
Anyway, flashbacks of memories often appear in my head. The way we were different then. Two years ago, when we were still falling in love. Those memories are the absolute best. Of course, every day and every moment with him is a treasure, but nothing is like those first couple months of pure magic. There is a big difference between falling in love and being in love. And sometimes, I wish I could go back to that.
Now, we know everything about each other, we're together 24/7, we're familiar and comfortable. But when we were still just falling for each other there was so much more risk involved. Back then, I never knew if he was going to always be there the next day or if whatever it was that we were doing would be my last memory with him, and I'm sure he felt the same about me. Nothing was concrete. We could have just been people passing through one another's lives with no major meaning. I always knew that I loved him, but back in those months of falling head over heels for one another, it was different. Everything was just a little bit more special. Maybe because we were constantly learning new things about each other. Or always trying new things together. I guess I don't know what makes it different, but it is. If you have ever heard anyone say that falling is the best part, they weren't kidding. So if any of you out there are in that fantastic stage of a relationship, enjoy it. Treasure every moment. It is the basis for the rest of your relationship together.
Happy Friday, lovlies!
Bri
Anyway, flashbacks of memories often appear in my head. The way we were different then. Two years ago, when we were still falling in love. Those memories are the absolute best. Of course, every day and every moment with him is a treasure, but nothing is like those first couple months of pure magic. There is a big difference between falling in love and being in love. And sometimes, I wish I could go back to that.
Now, we know everything about each other, we're together 24/7, we're familiar and comfortable. But when we were still just falling for each other there was so much more risk involved. Back then, I never knew if he was going to always be there the next day or if whatever it was that we were doing would be my last memory with him, and I'm sure he felt the same about me. Nothing was concrete. We could have just been people passing through one another's lives with no major meaning. I always knew that I loved him, but back in those months of falling head over heels for one another, it was different. Everything was just a little bit more special. Maybe because we were constantly learning new things about each other. Or always trying new things together. I guess I don't know what makes it different, but it is. If you have ever heard anyone say that falling is the best part, they weren't kidding. So if any of you out there are in that fantastic stage of a relationship, enjoy it. Treasure every moment. It is the basis for the rest of your relationship together.
Happy Friday, lovlies!
Bri
Friday, October 18, 2013
A Girl's Guide to Getting (and Keeping) the Guy
Girls are always panicking when they're single. We have all been there. Don't pretend you haven't. You have. As independent as we believe ourselves to be, at some point in our lives, we find ourselves turning into complete psychopaths trying to find our soulmates. Don't feel bad, it's human nature. It happens. So, for all of you ladies out there looking for love, here are a few simple rules to remember.
1. Dont be a bitch. Don't tell him how to dress or how to eat. He's a big boy. If he needs someone to boss him around, he'll be living in his parents basement until he's 40, and you don't want that anyways. But assuming he's a normal adult man, he doesn't need or want your constant bitching. He won't find it sexy when you're rude to strangers or catty with other girls. He doesn't care about your womanly drama. And he especially isn't going to appreciate you being a bitch to his friends or to him about his friends. Don't even pretend to be bitchy. It's not attractive, it's repulsive.
2. Don't be a slut. Seriously. This one might be even more important than not being a bitch. If you actually believe a man that's boyfriend-material is okay with the two of you sharing chlamydia, then you might have to think again. I'm just going to go ahead and take a stab in the dark when I say he doesn't want your STDs/STIs. If he doesn't care whether you have any or not, there's a pretty good chance that he does. And if he does, then you don't want any of that. I do not care how ripped he is, or how nice of eyes he has, a man with no self-awareness is not the man for you. Have some pride in yourself and your lady parts. Don't go grinding on random dudes at the club, don't wear mini-skirts with no underwear, don't send nudies to people you hardly know. It's common sense. I promise if you cut your slutty shit, you're going to find an awesome guy in no time at all.
3. Be sexy. Sexy and slutty are NOT the same thing. Learn the difference. You can look drop-dead gorgeous without inviting all the boys in the neighborhood to come and see what's under your skirt. Wear a slinky dress that actually covers your lady bits. Don't be afraid of lingerie or talking about sex. Make subtle sexual innuendos in your casual barside banter. It's going to turn him on without making you sound like a prostitute. Don't have sex with him on the first night, but don't make him wait too long either. Have some drinks, but don't get hammered. If you drink too much, you are going to start acting slutty. It's unavoidable. So before you make a mess of yourself and ruin the whole sex appeal thing you were working on all night, put down your drink. Bat your eyelashes, flip your hair, think sultry. You're a rockstar.
4. Wear heels. There is not a single man on the planet who doesn't love a woman in heels. Not only do they give you some extra height, but they make your legs look killer. Your muscles instantly look more toned and defined and they're going to draw attention to that cute little tush of yours. Put a pair of heels or wedges on and look in the mirror. Even if your not the type of girl to normally wear heels, you know you look good. It's a total confidence boost. Your legs and butt look awesome, and every guy will notice. Plus, he will be able to tell comfortable you feel with yourself. It's okay to think that you're beautiful. You are. And if you know that without being too cocky, guys are going to notice. And they're going to love it.
5. Be flirty. Flirt, flirt, flirt. As girls, this is our specialty. Half the time, we don't even know we're doing it. But if for some reason you're not, then start. Don't be overbearing. Be casual. Be cool. Tell him he looks good if he does. When you're standing in the corner of the room whispering to your girl friends about how sexy the guy in the v-neck looks, you're doing it wrong. Stop telling them and tell him. He's going to love the compliment, and what's the worst that could happen? Nothing comes out of it. Well, you certainly weren't getting anything out of it when you were admiring him from afar. Don't be afraid to flirt with guys. They're going to appreciate you for making an effort.
6. Take the initiative. Just because you're a female, doesn't mean you should expect men to wait on you hand and foot. Someday it might happen...in a dream world. But don't count on it. Just because you're pretty and dressed nice does not mean they're going to come to you. So go to them. Don't be afraid to go to new places and do new things. New places and activities equal new people. New people means new guys, and hopefully attractive guys. Don't be shy or quiet or scared. You're a sexy, confident woman. So, smile, laugh, and most importantly, approach. If you stand in the shadows your whole life, you'll never achieve anything that you want. Get out there and do your thing. Talk to them before they talk to you. Be outgoing. It's a really kickass quality to have.
7. Play with his head. Take this one with a grain of salt. This is tough because it has to be done just right or it will fail miserably, and you'll probably lose the one you're after. However, if you do it correctly, you'll have your boy in the palm of your hand. And that's just where you want him, isn't it? The most important thing to remember is you have to play hard to get. Give him just enough of who you are. Go ahead and be sexy, flirt, and take the initiative, but don't let on too much. You want to know that he is interested before you walk away. Which is the major reason you don't do the dirty on the first night. Because then what's left? So keep him entertained while remaining at a distance. It's more about being mysterious than anything else. You want him to keep coming back, so leave questions unanswered and doors unopened. Don't push him too far away, but don't text him every day either. It's not as hard as it sounds. Try it out.
8. Be yourself. I know, you hate me a little bit for saying this, but it is the most important rule to remember. If you forget this one, you're a lost cause, and so is the dream boy you've been hunting. From the moment you meet him, don't pretend you're someone different. If he seems like he's a little bit edgy and that's not really your thing, but you want him to want you, do NOT pretend to be edgy. If you are the girliest girl in the entire world, go ahead and be that way. Be whatever it is that you are no matter what he is. Because whatever you do to try to fool him, somewhere down the road, the truth will be uncovered. And then there was never any sense in those little lies you made up. It was all for nothing. If you remember to stay true to the person that you are, you're going to find the one that is meant for you much quicker. Sure, you can go out of your way to change yourself for the guy you're after, but even if you get him, I can damn well bet you that he's not the one you're supposed to be with forever. Your soulmate will help you to take pride in who you really are, so you'll never have to pretend to be something that you're not. Don't ever forget that.
