It all started with my mom wanting to make a trip to Louisiana to visit with my Grandparents and to take them on a mini vacay. The plan was my mom was going to drive to Jacksonville to pick me up and from there we'd go together. 4 days prior she surprised me with a switch up of plans with me driving back home and us leaving from there. So I left for SWFL the next morning.
Day 1. It was March 9th 2011 (Ill never forget that day) and I hadn't visited home since moving to Jacksonville in Sept 2010. As I have previously blogged about in "Tough Love", I was escaping my ex and the thought of going back to the place we met gave me the shakes. So to calm my nerves I called my best friend Carisa who has always been there for me no matter what. We hadn't seen each other in almost a year and I couldn't wait. You know how it feels to talk to a friend you hadn't in a while and you pick back up right where you had left off? That's how it was, and after telling her my concerns of returning home she put me at ease. In fact, she was going out to the club that night with her boyfriend and his friend and asked me to join. Pshhhh she knows my sweet spot, I never turn down a chance to party. Never, unless I'm pregnant and in that case it's debatable.
After seeing my parents and dinner, I went over to Carisa's to get ready. I put on the tightest shortest dress ever (which I still have for memory purposes) that my dad would consider a washcloth. While putting on make up she started telling me about her boyfriends friend. She said, "Do you know Michael Rodriguez?" And I immediately my eyes filled with tears. "Yeah, that was Tito's best friend." She knew what I meant and there was no need for any more questions.
And when I said I knew him, I meant I knew of him. He was always at our family bbq's at my grandmas with Tito. And since they were much older than I, we never said more than hi and bye as I was just a little kid.
Carisa and I left around 10 to go pick them up. Both got in the backseat with just a hi, and I introduced myself to Michael. I knew as soon as I said my name he had no clue who I was. So Carisa and I went back to talking about inappropriate things and she mentioned that Michael had just gotten a tattoo that day that was super nice. I turned around and said, "So can I see it?". "Yeah sure." Was his response and knowing Michael as I do now, it's such a typical response. No elaboration, just the bear minimum is as far as it goes.
Arriving at the club we realized it was cash only to get in the door. Damn I hate that shit. So we were about to leave to find an ATM when Michael offered to just pay for me. I also hate that shit, and was annoyed that someone else was paying for anything of mine. In lieu the first 3 rounds were on me out of like 16. We were all having a great time dancing as the music was actually decent. I like to dance by myself and hate when grimy guys just walk up behind me and put their junk on my back. Gross. Like a gentleman Michael asked to dance with me. How cute is chivalry these days! We danced until we were tired and both decided to take a break outside on the patio.
So the questions started, "why are you here?". He told me that he was on leave from deployment in Afghanistan. I started sharing why I was there and mentioned that I had been staying away for a while as he said, "yeah it's always hard for me to come back too." "Why's that?". And what he said Ill never forget, "this is where my best friend died." Immediately I knew who he was talking about and from that point on I don't even remember what he said about Tito. But I started to cry as he was describing him, what he meant to him, and the old times they had had together. Just by how he spoke of him I knew that he loved him and truly missed him everyday. He had to have been talking 20 min straight without my interjection. He looked up and noticed I had tears streaming down my face. "Oh no why are you crying, was it something I said?" as he wiped them away. I shook my head and said, "that was my cousin." He looked a little confused and I knew it was cause he was going over every family member he had known of ours. Finally he looked up and said, "do I know you?" I said well I know you. "You're Mrs. Rodriguez's daughter?! The oldest one?" "No actually I am the baby." I'm sure his jaw would've dropped open if he would've allowed it haha. The rest of the night we spent talking and laughing outside until last call and went home.
Since I had been drinking, driving back home to "Mrs. Rodriguez" would've been a nightmare. So I spent the night and we stayed up all night talking. And I don't mean "talking", we literally just talked. No funny business, he didn't even try to kiss me. Which honestly took me by surprise because there was a definite attraction. And my experience up until that moment was that guys were dogs, users, and abusers. I was so used to being treated that way, I would protect myself by treating them the same. Use, abuse, and introduce them to the curb before they could blink.
Day 2. The sun woke me up even though I don't remember the moment my mouth finally shut the hell up. My first thought was that I had to get back home before 101 questions started from my mom. And I had also promised my neighbor that I would help her break a young mare. I rushed out before anyone was awake. I purposefully didn't leave my number. I've never been the clingy or overbearing bitch, the thought of being that way makes me want to shove a corn on the cob up my nose. If it was important to him, he'd find a way to get it.
I went to help with the horse as I had promised. She was a stubborn thing that didn't want a soul to tell her what to do. Finally I just hopped on hoping the more aggressive approach would tame her stubborn soul. Three falls later, I felt like I was being kicked around by a rhino and finally let her go feed while I surveyed my injuries. Went back home and told my mom what we had done and accomplished and her being a nurse, teacher, and mom; she flew off the handle making me strip down for an evaluation. My ribs were sore and it hurt on the inhale which was emergency worthy for her. You know my mom doesn't back down from anything, and neither do I. So I finally agreed to go to urgent care so she would stop annoying me about it. I checked out just fine with just bruised ribs and got some pretty hefty vitamins that made my moms constant nagging about working around horses fade away, way away.
