I met JD when I was a freshman in high school in marching band.  I was a flute and he was a clarinet.  For some reason, in marching formation, for some reason I was the only flute put with the clarinets.  Little did I know it would change my life forever.

I remember the first time I saw him. I was sweating my ass off on the hot asphalt, dreading this stupid thing called marching band in the Texas heat when I looked to my left and saw him.  He was playing with a wire hanger when another band member, who thought he was high and mighty, ripped the hanger right out of his hand.  I thought for sure this big, long haired, punk looking guy was gonna kick the crap out of the other guy, but instead he just looked at him for a second and busted out laughing.  I knew right then that he was something special.  My first thought was, “I have to have that kid.”

After that I found out that he would be sitting right behind me at all the football games.  I learned his name and that he was a sophomore.  I thought for sure he wouldn’t give me, a little mousey freshman the time of day.  He was gorgeous.  Hair down to the middle of his back, his VANS shoes and his bouncy walk.  His giant sideburns and perfect smile.

Finally, after weeks of giggling when he walked by and gushing to my best friend about him so much that she was ready to strangle me I decided to do the grown up thing - write him a note!  I spilled my guts in such an elegant way, telling him I thought he was “hot” and that I hoped he’d give me a call.  I gave it to the girl who sat next to him in band and crossed my fingers.

That day I came home from school to a “Joe ______” on my caller ID and started screaming like I won the lottery, ‘cause I kinda did.  (But I didn’t know that at the time.)  Needlesstosay, we started talking on the phone every day, all the time until we finally became a couple on October 26, 1999.

Since then, we’ve had ups and downs, two years of long distance, and a lifetime of memories.  He has been the light at the end of my tunnel and more than I can even express.  Not only is he my lover and my partner, he is my best friend.  I’m in love with my best friend.  It can’t get any better than that.