These all may sound a little bit repetitive. A little bit too simple, perhaps? Well yea, they are simple! They are insanely easy, yet somehow, when we lay eyes on the man of our dreams, all common sense slips away. Don't let that happen. Remember the basic rules and you'll win him over. Good luck, girlies.
Love,
Bri
1. Dont be a bitch. Don't tell him how to dress or how to eat. He's a big boy. If he needs someone to boss him around, he'll be living in his parents basement until he's 40, and you don't want that anyways. But assuming he's a normal adult man, he doesn't need or want your constant bitching. He won't find it sexy when you're rude to strangers or catty with other girls. He doesn't care about your womanly drama. And he especially isn't going to appreciate you being a bitch to his friends or to him about his friends. Don't even pretend to be bitchy. It's not attractive, it's repulsive.
2. Don't be a slut. Seriously. This one might be even more important than not being a bitch. If you actually believe a man that's boyfriend-material is okay with the two of you sharing chlamydia, then you might have to think again. I'm just going to go ahead and take a stab in the dark when I say he doesn't want your STDs/STIs. If he doesn't care whether you have any or not, there's a pretty good chance that he does. And if he does, then you don't want any of that. I do not care how ripped he is, or how nice of eyes he has, a man with no self-awareness is not the man for you. Have some pride in yourself and your lady parts. Don't go grinding on random dudes at the club, don't wear mini-skirts with no underwear, don't send nudies to people you hardly know. It's common sense. I promise if you cut your slutty shit, you're going to find an awesome guy in no time at all.
3. Be sexy. Sexy and slutty are NOT the same thing. Learn the difference. You can look drop-dead gorgeous without inviting all the boys in the neighborhood to come and see what's under your skirt. Wear a slinky dress that actually covers your lady bits. Don't be afraid of lingerie or talking about sex. Make subtle sexual innuendos in your casual barside banter. It's going to turn him on without making you sound like a prostitute. Don't have sex with him on the first night, but don't make him wait too long either. Have some drinks, but don't get hammered. If you drink too much, you are going to start acting slutty. It's unavoidable. So before you make a mess of yourself and ruin the whole sex appeal thing you were working on all night, put down your drink. Bat your eyelashes, flip your hair, think sultry. You're a rockstar.
4. Wear heels. There is not a single man on the planet who doesn't love a woman in heels. Not only do they give you some extra height, but they make your legs look killer. Your muscles instantly look more toned and defined and they're going to draw attention to that cute little tush of yours. Put a pair of heels or wedges on and look in the mirror. Even if your not the type of girl to normally wear heels, you know you look good. It's a total confidence boost. Your legs and butt look awesome, and every guy will notice. Plus, he will be able to tell comfortable you feel with yourself. It's okay to think that you're beautiful. You are. And if you know that without being too cocky, guys are going to notice. And they're going to love it.
5. Be flirty. Flirt, flirt, flirt. As girls, this is our specialty. Half the time, we don't even know we're doing it. But if for some reason you're not, then start. Don't be overbearing. Be casual. Be cool. Tell him he looks good if he does. When you're standing in the corner of the room whispering to your girl friends about how sexy the guy in the v-neck looks, you're doing it wrong. Stop telling them and tell him. He's going to love the compliment, and what's the worst that could happen? Nothing comes out of it. Well, you certainly weren't getting anything out of it when you were admiring him from afar. Don't be afraid to flirt with guys. They're going to appreciate you for making an effort.
6. Take the initiative. Just because you're a female, doesn't mean you should expect men to wait on you hand and foot. Someday it might happen...in a dream world. But don't count on it. Just because you're pretty and dressed nice does not mean they're going to come to you. So go to them. Don't be afraid to go to new places and do new things. New places and activities equal new people. New people means new guys, and hopefully attractive guys. Don't be shy or quiet or scared. You're a sexy, confident woman. So, smile, laugh, and most importantly, approach. If you stand in the shadows your whole life, you'll never achieve anything that you want. Get out there and do your thing. Talk to them before they talk to you. Be outgoing. It's a really kickass quality to have.
7. Play with his head. Take this one with a grain of salt. This is tough because it has to be done just right or it will fail miserably, and you'll probably lose the one you're after. However, if you do it correctly, you'll have your boy in the palm of your hand. And that's just where you want him, isn't it? The most important thing to remember is you have to play hard to get. Give him just enough of who you are. Go ahead and be sexy, flirt, and take the initiative, but don't let on too much. You want to know that he is interested before you walk away. Which is the major reason you don't do the dirty on the first night. Because then what's left? So keep him entertained while remaining at a distance. It's more about being mysterious than anything else. You want him to keep coming back, so leave questions unanswered and doors unopened. Don't push him too far away, but don't text him every day either. It's not as hard as it sounds. Try it out.
8. Be yourself. I know, you hate me a little bit for saying this, but it is the most important rule to remember. If you forget this one, you're a lost cause, and so is the dream boy you've been hunting. From the moment you meet him, don't pretend you're someone different. If he seems like he's a little bit edgy and that's not really your thing, but you want him to want you, do NOT pretend to be edgy. If you are the girliest girl in the entire world, go ahead and be that way. Be whatever it is that you are no matter what he is. Because whatever you do to try to fool him, somewhere down the road, the truth will be uncovered. And then there was never any sense in those little lies you made up. It was all for nothing. If you remember to stay true to the person that you are, you're going to find the one that is meant for you much quicker. Sure, you can go out of your way to change yourself for the guy you're after, but even if you get him, I can damn well bet you that he's not the one you're supposed to be with forever. Your soulmate will help you to take pride in who you really are, so you'll never have to pretend to be something that you're not. Don't ever forget that.
These all may sound a little bit repetitive. A little bit too simple, perhaps? Well yea, they are simple! They are insanely easy, yet somehow, when we lay eyes on the man of our dreams, all common sense slips away. Don't let that happen. Remember the basic rules and you'll win him over. Good luck, girlies.
Love,
Bri
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Missing Him
Hello loves,
Sorry it has been such a long time since I last posted. I haven't been around my computer much. Last week, Nick and I both went home to our parents houses for a few days. Nick was going home to hunt. Of course. I was going home just because I haven't been home for awhile, and my car was in need of a trip to the garage. We were apart for five days.
Five days. That doesn't sound like a lot, I know. Especially for those of you in long distance relationships. I applaud all of you that are able to put up with the distance, by the way. But, for me, it was downright awful. Naturally, I love being home with my family, but no matter how much else I've got on my plate while I'm home, my head still swims with thoughts of my baby. I missed him immensely while we were apart. In fact, immensely may be an understatement. Since we live together, I am so used to him always being there. Even when he's not right there, in the room, or in the next room over, he is always relatively close. I feel safe because I can feel his presence. I know he's never more than a few miles away, if that. That was why it was so unbearable for me to be away from him.
We've been apart before, mind you. In the summers and on other breaks. However, this time, the separation felt so much different to me. It was the first time we've been apart since living together. I can't believe how much that has changed the way I feel about his absence. I feel silly, honestly. It makes me feel like maybe I'm too clingy or even, God forbid, desperate. I know that's not the problem, though. I know I just miss him so much because of how much I love him.
I came back to the apartment Tuesday night, and he was already there. He had been here since Sunday night because of school. I knew all along that when he came back, he would be leaving the very next day, Wednesday, to go home and go hunting again for a long weekend. I was secretly hoping all the while that he would stay until Thursday so that I could have one more night with him before he left again. More importantly, one more day.
Well today is Thursday, and I'm all alone. I couldn't keep him here as much as I wanted to tie him down and forbid him to go. I knew how excited he was to go right back to his family, and climb up into his tree stand for a few more days in the woods. I couldn't take that away from him. It's his favorite thing in the whole world, and he doesn't get many chances to do it because of school. So, obviously, I cried when he left. I tried to keep it in, but I'm such a baby. He is my happiness, and without him, I'm not myself. He said he would stay, but I begged him to go. I know he would stay to make me happy, but I wanted him to be happy, too. He deserves it.
