After dealing with several 'almosts,' I honestly didn’t think I would end up in a relationship while still in college. Now that I am in a relationship, being with you feels like a dream and you already know that, so it’s not like I’m saying anything new.

However, one thing I’ve learned about thus far is the gift of company. I used to dream of fancy dates and flowers and spontaneous adventures, and even though I am getting a lot of that, much to my surprise, I didn’t fully realize the comfort in just spending quality time with one another.

It doesn’t matter where we are, whether it’s a stroll in the park, sitting side-by-side in our favorite coffee shop, dancing and singing along at a concert, going out to dinner, trying new foods together; every time we’re together feels like a new adventure. I don’t need something crazy or fancy, I have fun with you wherever I go and that in itself is more than I ever could have asked for. Just seeing you smile and laugh and blush makes my day, whether we’re simply having coffee together or holding hands as we walk to the train.

Maybe it’s the hopeless romantic coming back to me, but in my very first Odyssey article, nearly a year and a half ago, I said that I was looking for my Prince Charming and wanted to be wooed. Well, once I was finally done searching, you kind of found me, making funny faces in a coffee shop. I was my unapologetic self upon meeting you and I never could have thought we’d be where we are now.

Your company brings me comfort and happiness and it’s been quite the gift. It feels like such a cliché that you make me feel so lucky when life is such a roller coaster of chances and opportunities. As I get on the train, I smile at our mushy long goodbyes, and how I can’t wait to see you again. I giggle and blush as you flatter me with compliments and kisses. Your charm might’ve won me over, but you are so full of personality, too; you’re much more than the fantasy Prince Charming I once dreamed about. We always learn something new about each other and are full of surprises. We’re very different, but the way we connected the first time we spoke for hours and shared countless laughs together and simply enjoyed each other’s company was truly rare. It’s an indescribable feeling and I get it every time I’m with you, like luck was finally in my favor.

I know we haven’t known each other for long, but many more adventures await and there’s plenty more memories to be made. I’m beyond glad that I got to meet you and get to be in a rom-com cliché relationship with you, full of romance and long exchanges. Thank you for being so much more than I could’ve imagined. Happy Anniversary, my sweetheart.

XOXO,

Stephanie