Getting home I noticed I had a fb message, from guess who? =) Now this is where Michael and I's story changes, he claims that as soon as he messaged me his number I texted him within 5 min. -__- I don't think I have to reiterate about the corn up my nose. And you know as girls we over analyze everything, including the proper response time to every text message. I'd say it was at LEAST an hour or more. And if I were you I'd believe me too.
We made plans for me to come by his house that night. I didn't tell him, but I had also made plans to meet up with one of my ex's. See: use, abuse, curb. (as often as I see fit). I went by and was immediately introduced to his mom (sweetest lady ever). And when I saw him he was sitting on the couch watching Jersey Shore lol, I just had to give him a hard time about that one. Then he had to say something that made me feel like giant asshole, "well I don't get to see this in Afghanistan, so catching up on it helps me catch up with normal life back here." (Foot in mouth) Then in walks his grandma, and first thing she says was "Michael how did you get a pretty girl over here, I'm too used to seeing ugly ones." hahaha and knowing her now that is something so typical for her to say. But anyone who calls me pretty is a friend of mine. We talked for about 10 min but I knew I had to go. I didn't know how to say bye, and honestly didn't want to but I mustered up the balls and said bye making plans for the next day "when I had more time". ;) We never stopped the constant texting since the moment we had each others number and that night and the next were no exception.
Day 3. Carisa calls me saying her and bf were going on a date asking if Michael and I wanted to join. So, this is also where Michael and I's story differs. He says he asked me out on our first date; Nope that was me. I don't wait around for someone to ask me what I want. If I want it, it's mine. He picked me up at my parents house (how sweet). Met my parents, and he is the first guy that shook my dads hand and my dad hasn't tried to break it. Seemed like a good sign. We went and had dinner and drinks then left to another bar for more drinks. I was at the bar ordering a pitcher of beer (I don't play) and he came up behind me making some smart ass comment. We had a battle of rude comments back and forth until he stopped me and asked to kiss me. (how effing sweet, I don't think anyone has ever ASKED) I tried to play like I didn't want to and he turned my face and bam it happened. You know how people say they see fireworks, get butterflies and whatnot? Nope didn't happen. BUT I did feel that kiss from my head to my toes. I was sold like a prostitute. But I also knew I had to leave the next day to Louisiana and he had to leave in 3 days back to Afghanistan for another 4 months. I wished I was a turtle and could hide in my shell so I didn't have to get caught up in feelings. But I couldn't so I just kept kissing him instead, problem solved ;)
Now I'm going to give you a list of things I did know because there was a lot I didn't. I knew those were the best three days of my life to that point. I knew I didn't want him to leave. I knew I didn't want to kiss anyone else. I knew telling him that I'd save myself for him for when he came home was what I wanted. And that's what I did.
He made me care about myself more than anyone had, I started going to Paul Mitchell in Jacksonville as soon as I came home. I finally felt smart enough, pretty enough, funny enough to do anything. He replaced the confidence that I allowed a bastard to rob from me.
I counted down the hours until I could talk to him even though we'd talk twice a day, once before he went to sleep and once when I would wake up before school. I would ridiculously prep for hours before we would skype (s/o to Brittany Bennett for telling me I looked fine a hundred times before I'd get up the guts to actually do it). The days, weeks, months felt like years. I missed him so much it literally hurt. And finally one day was the day. I drove to panama city freaking out the entire way thinking about every scenario that could happen, s/n NO man has ever made so nervous in my life. A call to Bianca as I was almost there and her wise words of "Calm the fuck down", finally did the trick.
As soon as I saw him whatever worry I had I couldn't remember anymore. It felt like it should have, like the comfort of home without being home. Ya know? That weekend was uhmazing. I cried like a baby leaving him to go back to Jacksonville. We'd see each other every weekend and talk/text non stop. But that separation still annoyed the both of us.
August 22, 2011 we found out we were pregnant =) January 24th, I moved to panama city to be with him as I was 7 months pregnant. And March 30th, 2012 when I was 9 months pregnant, we were married. Just he, I and Royce <3 A little less than a month later, April 27th, 2012 Royce was born. Easily the best day of our lives.
This first year has been nothing short of incredible. Yes there are times you wish they'd go play in the street but I catch myself saying all the time, "I thought I loved him then." He is my best friend, my everything. Watching him and Royce play is my favorite, and every time Royce says "dada" my heart feels like it's on fire. And that is where I'm gonna close the book on this love story and leave it as "to be continued." =)
have a good day and love the ones you're with
-Ari
At the club the first night we met (not sure who busted one and two are)
Us skyping while he was in Afghanistan =)
Our marriage certificate (check out that belly making a shadow)
The first time I fed Royce in the NICU <3
RIP Tito Sauceda <3
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