Mike and Kaelah: Our Past, Present, and Future!

Someone on FormSpring asked me to make an entry about my relationship with Mike and how we got together, etc etc etc. Of course I rarely think I'd pass up the opportunity to gush over what a wonderful fella he is, but I hope the lack of excitement doesn't bore you! Okay... where to start...?

Mike and I grew up 45 minutes apart... he lived in the town over. I went to school with a boy named Alex who I was really good friends with until he moved away in 4th grade. Time flew by and I graduated high school, and then a mutual friend made me realize that Alex was in Columbia all along! We had reconnected a decade later and decided to hang out. He invited me to hang out with all of his guy friends and go to the skate park, etc. 


That's when this first photo was taken... This is the first picture Mike and I ever took together. We were in the back of the SUV riding to the skate park and we just said "hey! smile!" haha Really lame, I know. But at this time Mike and I were not dating, talking, or even interested in the other really. I always had so much fun hanging out with the boys and going to the park. I met so many awesome people. Well, Alex had developed a crush on me and I always liked him when I was younger, so when he did this elaborate, planned out thing and asked me to be his girlfriend, I couldn't say no. So we "dated" for all of about 6 days... and I say dated for lack of a better term because we never kissed, we never held hands, we never went on a date... He was very very clingy and needy and I just couldn't handle it. So I broke up with him. Mike and I had really been hitting it off as friends. I just thought he was adorable (he was 17 and I was 18). Mike asked Alex if it would be okay with him to maybe ask me out or something. Mike was an honest and loyal friend. Alex laughed and said "Sure, go for it. It's not like she'd ever like you anyway"... he was obviously mistaken. We started talking and texting pretty non-stop and before you know it, we were an "item." This was August 2006. 

circa September 2006

We were pretty inseparable for the handful of months that we dated. He was still a senior in high school so I'd always spend my Fridays and Saturdays hanging out with him before I had to go to work. Then I'd drive over to his house afterwards (2:30am) and we'd sit in his driveway and just talk. His dad was a bit strict back in the day so it didn't take long for him to start flicking the porch lights to make him come in. (The roles were totally reversed!) We dated for a few months and everything was fine, but I was never really "serious" about anything. I was 18 and I had just moved out on my own. While I never "partied" or "got wild", I didn't feel like I needed to be settled down. I ended up breaking up with Mike because I liked someone else. (Yes, Adam.) It's not that I liked Adam more by any means... but 3 months had come and gone and as bad as it sounds, I just felt the desire to move on. 

doesn't he look so young?! 

Mike and I attempted to stay friends for a while afterwards and everything was fine. We'd still hang out and be cool, but his feelings got in the way so we decided it was best to just cut ties. We both went on to date someone for three years. Mike's girlfriend hated me. And by hated I really mean hate. There was a lot of drama that happened in that whole thing that Mike wasn't even aware of (she came to my work in the mall and tried fighting me, harassed me, etc etc). It just wasn't a pretty picture. I wasn't even allowed to tell Mike Happy Birthday. Anyway, we didn't talk for quite some time, but I remember his 19th birthday rolled around and we spoke to each other for a few days. This caused drama on both ends so communication was lost again. Adam and I had our fair share of troubles and the same could be said for Mike and his girlfriend.

Fast forward a little while and Mike is a dad! Toby was born in December 2008 and while I had known he was going to be a dad, I wasn't aware for a considerable amount of time afterwards that this had actually happened. 

One random night in 2009 I had a Facebook friend request. In fact, I remember blogging about it and saying "An exboyfriend just friend requested me on Facebook. Let's see how this goes!" We had civilized and totally-legit conversations. "How are you? How have you been? Hows the family?" There was no flirting or anything. Now, let me make this very very clear here: I never stepped in on Mike's relationship with his ex. NEVER. They were already broken up (I don't know for how long) when I started hanging out with Mike. I am not a homewrecker, nor would I ever wish that upon my worst enemy. I know my place and I never once spoke to Mike in any way that could be deemed inappropriate while he was in a relationship. (I've got a nice little friend on here who likes to claim I waltzed in and broke up a family when I most certainly did not.) Anywhoo- I was studying for my Art History final and Mike wanted to hang out and chat. I almost didn't go... it would have been much smarter for me to stay at home and study, and I may have gotten an A instead of a B, but still... I put my book down and drove the 25 minutes to his house in West Nashville. This was the first time I had seen him in 3 years.

Conversation came with no effort. We caught up, we talked, he showed me so many pictures of Toby. It was magnificent. I stayed far too late when I had an exam at 8am, but I managed to hang out with him again the next day/night and the next and the next. Before you knew it, we were back together. It's as though my entire life had fallen into place with just a few visits. 

I distinctly remember saying to my mom and friends "I've been happier the past three days than I was the entire three years I was with Adam" and that was the truth. Not a single day has gone by that I don't thank my lucky stars for this wonderful person I am able to share my life with. Or people, I should say, as Toby has brought me so much happiness! 