So, I will just wait patiently until my perfect boyfriend comes home. It's not like I can't handle being alone, I just really hate being away from him. Now, I'm just crossing my fingers for him in hopes that he brings home some venison and deer jerky to make all this loneliness worth while.
XoXo,
Bri
Sorry it has been such a long time since I last posted. I haven't been around my computer much. Last week, Nick and I both went home to our parents houses for a few days. Nick was going home to hunt. Of course. I was going home just because I haven't been home for awhile, and my car was in need of a trip to the garage. We were apart for five days.
Five days. That doesn't sound like a lot, I know. Especially for those of you in long distance relationships. I applaud all of you that are able to put up with the distance, by the way. But, for me, it was downright awful. Naturally, I love being home with my family, but no matter how much else I've got on my plate while I'm home, my head still swims with thoughts of my baby. I missed him immensely while we were apart. In fact, immensely may be an understatement. Since we live together, I am so used to him always being there. Even when he's not right there, in the room, or in the next room over, he is always relatively close. I feel safe because I can feel his presence. I know he's never more than a few miles away, if that. That was why it was so unbearable for me to be away from him.
We've been apart before, mind you. In the summers and on other breaks. However, this time, the separation felt so much different to me. It was the first time we've been apart since living together. I can't believe how much that has changed the way I feel about his absence. I feel silly, honestly. It makes me feel like maybe I'm too clingy or even, God forbid, desperate. I know that's not the problem, though. I know I just miss him so much because of how much I love him.
I came back to the apartment Tuesday night, and he was already there. He had been here since Sunday night because of school. I knew all along that when he came back, he would be leaving the very next day, Wednesday, to go home and go hunting again for a long weekend. I was secretly hoping all the while that he would stay until Thursday so that I could have one more night with him before he left again. More importantly, one more day.
Well today is Thursday, and I'm all alone. I couldn't keep him here as much as I wanted to tie him down and forbid him to go. I knew how excited he was to go right back to his family, and climb up into his tree stand for a few more days in the woods. I couldn't take that away from him. It's his favorite thing in the whole world, and he doesn't get many chances to do it because of school. So, obviously, I cried when he left. I tried to keep it in, but I'm such a baby. He is my happiness, and without him, I'm not myself. He said he would stay, but I begged him to go. I know he would stay to make me happy, but I wanted him to be happy, too. He deserves it.
So, I will just wait patiently until my perfect boyfriend comes home. It's not like I can't handle being alone, I just really hate being away from him. Now, I'm just crossing my fingers for him in hopes that he brings home some venison and deer jerky to make all this loneliness worth while.
XoXo,
Bri
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Easy Fixes For Relationship Troubles
Hey lovelies, I just came across this amazing article while aimlessly browsing the internet. If you're currently in a relationship, and you're in a rough patch, this post is for you! The following link will certainly be helpful, even if you're single at the moment:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201211/healing-the-cycles-tear-couples-apart
It gives examples of problems we ALL have experienced, are experiencing, or will experiencing. Of course, we all love to believe we have perfect relationships. I, for one, believe no relationship has ever been more perfect than mine. But, part of a perfect relationship is being able to identify with the imperfections. Which leads to the next subject in this article, fixing the problem. The post, "Healing the Cycles that Tear Couples Apart," earns five stars from me.
Hopefully, you all enjoy it as much as I did.
With Love,
Bri
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201211/healing-the-cycles-tear-couples-apart
It gives examples of problems we ALL have experienced, are experiencing, or will experiencing. Of course, we all love to believe we have perfect relationships. I, for one, believe no relationship has ever been more perfect than mine. But, part of a perfect relationship is being able to identify with the imperfections. Which leads to the next subject in this article, fixing the problem. The post, "Healing the Cycles that Tear Couples Apart," earns five stars from me.
Hopefully, you all enjoy it as much as I did.
With Love,
Bri
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Counting Heartbeats
Nick and I have spent countless days and nights together. That means we have a limitless supply of shared memories. There's a few bad moments past scattered throughout, but in general, they're all pretty great. Even the simple ones. They really are. We're a very fun couple. We act like little kids together, and it doesn't take much to make us happy. Give us a large pizza and some Mortal Kombat, and we'll be the happiest you've ever seen.
Among the endless supply of memories littered through my brain is one very special night that I always keep near and dear to my heart. Every time I look back on it, I smile. I'm smiling now just writing about it.
The night itself wasn't anything special. It was the same as all others. I had showed up at his door, like I always did, like a lost puppy waiting to fall into the arms of someone who loved me. Someone who would light me a cigarette and sit outside watching the cold depth of the night turn itself into early morning. We talked for awhile, and had some sex. We were in bed drifting to sleep, the lights were out, all was relatively quiet. That's when I heard it.
It was Nick. He was mumbling something so gently, and quietly. The words were barely audible as they crept out of his thin, boyish lips. His head was on my chest. We rarely slept like this, but I loved when we did. It made me feel like I was the one protecting him for once. With his head turned away from me, the soft words sounded almost foreign because of how unclear they were to make out. "Nick, what are you doing?" I whispered as I ran my fingers through his soft, brown hair.
"Oh, I'm counting your heartbeats," he said, as if that was obvious. That was the cutest thing I had ever heard a guy say to me. Ever. Sure, everyone can give compliments, and tell you how much they care for you. Blah, blah, blah. No, this sweet boy one-upped every nice thing anyone else had ever said. He was falling asleep listening to my heart. The rhythmic drum of my heartbeat inside my chest was lulling him to sleep. That night, I laid down feeling like I had been the one playing protector, but it turns out he was still on guard.
He was protecting my heart. He still is to this day. And if the two of us have any say over it, he will be the one to protect it for the rest of our lives.
This will be last daily blog post, I'm going to start writing one to two days a week. Keep yourself up to date by following my page.
Bri
Among the endless supply of memories littered through my brain is one very special night that I always keep near and dear to my heart. Every time I look back on it, I smile. I'm smiling now just writing about it.
The night itself wasn't anything special. It was the same as all others. I had showed up at his door, like I always did, like a lost puppy waiting to fall into the arms of someone who loved me. Someone who would light me a cigarette and sit outside watching the cold depth of the night turn itself into early morning. We talked for awhile, and had some sex. We were in bed drifting to sleep, the lights were out, all was relatively quiet. That's when I heard it.
It was Nick. He was mumbling something so gently, and quietly. The words were barely audible as they crept out of his thin, boyish lips. His head was on my chest. We rarely slept like this, but I loved when we did. It made me feel like I was the one protecting him for once. With his head turned away from me, the soft words sounded almost foreign because of how unclear they were to make out. "Nick, what are you doing?" I whispered as I ran my fingers through his soft, brown hair.
"Oh, I'm counting your heartbeats," he said, as if that was obvious. That was the cutest thing I had ever heard a guy say to me. Ever. Sure, everyone can give compliments, and tell you how much they care for you. Blah, blah, blah. No, this sweet boy one-upped every nice thing anyone else had ever said. He was falling asleep listening to my heart. The rhythmic drum of my heartbeat inside my chest was lulling him to sleep. That night, I laid down feeling like I had been the one playing protector, but it turns out he was still on guard.
He was protecting my heart. He still is to this day. And if the two of us have any say over it, he will be the one to protect it for the rest of our lives.
This will be last daily blog post, I'm going to start writing one to two days a week. Keep yourself up to date by following my page.
Bri
Friday, September 27, 2013
Family Over Everything
My boyfriend, Nick, cares about my family as if it were his own. And, I feel the same way about his. I love his family, and I know he loves mine just as much. It's so amazing to know that. He treats my younger brother and sister as if they were his own, and they've looked to him as a big brother since the first time they met. From the very first day he ever met my family, he fit right in. It felt like he belonged there.
