Stories of how single people meet other single people and eventually become couples are some of the most memorable, as well as what most movies portray these days. A good number of these stories, though, sound as though they were only dreams, and not actual reality somebody had legitimately gone through. There's the classic Noah and Allie summer romance from The Notebook, or maybe even the friend-zone-turned-marriage Forrest Gump and Jenny story. Other stories can be so simple as sprouting from a one-night stand, and you actually enjoyed this person's company a little more than you're used to. Every couple has a story of how they became that couple. Well, I don't think any director has made a movie (yet) about the story of how me and Ms. Ashley Dawn Reyburn met, so this might be the only way anybody can hear this narrative. You are all welcome, in advance.
In order for me to properly tell this story, I'm going to have to take you back to when we first laid eyes on each other. This tale starts at the beginning of last semester, during a callback for one of the shows in the Studio Show lineup. This had been my very first audition, let alone callback, of my college career, so I was already sweating bullets before stepping into Simpkins 001. This callback had been for a significantly small cast, so we were split up into groups of 4. This ensured that each part was covered for each potential new cast member. I stood there rehearsing the scene given to the group, having close to no idea as to what was going on in the entire show. Lucky for me though, there was a dime put in my group. This actually made rehearsing and reading over my lines much harder, because I had absolutely no interest in messing anything up in front of this gal. I was really giving the college try at thinking of something pleasant to say. "Hi, you're gorgeous, and can I take you out?" Good God, no...what if she had pepper spray on her? Keeping this fear in the back of my head, I ended up just giving her the basic greeting when all of the group members had introduced themselves. I carried a discussion that only had to with the show, and absolutely nothing else. We finally performed the scene, and just went our separate ways. In order for me to completely and efficiently tell you how I felt leaving that room, I'm going to make a (hopefully) common reference to the show Friends. Remember the one when Chandler was stuck inside of an ATM Vestibule with Jill Goodacre?
Just in case you either forgot or haven't seen this episode, (you're definitely missing out by the way) here is just a summary of the episode with pictures. Yeah, I was absolutely stuck, except I didn't get anything before Ashley left. Not even a number, so I took that L with a walk of shame back to my dorm in Thompson. Six weeks go by, and I'm at one of my school's theatre performances, and who shows up the same night I chose to go with my Associate Class of Pi Kappa Phi? Nobody other than the Jill Goodacre of my life. This time though, I only recognized her from callbacks, but no words were spoken. At least I wasn't given the chance to make myself look like a complete fool. A few more weeks pass by, and I'm sitting in my room getting ready to work out. I was texting my best friend, telling her we should go to the dining hall and get dinner! She responded with the idea of going to Chick's, and I told her I wanted to burn some of my meal plan off since it was the middle of the semester. She told me her "cute and fun" Rocky Buddy was going with her. I then agreed to go, and forgot who her Rocky Buddy was. Turns out this Rocky Buddy was Ashley, yet again. As I walked up to the front window of Chick's, this realization completely came to me, and I found myself blank of any productive thoughts. I walked in, and still to this day, I am immensely thankful for her ability to carry a conversation. I'm sure you've seen the rest of our history together through all types of social media. Now that the sappy story is out of the way, (partially kidding) I have to thank this unbelievable woman for so many things.
You push me to be the absolute best person I can ever be. You're the one who keeps me sane, even while I'm running all over campus going to practices, class, meetings, or even a casual workout. I know for a fact that I would not be where I am in life today if I hadn't let you inside. You are my daily motivation while I'm at school. My family simply can't ever get enough of you, and you haven't even met the rest of my entire family. You're always my #1 cheerleader, and I know I can always count on you being there. You're always there at the bar either getting lit with me, or making sure I don't pass out right then and there, depending on the night of course. You threw me the absolute greatest 21st birthday party I could have ever dreamed of. From 12:19am until me singing (I think) the Star Spangled Banner, (kinda) you were always right by my side. You are my person, Ashley Dawn Reyburn, and you're the drug I yearn to be addicted to. Here you are sitting right next to me on this train ride back to see my family, and I keep glancing at you, simply wondering how I got so lucky to have you in my life the way I do. Every little imperfection you believe you have just makes you much more amazing to me. Happy (early) 6 months on October 7th, and here's to so many more with you. I love you, Ashley Dawn Reyburn, and you have my heart.
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