Celebrating Two Years Of Livin' In Sin

Today is Hoop and my two year anniversary.

Throughout the day yesterday, Hoop kept turning to me and saying, "Two years, babe! Can you believe that?" I can't. No matter how many times he asked, I couldn't wrap my brain around that fact. My life was so very different two years ago. I was meeting him at Carrabba's. I didn't know any of you yet. I was eight pounds skinnier and didn't have as many laugh lines on my face. I was anxious. For months we'd been staring across rooms at each other. I knew he was the one. I was worried I would screw something up before he could realize it.

When he arrived, I went to hug him. He hesitated. He'd expected me to be more aloof. We talked all through dinner, neither eating very much. He was so nervous when the bill came that he couldn't figure out the tip. Then we went to the bookstore for coffee. We spent the next several hours on the curb, drinking, smoking, and sharing as much as we could. High off the momentum of the date, our stories got ballsy. He told me about farting in front of his ex's father. I told him about my Mom's plan to get me knocked up in Greece if I was still single by 25.

Reluctantly, we parted ways. "Let's leave while it's still a perfect date," Hoop said. I'll never forget that. He called me the next day. We saw each other every weekend for a month, and every day on the following. It was in December when I asked him to move in. We were eating shrimp in the cold. He'd already been sleeping over most nights, so I didn't think my question too bold. Hoop paused over his meal. "I'll think about it," he said. He thought about it for over a month before deciding to take the leap out of bachelorhood.

Five months after Hoop moved in, we decided to put the house on the market. Ok, ok, I decided to put the house on the market. Apparently, it's on that spot in the timeline that I lost my mind. Bless Hoop's heart, he didn't hesitate this time. From that moment on our lives were a whirlwind. I'd pulled the bottom out of the Jenga pile and we were doing everything possible to keep it from falling. On the days I felt like crying, he made me laugh. I'd scream and he'd scream back. He'd give up and I'd continue plowing through. Eventually, we found the other side.

To the man who who makes me snort, gives me goosebumps, and holds the other half of my world... I love you Hoop!

Tink's Livin' In Sin Anniversary Gift Guide:
(DEDICATED TO PAMER)

1st year: PAPER
Marriage Certificate (Would be nice)

2nd year: COTTON
Nightie (Isn't puppy love grand?)

3rd year: LEATHER
Whip (Keeping it fresh)

4th year: FRUIT
Apples (Props to Eve)

5th year: WOOD
His (If he's lucky)

6th year: IRON
Chasity Belt (He STILL hasn't proposed?!)

7th year: WOOL
Sweater (What you knit for him between barefoot pregnancies)

8th year: BRONZE
Gong (For those mornings he really pisses you off)

9th year: POTTERY
Mug (Probably made in therapy)

10th year: ALUMINUM
6 pack of Bud (For you, not him)

Anyone have any advice for Hoop and I for the future?