I had to grow up a lot before I realized how much I appreciated and loved every part of my family. I always loved them, obviously, but it took a long time to figure out that they're truly the greatest people in my life. Nick helped me to do the growing up that I needed to do. He never meant to, but through him, I came to value my family so much more than I ever would have thought possible. If you're ever with someone who pulls you away from your family, you're doing it wrong. No, we don't all love our families, and we can't change the one we're given. So, if it's totally not possible to love your family or his, don't force it. But, if you already have a great relationship with your family, and a man comes between that, then get the hell out of there. The person you love should strengthen the bond, not break it. Nick does that for me. My sweet heart of a boyfriend never ceases to amaze us.
Family first, ya'll!
XoXo
Bri
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
10 Tips on Love That Will Improve the Rest of Your Life Too
1. Believe in love at first sight. Even if it has never happened to you or anyone you know; Even if the only place you have ever seen it is in the movies, believe in it anyways. Believing in fairy tales and dreams coming true isn't stupid or childish, it's hopeful. Love at first sight can happen. And knowing that will make you more optimistic overall.
2. Don't NOT date someone because they're younger or shorter than you. Stop being so picky. You're stopping yourself from being happy for no legitimate reason at all. Broaden you're horizons. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes when you stop putting limitations on the meaningless aesthetics in your life.
3. Stop panicking over never finding love. So you're getting older, and it seems that everyone around you has already found a fairy tale relationship. Lucky bastards. What about you? Stop crying, you'll find it too. True love doesn't have a deadline, so relax. Seriously. You're freaking everybody out. Eliminating this stress in your life will minimize the rest of your problems, too.
4. Don't cheat. Not even once. In this day and age, we all know cheaters and victims of a cheater. It's almost trendy. Don't fall for a bullshit trend like that. You swear to yourself it will be a one-time thing, but once you do it that one time and get away with it, you discover how easy it is. So, you do it all the time. Now you feel comfortable being immoral because you aren't afraid of the consequences. And who knows what you'll do once you're not worried about the results of your actions? Congratulations, you have officially become a shitty person. Nobody wants that guilt.
5. Have a lot of sex. Science tells us that sex releases endorphins, and endorphins make us happy. We all know that sex makes us happy without all the fancy scientific studies. But, it does more than that. It boosts our immune system, reduces stress, and helps deplete the pain of a headache. Outside of that, you need to figure out what you want! Don't settle until you explore all options. It takes experience and experiments to be sure of what you really like. So, go ahead. You go girl.
6. Stop talking about your breakup. I know how much it sucks, and of course you need to vent. Talk to your girls, they'll have your back as always, but only for so long. We've all been through it, and it's the worst. We know. We get it. Have a drink. In fact, have a few, and stop talking about it. Go out there and have fun. The more you talk about it, the more it's on your mind. Go preoccupy yourself and your life will be better than ever in no time at all.
7. Appreciate their flaws. The man you love has flaws, just like you do. If you want him to appreciate yours, you have to do the same for him. Don't give him a hard time. Instead, learn to love those quirky things about him. If you won't ever be able to love them, then he's not the guy for you anyway. When you stop being so petty, and teach yourself to love the bad and negative aspects of a person, you'll be able to do the same for everything else. It will help you to react better to all the things in the world that piss you off.
8. Don't get jealous. You're walking down the street, holding hands with your babe, and you see him give the up-down to a skinny girl with perfect hair and huge boobs. Now you're fucking pissed, and hardly talk to him for the rest of the day. Calm down. If he wanted her and not you, he would have let go of your hand and chased that skinny bitch all the way home. Well, he didn't, did he? He's allowed to look. You do it all the time. It's human nature, and it isn't a crime. Learning to control your jealousy with your boy will help you to keep your envious wrath under wraps every where else you go.
9. Give blowjobs. This one's simple. Don't be a bitch. If you're one of those girls that hates blowjobs, you're bound to lose a lot of good relationships. If you're a stern feminist who thinks this is unfair and uncalled for, then I'm sorry. I'm sure somewhere out there exists a man who doesn't enjoy a good BJ. But usually, guys appreciate it. So be a good girlfriend and head down under. This one will reward you with the special skill known as generosity. Seriously, I'm not joking. Being a generous and caring person sometimes requires sacrificing our own happiness. Blowjobs make good practice.
10. Love fearlessly. Don't be afraid to love. Go searching for love. Fall in love. Love a man. Love a man that you're not going to end up with. Love yourself, your mom, your dad. Love openly without hesitation. Love with reckless abandon. Love your home, your pets, the sky, the earth. Love everything. Your heart can hold it all, I swear. The more you love, the less you fear. Love conquers all, or so they say. So, do it. Don't be scared of love, and you won't be quite so scared of life.
Enjoy, friends!
With much love, Bri
2. Don't NOT date someone because they're younger or shorter than you. Stop being so picky. You're stopping yourself from being happy for no legitimate reason at all. Broaden you're horizons. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes when you stop putting limitations on the meaningless aesthetics in your life.
3. Stop panicking over never finding love. So you're getting older, and it seems that everyone around you has already found a fairy tale relationship. Lucky bastards. What about you? Stop crying, you'll find it too. True love doesn't have a deadline, so relax. Seriously. You're freaking everybody out. Eliminating this stress in your life will minimize the rest of your problems, too.
4. Don't cheat. Not even once. In this day and age, we all know cheaters and victims of a cheater. It's almost trendy. Don't fall for a bullshit trend like that. You swear to yourself it will be a one-time thing, but once you do it that one time and get away with it, you discover how easy it is. So, you do it all the time. Now you feel comfortable being immoral because you aren't afraid of the consequences. And who knows what you'll do once you're not worried about the results of your actions? Congratulations, you have officially become a shitty person. Nobody wants that guilt.
5. Have a lot of sex. Science tells us that sex releases endorphins, and endorphins make us happy. We all know that sex makes us happy without all the fancy scientific studies. But, it does more than that. It boosts our immune system, reduces stress, and helps deplete the pain of a headache. Outside of that, you need to figure out what you want! Don't settle until you explore all options. It takes experience and experiments to be sure of what you really like. So, go ahead. You go girl.
6. Stop talking about your breakup. I know how much it sucks, and of course you need to vent. Talk to your girls, they'll have your back as always, but only for so long. We've all been through it, and it's the worst. We know. We get it. Have a drink. In fact, have a few, and stop talking about it. Go out there and have fun. The more you talk about it, the more it's on your mind. Go preoccupy yourself and your life will be better than ever in no time at all.
7. Appreciate their flaws. The man you love has flaws, just like you do. If you want him to appreciate yours, you have to do the same for him. Don't give him a hard time. Instead, learn to love those quirky things about him. If you won't ever be able to love them, then he's not the guy for you anyway. When you stop being so petty, and teach yourself to love the bad and negative aspects of a person, you'll be able to do the same for everything else. It will help you to react better to all the things in the world that piss you off.
8. Don't get jealous. You're walking down the street, holding hands with your babe, and you see him give the up-down to a skinny girl with perfect hair and huge boobs. Now you're fucking pissed, and hardly talk to him for the rest of the day. Calm down. If he wanted her and not you, he would have let go of your hand and chased that skinny bitch all the way home. Well, he didn't, did he? He's allowed to look. You do it all the time. It's human nature, and it isn't a crime. Learning to control your jealousy with your boy will help you to keep your envious wrath under wraps every where else you go.
9. Give blowjobs. This one's simple. Don't be a bitch. If you're one of those girls that hates blowjobs, you're bound to lose a lot of good relationships. If you're a stern feminist who thinks this is unfair and uncalled for, then I'm sorry. I'm sure somewhere out there exists a man who doesn't enjoy a good BJ. But usually, guys appreciate it. So be a good girlfriend and head down under. This one will reward you with the special skill known as generosity. Seriously, I'm not joking. Being a generous and caring person sometimes requires sacrificing our own happiness. Blowjobs make good practice.
10. Love fearlessly. Don't be afraid to love. Go searching for love. Fall in love. Love a man. Love a man that you're not going to end up with. Love yourself, your mom, your dad. Love openly without hesitation. Love with reckless abandon. Love your home, your pets, the sky, the earth. Love everything. Your heart can hold it all, I swear. The more you love, the less you fear. Love conquers all, or so they say. So, do it. Don't be scared of love, and you won't be quite so scared of life.
