It was the first day of a long wedding weekend in Cancun. Only having been there for a few hours I saw Tom walking past the pools with something in his eye. No, it was not a shimmering light or love. It was ash from his cigarette. Once I noticed he was having some discomfort I quickly asked one of the girls to use their water bottle to flush out his eye. This alone spoke volumes to me because I never saw myself as a quick responding, nurturing type. What was different about this guy? Why did I so eagerly want to care for him? Well, he was beautiful and that would do it.

A few hours later I had a brief moment alone with him.

I asked: "So who are you here with? Your girlfriend, your wife?"

I thought knowing my luck, Alanis Morissette has foreshadowed "it's like meeting the man of your dreams.... and then meeting his beautiful wife."

He looked around then replied: "Who me? noooo way. I'm here alone."

My internal voice in celebration: "Yessssssss, it's go time"

We hung out as a group that first evening and Tom seemed to be a true gentleman. Mostly in part because he was so clueless to my flirting which made him all the sweeter. He escorted a lonely wedding guest to dinner so they would not be alone. He was very kind. My friend (the bride) even mentioned how sweet of a man he is.

Bright and early the next morning, I found Tom in a speedo and a nacho libre mask by the pools. The american flag speedo sparked a controversial conversation. I could not stop rolling my eyes. Once I saw him put on the nacho libre mask I thought okay this man doesn't take life too seriously. He is a risk taker and is here to have a good time. From this point on we were inseparable the rest of our trip in Cancun. We spent the days and nights talking about every topic of life. From family to religion to politics to morals and ethics to careers to music and how being kind is of the utmost importance to us. We really got to know each other a great deal during this short time. It was not until saying our goodbyes and my flight home that I realized wow I miss him.

The first weekend back I invited Tom to my sister and brother-in-laws engagement party where he met some of my family. Only one week later on September 30th I went up to Albany to visit him. It was the first night we said I love you. Only having been two weeks of knowing him some would say this was fast but we both felt we had held this in for far too long and we couldn't wait to just say it already. As most of you know by Thanksgiving, he was already moving in with me.

Finally, it seems I foreshadowed my own story. For little did I know at the pool that day when I asked if he was here with his wife - Yes, yes he was. And he was looking right at her.

This past year and a half have been some of the best times of my life. And it doesn't take the big expensive things to make life great. It really is the little things. That is one of the reasons Tom and I are so great together. We appreciate the little things in life. We cherish our bonds with friends and family over all things. We work hard but we do not take life so seriously. Life can be stressful and sad at times but we both have an optimistic outlook. We are best friends first. I love this journey we are on and I can't wait for us to write the rest of our story.