I really, really, REALLY can't believe it.

Our offer on the house got accepted today. SUCH good news. Especially 2 days before our first anniversary!

We only have one picture at the moment -

But I will add more as soon as I get them.

AH! :)

Taken May 22, 2011

Seagulls at the Oregon Coast!

A video that I never uploaded from our trip the Oregon coast. Lesson learned? Seagulls will do anything for food... Especially if the food happens to be Fig Newton bars!

July 2010 :

The Beauty of a Single Year.

If you would have asked me a year and one day ago what I thought the likelihood of finding true love online was, I would have answered with a laugh and said, "Slim to none!" and I would have been wrong. Austin and I met on February 24, 2009 on myspace, of all places - romantic, I know!

Right before I met him I had just about given up on guys and came to the conclusion that there was no such thing as a mutual, healthy relationship - I was not looking for a relationship in the least. Then one fateful night, Austin and I started talking casually (both of us were extremely bored on this particular night) and next thing I knew I was falling for a guy that lived 3000 miles away.

After six months of non-stop instant messaging, web camming, phone calls and texting I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I needed to meet him face-to-face. At the time, he was living in Colorado with his family so we decided that I would fly out around mid-August and spend 10-11 days with him. I am not the type of person who gets nervous easily but believe me when I tell you that when the plane landed in Colorado and I stood up, got off the plane and began walking through the airport I was so nervous that I could barely breathe. I was nervous because we had both been waiting so long for this moment and I was afraid that reality would never be able to live up to the expectations that we both had. For those of you that don't know, the airport in Denver is a city unto itself. I swear, you can walk for hours in one direction and still not reach the other side of the airport - it is absolutely absurd! Anyway, after getting slightly lost and asking a security guard for directions he informed me that I would have to take a little subway-like train to get to the baggage claim. I hopped on the train and held on the handle for dear life. I just kept thinking, "Breathe, Colleen... BREATHE! You're going to pass out if you don't start breathing." I forced myself to inhale and exhale slowly. Just as my heart rate was starting to slow, the train began to slow, as well, and I realized that meant that we were almost at the baggage claim which meant that I was seconds away from meeting Austin. You guessed it, my heart began pounding erratically once again. I saw him before he saw me (HA! I win.) and instantly my nervousness evaporated and lightheaded giddiness took it's place. I sprinted up to him and gave him a hug. I had really wanted to kiss him but I figured that my heartbeat was already so high that kissing him would only further progress the problem and I really didn't want to die from heart failure within the first five minutes of us meeting. I could not stop smiling, I remember my cheeks hurting so badly. We got my bags and we walked to his car and just sat there for a few minutes, trying to convince ourselves that this was really happening. It all felt so surreal, like a very vivid dream. One moment we were sitting and looking at each other and the next we we were leaning in for a kiss... the moment of truth. It was well worth the wait.

Right after the airport we went out to eat at Panera and then went back to his house and I got to meet his family. The next 10 days were filled with all sorts of adventures, conversations and experiences. Here is a few excerpts from a list titled "Things Worth Remembering" that I wrote when I had gotten home from Colorado:

 Slow dancing to the credits of PS. I love you. "Two-Turtles-Kissing" monument.
Sitting on the ground in the hallway of the movie theatre.  Laughing at the... interesting cast in Coraline.
Sleeping on the trampoline.
Skipping around Safeway.Laying in the grass watching the sun set.Listening to him play guitar.

Kissing at stop lights and around corners.

Making a cherry cake masterpiece.
Seeing how absolutely adorable he was as a child.
Falling asleep on his lap on long car rides. Populous
The wave pool at Elitch Gardens.
Writing on the table at DQ with an ice cream cone.
"Brady Bunch" - esque, chapstick kisses.

After a week and a half filled with amazing memories I boarded the plane back to Connecticut. I missed my family, of course, but I was so sad that I was leaving him... leaving him just didn't feel right. We promised each other that that would not be the last time that we saw each other and left with optimistic hopes for the future. After I got home we picked back up with our regular instant messaging, web camming, phone calls and texting schedule - it was torturous not to be with each other but we realized that if we ever wanted to have a future together that this was a necessary step towards that goal. Over the course of the next six months we discussed what we should do and decided that moving closer together permanently was what we both wanted. So in the beginning of January 2010 we both moved to Idaho.

It is mind-blowing to me that I have only known him for a year, in so many ways it feels like there has never been a time when I didn't know him. Things are still going incredibly and for that I am immeasurably grateful.  

Everything has happened so perfectly for us, the timing has been impeccable. My relationship with Austin over the past year has grown and evolved into such a strong friendship and an matchless love. I have learned that everything happens for a reason and that a single choice or moment in time can alter your life completely. I recognize how blessed I have been and I thank God everyday for bringing Austin into my life.

I love you, baby.

 

Introductions and other things of that nature!

"Find me here, speak To me. I want to feel you... I need to hear you. You are the light that's leading me to the place where I find peace again."
Everything by Lifehouse

Such a soothing song with absolutely beautiful lyrics, if you have not already had the pleasure of listening to that song I recommend you listen to it some time in the near future.

I am starting this blog in hopes that I will update regularly and have a written record of my life to look back on in the future. Life is so beautiful and full of new experiences and adventures, each fascinating in its own regard, that I would like to remember every single one of them. I will post about the places I visit, the things I experience, the people I meet and my plans for the future. This blog is more for personal growth than anything else but I would love to share my life's experiences with you and I would love for you to do the same - there is so much that we can learn from each other.

Oh, I should probably introduce myself! My name is Colleen, I am eighteen years old and am currently in college (my major, for now, is UNDECIDED!). I love to try new things, travel unusual places and learn anything and everything - the world and all of its intricacies captivates me. I would like to travel to Europe within the next few years and really take the time (a year or two, if possible) to submerge myself in the cultures, people and languages of each country. I enjoy watching plays, musicals and concerts - there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of a live performance. I lived in central Connecticut from the time I was born until last month. I moved to Idaho on January 5 and to say that I am thoroughly enjoying it so far would not do my experience here justice. Since I've moved to Idaho I've been living (MUCH) closer to my boyfriend, living on my own and going to college - all three things which I am extremely grateful for. My boyfriend, Austin, is so brilliant and such an incredible source of joy in my life... I'm sure I will mention him quite a bit in this blog :) My roommates' names are Julie and Tami and they are completely wonderful, I admire them both for being the women that they are.

Would anyone care to see a few pictures? Of course you would - pictures put faces with the names!


Austin and I!










The Roomies!


Julie(left), Tami(right)


Now that we're acquainted I think I'll wrap up this blog entry. Follow me if you feel like doing so and message or comment me if you'd like me to check out your blog and I will! Thank you so much for reading - it means a lot to me, I assure you. I think I will do a quick update of everything that has happened within the past month tomorrow so that we will be up-to-date with everything!

Goodnight ♥