Enjoy, friends!
With much love, Bri
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
Nick had a super difficult exam yesterday, and another one this morning. He's hardly gotten any sleep and is nervous and stressed about what his test scores will be. Being the amazing girlfriend that I am, I spent the day cleaning the apartment, washing clothes, and doing dishes. Not to mention, I made these amazing strawberry cheesecake cupcakes from Duncan Hines. Because I lack an electric mixer, the frosting didn't turn out quite as it was supposed to. We don't mind, though. They're still super yummy. And obviously, it was such an easy way to brighten my baby's mood.
Baking goodies is always an easy way to show your guy some love. Like they always say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Whoever said that obviously forgot to account for the man's penis...but either way, you can't go wrong with cupcakes.
Bri
Monday, September 23, 2013
Stop Worrying About Getting Your Feelings Hurt
Hi all, I hope you're all having a happy Monday!
Last night, Nick and I decided to talk about what we didn't like about each other. I know what you're thinking. That we're batshit crazy. You're most likely right about that.
I really don't know how it came about. We were laying in bed, talking. Just about everything and about nothing at the same time. It sounds confusing I guess, but I'm going to assume you know what I mean. It's good to do that every now and then. Talking like that, I mean. Sure, we talk all the time, but sometimes you just really need to talk about your feelings even when nothing at all is wrong.
So, there you have it. We're laying there, arms wrapped around each other's bodies, blankets and pillows tossed haphazardly around our big comfy bed, just saying things. Whatever we felt like saying. That's when Nick said "What's something you hate about me?"
I literally gasped because I was that shocked that he would ask something like that. "I could never hate anything about you," I answered, "Don't be an idiot."
"Well, something that you dislike or just don't love..." he was pushing for a response, so I told him to give me a minute, I would think on it. And, I did. I told him that sometimes I wish he was more wild and adventurous, more carefree, more wildly spontaneous. That was the only thing I could think of, and obviously it's not anything that actually bothers me. It was the best I could come up with, though. I made sure that before I answered, he promised to give me a response to that same question.
He didn't really want to because he was afraid to hurt my feelings, but he pinky-swore, so he didn't have any other choice but to tell me. After a few minutes, he ended up saying "It's not that I don't like it, but sometimes it makes me uneasy that the only thing you really have is me. You put your whole life into me." He went on to say that he actually loves that, but it feels like a whole lot of pressure for one person, and sometimes he wishes I would have other things that I could care about that way. Even though he was so sweet when he said it, and truly didn't mean it in a bad way, it still made me sad. I tried so, so hard not to look upset, but he knew he had hurt me in saying that. We kept talking about it, though, and it quickly became okay. He talked the sadness right out of me.
I mean, I do understand where he's coming from by saying what he did. I know how much I have invested in him, and it's not that he doesn't have that same amount invested in me, but at least he loves other things. He has a genuine passion for other aspects of his life, and I don't have that. It's that I try not to, I just don't care about anything enough.
The moral of the story: Don't be afraid to hurt somebody's feelings. When you're in love, you do this all the time anyway completely by accident. So why not do it on purpose? Discuss what you dislike with the person that you love. It puts you on a whole new plane of honesty. It's such a pure and vulnerable moment for both sides. You're afraid to hurt the other person at the same time that you're worrying about that person hurting you. Just be gentle in doing it. Don't be stupid. It is still about love, not hate. It is supposed to be an exercise to help you rather than hurt you, so if you try it, don't take it too far. But, don't be afraid to be open. When it's over, you can heal each other's wounds, kiss the pain away, and feel oh, so satisfied with the level of communication your relationship now has.
Xo, Bri
If you like this, why not follow me over at Bloglovin? Thanks! =)
Last night, Nick and I decided to talk about what we didn't like about each other. I know what you're thinking. That we're batshit crazy. You're most likely right about that.
I really don't know how it came about. We were laying in bed, talking. Just about everything and about nothing at the same time. It sounds confusing I guess, but I'm going to assume you know what I mean. It's good to do that every now and then. Talking like that, I mean. Sure, we talk all the time, but sometimes you just really need to talk about your feelings even when nothing at all is wrong.
So, there you have it. We're laying there, arms wrapped around each other's bodies, blankets and pillows tossed haphazardly around our big comfy bed, just saying things. Whatever we felt like saying. That's when Nick said "What's something you hate about me?"I literally gasped because I was that shocked that he would ask something like that. "I could never hate anything about you," I answered, "Don't be an idiot."
"Well, something that you dislike or just don't love..." he was pushing for a response, so I told him to give me a minute, I would think on it. And, I did. I told him that sometimes I wish he was more wild and adventurous, more carefree, more wildly spontaneous. That was the only thing I could think of, and obviously it's not anything that actually bothers me. It was the best I could come up with, though. I made sure that before I answered, he promised to give me a response to that same question.
He didn't really want to because he was afraid to hurt my feelings, but he pinky-swore, so he didn't have any other choice but to tell me. After a few minutes, he ended up saying "It's not that I don't like it, but sometimes it makes me uneasy that the only thing you really have is me. You put your whole life into me." He went on to say that he actually loves that, but it feels like a whole lot of pressure for one person, and sometimes he wishes I would have other things that I could care about that way. Even though he was so sweet when he said it, and truly didn't mean it in a bad way, it still made me sad. I tried so, so hard not to look upset, but he knew he had hurt me in saying that. We kept talking about it, though, and it quickly became okay. He talked the sadness right out of me.
I mean, I do understand where he's coming from by saying what he did. I know how much I have invested in him, and it's not that he doesn't have that same amount invested in me, but at least he loves other things. He has a genuine passion for other aspects of his life, and I don't have that. It's that I try not to, I just don't care about anything enough.
The moral of the story: Don't be afraid to hurt somebody's feelings. When you're in love, you do this all the time anyway completely by accident. So why not do it on purpose? Discuss what you dislike with the person that you love. It puts you on a whole new plane of honesty. It's such a pure and vulnerable moment for both sides. You're afraid to hurt the other person at the same time that you're worrying about that person hurting you. Just be gentle in doing it. Don't be stupid. It is still about love, not hate. It is supposed to be an exercise to help you rather than hurt you, so if you try it, don't take it too far. But, don't be afraid to be open. When it's over, you can heal each other's wounds, kiss the pain away, and feel oh, so satisfied with the level of communication your relationship now has.
Xo, Bri
If you like this, why not follow me over at Bloglovin? Thanks! =)
More To The Story
There is a lot of back story between my life with Nick as it is now. This story begins in the summer of my sophomore year of college. I had a little over a week of summer left before I would travel back to school to start classes again when I decided I wasn't going to go back. I would go back to my college town to live, but I didn't want to do the whole school thing. It just wasn't for me, I came to realize. What really pushed me to make this realization was a conversation Nick and I had a few days prior to that. We talked about my dream of living at the beach, maybe opening a bar or a surf shop and his fantasy of working for a deep sea fishing charter. "We could do that," I said. "Who says we can't?" I was being totally serious. I was actually ready to pack up and move hundreds of miles away from my home to make my dream come true. I didn't see any reason I should let anything stop me. I thought Nick believed in this plan as much as I did. I was wrong.
It's not so much that he didn't believe, but he didn't think it was possible. I wasn't scared. I rarely am. I jump into everything in my life spontaneously and open-mindedly. I like to push boundaries, be the rebel, and do things everyone else is afraid to try. For Nick, these dreams could never be possible. They would never be jobs that would support a family. He couldn't quit school. We didn't have the money. These were the excuses I was given. However, it was too late. I had made up my mind. I was quitting college. Not because I wasn't good at it or didn't like it. Simply, because I felt I didn't need it to achieve my goals.
