Dear Tiger,

My little tiger baby. You are the best. I am so lucky. It is unbelievable how we came together. I almost didn't come down to Portland for New Years 2014. My Dad was throwing a party and he was trying to guilt trip me into staying. But I wanted to go down and party with Alex. Best.
Decision.
Ever.
 Alex ended up puking. But I met you :)
And I thought you were pretty awesome. Really really awesome.
But it was on the fifth dinner date, I knew. Sitting at Avec, so nervous yet so joyful. Drinking my water. I just knew. I knew a journey was about to begin together...
It started with a note.
You then started calling me penguin. Penguino to be exact.
You told me I was brave. Brave to go after you. It was the nicest compliment I've ever received. But you were so brave too! You came out to visit me accross the country and straight into a winter vortex!
You even asked to come out earlier! I knew that must be a good sign ;) This is my best impression of the "oh! really?" face you do.
And the trip was perfect. I had so much fun. Comfortable. Safe. And I knew you were special. Perfect. Perfect for me. Forever.
But I was moving to Europe! Yikes!
So what's a guy to do???
Obviously ask if you'd like to meet my parents! On my Dad's 60th birthday! In a new city! Exactly one month after meeting! Oh, and by the way, six extra Aunt's and Uncle's will be there too!
And you said yes! You are so brave! So so brave! And adventurous! (And so beautiful!)
So I packed up all my stuff.
Leaving the note for last.
And got on an airplane. All flights from ORD to ABQ were cancelled that day. Except one. And you wished me good luck! My flight was the only one to get out! Your luck always does us the charm.
You met my Dad! In all his glory!
And you liked him! You welcomed all of my family! You told me it was an honor! Wow! What a thing to say! That made me so happy!
And they liked you too. Very much. These are my favorite two pictures of us together. That's you doing the "oh! really?" face in the second one. Notice I still have your purse on.
The weekend was perfect! You impressed me. You made me proud. I couldn't have imagined a classier, sweeter girl, than the girl you were. You were so great. You patiently helped my mom with the GPS! OMG! You are a keeper.
You wrote me the hottest, funniest thank you card. Ever. Seriously. AMAZING. Legendary. You dirty girl. I love it.
And you wrote "See you in HOLLAND!!!!" With FOUR exclamation points! You always show-up when you say you will. And even when you don't say you will, you still show up. Because that's how your Mom taught you. You are kind. You follow your word, you are sweet, and considerate and loving. So loving. And so beautiful. Like an angel.
Let's forever catch our dreams together. And write them down. And seek them. And live them. And be adventurous. Together. Never be lonely.
Let's always be kind and loving to each other and those we love. No religion. But everyone must believe in something, so we will believe in something together. We'll believe in us and our dream + 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 ... + infinity + forever. And angels.
I still can't believe how brave you have been. It takes a special girl to be so adventurous. To give me so much of yourself to me already under such vulnerable circumstances.
I wanted to give you a little something to look foward to. A taste of Amsterdam! A taste of what's to come! So I walked all around the city and took some pictures.
That's where I work. The World Trade Center. And this is my desk!
And this is one of the many date spots I have planned for us. Dinner at Chocolate.
There is chess in the square (I know you hate board games! but it's the only board game you must know! think of the children! it will make Liam smart someday!)
We will take notes at random shops looking for funky styles for our B&B!
Here is what a typical street will look like that we'll be walk down holding hands. There is a view of the canal from my bedroom.
And I can get you a work visa in two weeks! So there is no pressure. We can just enjoy this journey together at our own pace. Running towards something, together. Nothing can stop us.
It's been crazy good. You are a keeper. I like you babe.
I saw this sign at the very end of my walk. Fairy tales are coming true in Amsterdam!
Every dream is a journey. Enjoy it. <3
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Penguino ~ Feb 14th, 2014
P.S. I love it when you end a txt message with something cute, because it shows up perfectly at the top of the screen whenever I look at my txt message app. It was so cute, I took a screenshot.
P.P.S. I also love it when I wake up and have a bunch of txts from you. Or in this case, when listening to a song of ours, and you txt me 7 times :) I'll never let you go! But being apart does make me realize just how important you really are to me. So cute, I had to take a screenshot.
P.P.P.S. - I also love the faces you make.
P.P.P.P.S. - I sometimes just watch you sleep, to protect you.
P.P.P.P.P.S. - This is the smile you only make to me. It's the smile that makes me know how much you like me. The one I always see when I feel closest to you. It's so gorgeous. It's such a joyful, innocent, beautiful smile. You are so beautiful babe. Never stop smiling to me like this. Forever, xoxo