I couldn't leave him, though. I had to stay in my college town because he was there. So, I spent that year wishing I was somewhere else. He told me so many times to go, but how could I? My life was here. I knew that even though I would be in a new place- and that was all I really ever wanted- I would never be happy if Nick was not there with me. I've spent another whole year here since then, still unsure of my future. As of right now, I do not know what I want to do with the rest of my life. Short-term or long-term. I just don't know. I work as a waitress currently, and no I don't love it. In fact, I despise it. But, right now, I don't know what else to do. I'm not in a hurry, though, I'm happy.
I know two things. One, I want to move far away, someplace I've never been with an amazing view out my window of this miraculous world. Two, I want to be with Nick. Always.
To some people, it sounds like Nick is holding me back. It may sound like some of my dreams and aspirations were put on pause because I'm waiting for him. That's not the case, though. I'm waiting for me. I need to figure out what I want to do before I can make any major adjustments in my life, and Nick helps me to do that.
When Nick graduates and moves away, I will go with him. I would go with him to the moon and back if he asked me to. I know that someday I'll figure out what it is that I want. I already know who I want. The rest is taking a bit longer to figure out, but I'm working on it. I'll never want a real career, anyway, just something to keep me busy, but not suck the life out of me. God, am I thankful for a man like Nick that accepts me and my carefree ways.
Love, Bri
Saturday, September 21, 2013
It's Probably No Biggie
Living together. Wow. Where to begin? Nick and I have officially had our first apartment together since this past May. That's about four months. However, since we were both home for the majority of our summer, we have really only been living here together for a little over a month. And, it is fantastic.
Before we moved in, we wondered how it would change our relationship. Nick thought he wouldn't get enough alone time, and I thought we would get into a lot of fights about little things. Boy, am I surprised. I can honestly say this is the best our relationship has ever been. We haven't fought about a single thing the entire time we've lived here thus far. We split the chores and grocery shop together. It all feels so mature; so adult. Now, I'm far from the most mature person I know. And, when I say far, I'm talking really fucking far. However, my living situation is better than I would have ever thought. I love it more than anything, and I am incredibly happy.
Despite how happy I am, I feel as though, maybe I am not giving Nick enough space. He's a guy, and he wants his guy time. That is perfectly okay, but I tend to forget that. I could be with him all day, every day and never get sick of it. I mean that 100%. I don't need anything more than to be with him to be happy, but he likes a bit of alone time now and then.
When you're with your guy, and he wants to be alone, or gets bored of the same routine every day, whether you live together or are just with each other very often, don't panic. It's probably nothing. The most important thing to remember is that he's not bored of you. He's just looking to mix things up a bit. As much as you love to spend every minute with him, it's okay to let him go off and do his own thing without you. Go stay at a friend's place for the night. Give him the treat of the whole bed! It doesn't sound like a lot, but I guarantee he'll appreciate it.
I struggle with these things with Nick. I never go anywhere else, I just want to be with him all the time. Then, I get worried because I feel like he gets bored. I know, though, that he's not bored or upset, he just isn't a girl. He doesn't want to lay in bed and cuddle all day, and that's perfectly okay. Just remember to never freak out, because girls tend to get worked up over problems that don't even exist. Living together is a lot to handle sometimes, but relax, no matter what seems to be wrong, it's probably not a big deal.
Bri
Friday, September 20, 2013
Just a Reminder
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.”
― Pablo Neruda
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Love, Bri
Thursday, September 19, 2013
A Moment That Defined Forever
It doesn't feel like it was very long ago when I was sitting in Nick's apartment, cuddled up in his fuzzy red blanket on his bed, watching him play his guitar. Every night was the same. We would have so much fun together, staying up most of the night. Streaming movies online, listening to new music, doing homework together; no matter what we did, the connection between us was unlike any I had ever had with another person.
We would meet up a few times during the day. For coffee, for lunch, or just for a few minutes to say hi in passing. We would go to parties together at night. And, of course, the best part- we would have big kid sleepovers every single night. Sleepovers full of cuddling, sex, and very little sleep. The very best kind. I was comfortable with what we had. I loved every minute of it. However, I believed that it would never be anything more than that. We loved each other all along, we shared so many feelings, not to mention how great our physical relationship had been from the very beginning. I thought that was all it was, though. I was under the impression that Nick would never be ready to call me his girlfriend. I thought we would never end up dating; that we would only hang out and hang out some more until he eventually got tired of that and we fizzled out.
That is why it's an understatement to say he caught me off guard when he finally asked me out. It was February 21st, 2012. Roughly three in the morning. We had just gotten done having sex. His body pressed against mine as he laid on top of me. Two sweaty bodies breathing in unison, staring into one another's eyes, in the darkness. Just enough moonlight sneaking in from the window to see each other's faces. This was nothing special. But then, all of a sudden, he kissed my face and whispered through the blackness of the room, "Be with me."
Just like that. He never gave me a choice, not that I even had one to make. It hadn't been my choice from the first moment I laid eyes on him six months earlier. Not only was I already with him, but I was his. Completely.
That must have been why I didn't answer. This was the moment I was waiting for, for what felt like forever. It's not that I didn't want to answer. I wanted to more than anything I've ever wanted. Up until that moment, though, I never knew what it meant to truly be speechless. Right then, I was speechless. I physically couldn't get a word out; they were sticking in my throat. As soon as he said those three words, it felt like my heart stopped and my throat closed up. I could hardly believe it. It felt so surreal. How long I was actually silent, I don't know. I just stared at him, though, for what felt like an hour. Finally I wiggled my arms out from under him, and gently wrapped my fingers around his warm, smooth neck. I kissed him hard, but softly at the same time. "Yes," I finally mustered. "I will. I want to."
I wanted to cry. This was the happiest I could ever remember being. He pulled me in, holding me so close to his heart, and if I wasn't sure about what we had before this, I certainly was now. I knew then that nothing would ever be able to break what we had. This was meant to be. This was real. It was true love.
Have any of you ever had a moment like this?
XoXo,
Bri
We would meet up a few times during the day. For coffee, for lunch, or just for a few minutes to say hi in passing. We would go to parties together at night. And, of course, the best part- we would have big kid sleepovers every single night. Sleepovers full of cuddling, sex, and very little sleep. The very best kind. I was comfortable with what we had. I loved every minute of it. However, I believed that it would never be anything more than that. We loved each other all along, we shared so many feelings, not to mention how great our physical relationship had been from the very beginning. I thought that was all it was, though. I was under the impression that Nick would never be ready to call me his girlfriend. I thought we would never end up dating; that we would only hang out and hang out some more until he eventually got tired of that and we fizzled out.
That is why it's an understatement to say he caught me off guard when he finally asked me out. It was February 21st, 2012. Roughly three in the morning. We had just gotten done having sex. His body pressed against mine as he laid on top of me. Two sweaty bodies breathing in unison, staring into one another's eyes, in the darkness. Just enough moonlight sneaking in from the window to see each other's faces. This was nothing special. But then, all of a sudden, he kissed my face and whispered through the blackness of the room, "Be with me."
Just like that. He never gave me a choice, not that I even had one to make. It hadn't been my choice from the first moment I laid eyes on him six months earlier. Not only was I already with him, but I was his. Completely.
That must have been why I didn't answer. This was the moment I was waiting for, for what felt like forever. It's not that I didn't want to answer. I wanted to more than anything I've ever wanted. Up until that moment, though, I never knew what it meant to truly be speechless. Right then, I was speechless. I physically couldn't get a word out; they were sticking in my throat. As soon as he said those three words, it felt like my heart stopped and my throat closed up. I could hardly believe it. It felt so surreal. How long I was actually silent, I don't know. I just stared at him, though, for what felt like an hour. Finally I wiggled my arms out from under him, and gently wrapped my fingers around his warm, smooth neck. I kissed him hard, but softly at the same time. "Yes," I finally mustered. "I will. I want to."
I wanted to cry. This was the happiest I could ever remember being. He pulled me in, holding me so close to his heart, and if I wasn't sure about what we had before this, I certainly was now. I knew then that nothing would ever be able to break what we had. This was meant to be. This was real. It was true love.
Have any of you ever had a moment like this?
XoXo,
Bri
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
It's Actually Never Too Soon
I remember scrolling through my Facebook news feed so many times, seeing couples who had only been dating for two weeks posting, "OMG, I love you forever," all over one another's wall. You have to be kidding me, I would think to myself. They've been together for, like what? A minute? As it turns out, falling in love changed how I saw these people and their shockingly quick love for each other.
Now, I admit, of course, people do take the word "love" for granted. We throw it out on a daily basis, over little things that we probably don't really have an undying passion for. We hear "Hate is a strong word" all the time, but no one every says anything about "love" being a strong word. Love is even stronger than hate, if you ask me. Yet, somehow, we forget that. There are people who undoubtedly overuse the word "love" and more importantly the phrase, "I Love You." They say it to people who are still practically strangers to them. That will always happen, but we shouldn't be so quick to judge those that are more apt to throw the word around. Maybe all those people that we think are being irrational just know something that we don't.
Nick and I were together for six months before we became "official." I don't even know what that means. It took us six whole months before we decided people could refer to us a couple. We gave ourselves the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend, and it was finally okay to say that we were dating. But what about the six months before that? We were falling head-over-heels in love with each other the whole damn time, but apparently those six amazing months don't count because we weren't "official."
Well, this is how I learned that things aren't always as they appear. Nick and I were saying "I love you" five days after we stared officially dating. That's right. Five days. To the rest of the world, this would look as though we were dating for five days, and then decided we loved each other. That's not the truth of it, though. The truth is we fell in love long before the world knew us to be a couple. We loved one another for the entire six months. That first time he said I love you, and I said it back, I realized that it really is never too soon to say I love you. What we should be more worried about is saying it too late. What harm is there in saying I love you to someone that we don't love, or saying it before we truly love a person? Who decided that was unacceptable? If you ask me, society is wrong to scorn those who love so freely and willingly.
Say "I Love You." Say it often and loudly. Say it because you mean it, even if everyone else thinks that you don't. We shouldn't be afraid of those words. They are nothing more that, they are words. They can't hurt us. Sure, admitting that we love something or someone makes us more vulnerable, more naked. We shouldn't run from those emotions, though. We should embrace them. Maybe if none of us were afraid of being in love or opening our mouths and telling everybody that we're in love, the world would be just a little better off.
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with me at lovelusteverything@yahoo.com
Love, Bri <3
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Now, I admit, of course, people do take the word "love" for granted. We throw it out on a daily basis, over little things that we probably don't really have an undying passion for. We hear "Hate is a strong word" all the time, but no one every says anything about "love" being a strong word. Love is even stronger than hate, if you ask me. Yet, somehow, we forget that. There are people who undoubtedly overuse the word "love" and more importantly the phrase, "I Love You." They say it to people who are still practically strangers to them. That will always happen, but we shouldn't be so quick to judge those that are more apt to throw the word around. Maybe all those people that we think are being irrational just know something that we don't.
Nick and I were together for six months before we became "official." I don't even know what that means. It took us six whole months before we decided people could refer to us a couple. We gave ourselves the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend, and it was finally okay to say that we were dating. But what about the six months before that? We were falling head-over-heels in love with each other the whole damn time, but apparently those six amazing months don't count because we weren't "official."
Well, this is how I learned that things aren't always as they appear. Nick and I were saying "I love you" five days after we stared officially dating. That's right. Five days. To the rest of the world, this would look as though we were dating for five days, and then decided we loved each other. That's not the truth of it, though. The truth is we fell in love long before the world knew us to be a couple. We loved one another for the entire six months. That first time he said I love you, and I said it back, I realized that it really is never too soon to say I love you. What we should be more worried about is saying it too late. What harm is there in saying I love you to someone that we don't love, or saying it before we truly love a person? Who decided that was unacceptable? If you ask me, society is wrong to scorn those who love so freely and willingly.
Say "I Love You." Say it often and loudly. Say it because you mean it, even if everyone else thinks that you don't. We shouldn't be afraid of those words. They are nothing more that, they are words. They can't hurt us. Sure, admitting that we love something or someone makes us more vulnerable, more naked. We shouldn't run from those emotions, though. We should embrace them. Maybe if none of us were afraid of being in love or opening our mouths and telling everybody that we're in love, the world would be just a little better off.
What do you guys think? Share your thoughts with me at lovelusteverything@yahoo.com
Love, Bri <3
Like what you're reading? Click this link to follow my blog!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
I Guess This is Growing Up
So, just the other day my boyfriend told me that his ex-girlfriend had just gotten engaged. Engaged? Really? That's crazy to me. What if Nick and her were still together? Does that mean that Nick would be ready to get engaged at this point in his life, too, if only because she was? Regardless, it blows my mind.
People my age are starting to get engaged and have kids, and I can't get over it. When did we all get old enough to do those things? I live with my boyfriend, take care of my own dog, and support myself. Still, I feel so young at heart. I don't feel old enough to have any real responsibilities. When did this happen to us? I remember my first crush like it just happened. I feel like I just found who I thought was my first love or just experienced what I thought to be my first heartbreak, and now I'm going to weddings and baby showers. When did we turn in to these adults that we were all dying to be? I hate it.
The worst part about it, though, is that I'm not too far off. I can't say that I don't think about getting married. I think about it pretty frequently, and that's something I never even really had in the cards for myself. My, how we change. Not only that, but I am probably one of those people everyone else is talking about being in the next stage of my life. I do live with my boyfriend, after all. That is a pretty big commitment, and it's something most people won't do until they are quite a bit older.
It's not that any of this is a bad thing, but it sure is a hard thing to grasp. I'm not scared to get old or anything like that, but I can't help but be a little freaked out by how quickly we're all growing up. Think about the fact that most of our parents were our age or a few years older when they had us. What? No way. There is no way I want to think about that yet. I don't know what the next few years will have in store for me. At this rate, the possibilities are limitless. All I know, is that I am so happy I have someone to love me though it all.
Xo, Bri
Xo, Bri
Monday, September 16, 2013
Salvation
Hello all,
I hope everyone had a decent Monday. I'm sharing another music video with everyone today. This is something I only discovered recently, so it doesn't have much of a story behind it, but it really is a powerful song. Absolutely beautifully composed, Gabrielle Aplin has such a soft voice and the overall feel of the song is super emotional. It is an awesome sing-a-long that everyone will be able to relate to, whether you have a significant other or not. Listen to "Salvation" below, and let me know what you think!
With much love, Bri
Sunday, September 15, 2013
How To Date a Country Boy
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My baby is an outdoorsman. Fishing, hunting, talking about fishing and hunting, buying fishing and hunting gear, walking in the woods, taking pictures in the woods, wearing camo, buying camo, watching shows about fishing and hunting, etc. This is what he loves. For me, growing up in bumfuck, nowhere, I get it. I know why people love this stuff, but I never really did. Sure, I'll do it, but not very often. Where I live, everyone that I know has either done these things once or does them all the time. It is simply just the way it goes, and there's nothing wrong with that. The lifestyles people favor are different everywhere. Dating a country boy like Nick, I have found myself with a real appreciation for these sorts of hobbies. No, I don't love them, and probably never will. However, I do love the way he feels about them.
I love his passion for the outdoors. When he is happy, I am too, and when he's doing any of those things, he is most definitely happy. It makes me smile, watching how serious he is about what he loves. He gets so excited for fishing and hunting season. I really don't have anything that I love the way he loves being outdoors, doing all of those manly things. He is dedicated and devoted to always being better and having the best equipment. I don't have that same burning desire for anything. It is beautiful to watch. I love the joy it brings him.
Bri
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Don't Be Afraid To Open Your Heart
Often times, there are things on my mind that I don't say. I have so many emotions that I don't share with Nick simply because it's easier that way. I have a lot of feelings. I'm a girl. We're like that sometimes. He always knows when I'm silencing myself, and he does his best to get it out of me. Eventually, I come around and tell him whats bugging me. I shouldn't be afraid to tell him from the beginning, though. I should just lay it on the table. We all should. It's okay to be emotional and to say what's on our mind. I recently came across this amazing Zooey Deschanel quote that sums this up perfectly:
“Being tender and open is beautiful. As a woman, I feel continually shhh’ed. Too sensitive. Too mushy. Too wishy washy. Blah blah. Don’t let someone steal your tenderness. Don’t allow the coldness and fear of others to tarnish your perfectly vulnerable beating heart. Nothing is more powerful than allowing yourself to truly be affected by things.”
This is beautiful. Keep this in mind. Don't ever let anyone or anything stop you from displaying your emotions.
Bri
Friday, September 13, 2013
"If I Know You Like I Think I Do" -a poem
Happy Friday the Thirteenth, my little lovebirds. For today's post, I want to share with you a poem I wrote over a year ago. It speaks of the familiarity I felt with Nick upon first meeting him. It was as if I had known him my whole life, as if he had been there for every major event, even though for most of our lives we never even knew the other existed. This poem is about the heart overpowering the mind.
If I Know You Like I Think I Do
If you’re wearing that same old ragged sweater
The one with the frayed sleeves
That you can hardly go a day without
Then I’m talking to you
I’m talking to you
Because, I think, out of all the faces
You’ll be the one to truly understand
I recall that day so well
I was young, my hands were small
The ice cream melted on the table while I waited
There was panic on their faces
I think you know that feeling of helplessness
I remember when
I rode the ferris wheel for the first time
The big one
The one overlooking the ocean
I finally felt free, the way the breeze danced on my skin
I imagine you being there, too, feeling oh, so free
There was that time on the dark winding road
The rain fell more rapidly than I was used to
My friends at home watching TV while my sister and I
Held a one-car street race with the roads at their very worst
Then we were airborne
Then we weren’t, but then we were again, and
You know exactly what I’m talking about
The best of them all was the night
I was standing just close enough to the sea
The water racing towards my toes, then slowly inching back home
I felt so small, the way the world was looking at me
The only one on the shoreline
Under all of the brightest stars
You know better than anyone that this world
Holds far too much beauty for any of us to ever conceive
I’m talking to you because
I was here, and you were there, but
You were always feeling everything that I was feeling.
I hope some of you can relate, or understand and appreciate what I was trying to say through writing this. The heart brings people together in an incredible fashion. It intertwines and syncs two lives to one another. Give me some feedback, friends!
Bri
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Magical Things
As we all know, falling in love often takes a substantial amount of effort from both people. It does not just fall from cupid's fluffy clouds and into our laps. We have to do everything we can to hatch our little love egg and help it to grow into something beautiful. Once we have it, it is still a challenge. It's not that it isn't easy, because it is. Real love is so simple and easy and pure, but at the same time, it takes two people constantly striving to keep the bond strong. Everyone comes to face challenges with their relationships. Petty, minor arguments and fights full of tears that last for days. It happens. It's inevitable. These wither away at that bond, though. Time wears away at it, too, and the bolts loosen.
As a couple, you have to remember to make magical things happen. Love is the most amazing of all human emotions. Through love, we can feel joy, excitement, ecstasy, disappointment, anger, sorrow, warmth, happiness. Love keeps us in tune with the emotions of another, as well as our own emotions. This is, by no means, something that should be taken for granted. Cherish it. Be proud of it. Most importantly, be willing to work for it. Make the magic happen!
Making your love magical is so much more than finding cute ways to say "I love you," and surprising one another with small tokens of appreciation. Make memories. That is where the enchantment begins. If you want something more than ordinary, take what you have, and light it on fire. Spending time doing something creative together is the quickest and surest way to tie all of the knots back together.
I remember a time Nick and I were sitting around, completely bored, and decided to walk down to the river to have a rock skipping competition. No, maybe there's nothing special about that, but it was such a nice way to spend time with one another. Once, we heard about a meteor shower, so we waited until late at night and drove and drove until we found a perfectly dark place beside a lake. Even though it was the middle of winter, we sat outside talking and keeping each other warm under the shooting stars until the early morning. Another time, we climbed to the roof of a building downtown and sat high above the rest of the city just watching everyone on the streets below. We were filthy from sitting on the roof so we showered together afterwards to help clean the dirt off one another. This was the first time we had ever showered together, and it was so much more special than it could have been because of the night that led up to it. All of these are such simple activities, but they are magnificent memories. They are things of magic.
Never lose the sense of wonder and magic that your love is capable of. It is truly what love is all about. If you always remember that, your love can not fail.
Your girl,
Bri
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sharing Views
On a day like today, I felt the subject of sharing views would only be appropriate. Twelve years ago today was one of the most painful days in our nation's history. We were blindsided by our enemies, hit hard and hit close to home. We lost an unfathomable number of our brothers and sisters. Personally, I was very young on the date of the September 11th attacks, but I remember the events of the day vividly. I remember learning about solar eclipses in my third grade classroom. I remember the way our studies were interrupted, the way the teachers gathered together, the discomfort that hung in the air over their whispers, and the looks on their faces. As soon as I was buckled into the backseat of my mother's car, I can still picture her trying with all her might to keep her composure as she tried to explain what happened to our young, innocent little minds. She broke down. She did her best to break the news, but it came out muffled between gasps and tears.
I was young- only a child. I hadn't known anyone whose soul had been stolen by these terrorists. I couldn't understand why something like this would happen. Even so, I was terrified for years. Just like every other American, I did not feel safe in my own home. This broke our country. We fell together, and rose from the ashes as a nation. We have tried our bests to rebuild, but what happened that day, will never be forgotten. Those that lost their lives shall live on forever in the hearts of every American. We will not forget.
Today, I spent the day in the nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. I rode on the back of my daddy's Harley into the city with hundreds of thousands of other bikers as a memorial service for all those lost and all those still fighting for our freedom, as well as a reminder to never forgot what it takes to be free.
Today, I felt so much pride for my country. I grew up in a conservative family in which I learned to value our constitutional rights. You're probably starting to wonder how any of this fits into my blog about love and relationships. The answer to that is that today, I was not only proud, but also grateful. I was grateful for all the people that share my beliefs, in particular, my wonderful Nick. Nick and I have the same views on most political subjects, and that is truly a blessing.
I was young- only a child. I hadn't known anyone whose soul had been stolen by these terrorists. I couldn't understand why something like this would happen. Even so, I was terrified for years. Just like every other American, I did not feel safe in my own home. This broke our country. We fell together, and rose from the ashes as a nation. We have tried our bests to rebuild, but what happened that day, will never be forgotten. Those that lost their lives shall live on forever in the hearts of every American. We will not forget.
Today, I spent the day in the nation's capitol, Washington, D.C. I rode on the back of my daddy's Harley into the city with hundreds of thousands of other bikers as a memorial service for all those lost and all those still fighting for our freedom, as well as a reminder to never forgot what it takes to be free.
 |
| Waiting to start the ride. |
 |
| Taking over the Beltway, riding into downtown D.C. |
 |
| Stopped in front of the Washington Monument. |
People form relationships with people who have different beliefs, values, and morals all the time. No, it's not unheard of or impossible, but I can tell you from firsthand experience, that it feels so much better to have someone that you can talk to about your opinions. When the person you love is willing to back you on anything and everything, when they support all that you do, and fight alongside you in your battles, you are nothing short of fortunate. Matters of our nation's government are important to me. Nick accepts that, and agrees with the way that I feel. Knowing that is a godsend. It gives me faith and hope.
It doesn't matter what you believe or don't believe. It doesn't matter if you care about politics or religion, or if you just don't care about anything at all. What matters is having someone to stand beside you and feel what you feel. Sharing the same views is not necessary, but it is convenient. Find someone who you can have a meaningful discussion about major issues with, and you will undoubtedly find yourself attracted to that person. If this person happens to be your one true love, then it's your lucky day!
Until next time, Bri
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