We spent practically every single day and night together from the moment we started dating and the day after Christmas, Mike moved in. (Quick, right?). He sold his house in Nashville and we've been living together ever since! 

I can safely say that I 100% believe in fate running it's course and things that are meant to work out WILL! I'm so grateful that our paths crossed again and I'm so glad I acted completely out of character by forgoing my intense cram-session to catch up with him. Since December, we've found a new home, traveled, lost everything, gained so much more... I can't imagine my life without him.

It's weird to say that we've only been together 9 months this time around, because it definitely feels like so much longer. I definitely wouldn't suggest moving in with someone on the first day you start dating them, but we have a history and you can't deny what feels perfect. I feel blessed to be in such a healthy relationship with such a supportive person. He truly is my Prince Charming.


I wish I had more photos to go along with this post as it's about seventeen miles long, but we never really took many back in the day. But either way, I'm sure we'll have millions to take in the future! 

So that's our story! It's not all that exciting and it may sound a bit weird or cheesy or just plain dumb... but I'm happier than I've ever been! 

SOOOOO What's YOUR story? Have you blogged it? (Link me over!) or just tell me about your significant other! How long have you been together? How did you meet? (I love learning about y'all!)

40 comments:

  1. I love reading about how couples have met. Your story touches me because you & mike spent time apart and are back together again, just like cade & I. I think it really does go to show that if you love someone and let them go, they'll come back into your life if it's truly meant to be. I wrote a blog entry about us last year if you wanna read it :). It's here: http://countrymouseem.blogspot.com/2009/09/love.html

    PS- I love the snow picture!!!

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  2. I love this so much! it's so cute :D

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  3. this post was wonderful.
    you two are so cute.
    i am so glad for you both. love is a amazing thing.<3
    (i love your brown hair..BEAUTIFUL!)

    i will have to make a post about the husband and i.
    it is way to long to write a comment about it. :)

    have a great labor day love..


    xoox

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  4. This is such a awesome story. :) I love it. I love reading these, and maybe one day I'll make my own. For now though, i feel like i'm too young to make one(if that makes any sense). I've been with my boyfriend for almost 2 years now, and we've been off and on for like 5 years.. wow. That actually might be an interesting story. :P haha

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  5. Great post! I love hearing about couples too. I blogged about how my husband and I got together about a year ago and here's the link: Plus, it has pictures of my husband pre and post- Marines. Definitely a huge difference! http://myinnervoiceyelling.blogspot.com/2009/09/did-i-mention-i-love-my-husband.html

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  6. What a great story!! I blogged about my relationship with my hubby last month. I made a little movie with all of our pics on it, its super fun and easy to do! Here is a link to it:

    http://ebenlemon.blogspot.com/2010/08/our-anniversaries.html

    -Emma

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  7. Such a nice couple, you guys look really cute together.
    I can relate to the feeling of how things feel right with that special someone, thats how I feel with my dear someone

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  8. Awesome story!! You're right, you can't deny what feels right :)
    My story is very very similar, minus the hating part *whew!*
    I dated my boyfriend in high school, then married someone else almost directly after highschool. That didn't work out and I dated a few guys in the next few years. Till.. the wonder that is facebook had reconnected us. We hung out just as friends a few times, and then he liked me again, but I didn't like him. I dated one more guy very very briefly. Then all these feelings just burst to the surface and I was so scared that I had lost my second and final chance. But I hadn't! Now we've been back together for 1 and a half years and are sharing an apt (a first for him!)
    All I have to say is - There's a reason why you're here, and there's a reason why it's now!

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  9. You guys are adorable!! I think we've talked about how our stories are similar before, but here's chris and my story:
    http://susannahbean.blogspot.com/2010/02/lovey.html

    xoxo,
    susannahbean

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  10. It's amazing how many people have stories just like yours, lost love found again. This was beautiful to read and you guys are sooo cute together!!!

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  11. you look like you've always been together ( i think i've said that before on here) and now i know why! cause you were meant to be!

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  12. Your story really made me smile, its reassuring to know that we all didnt necessarily get together with our current bfs in a totally conventional way! My bf of 2 years was with his ex when we started talking, and you can imagine the shit I got but it was genuinely just friendship. Nothing happened, or in terms of talking no lines were crossed until he'd been single for a while. And all this time later were still together :) when you know in your heart that its meant to be, thats the only faith you need! xx

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  13. I love that you were so honest in this post Kaelah! Here is the "Zach and Ashley" story...

    http://underthoseneonlights.blogspot.com/2010/06/zachary.html

    I left all the drama out of it though, and believe me there was tons of it!

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  14. You and Mike so cute! I've been trying to write how I met my OH and its a challenge - 7 years of on and off and best friend-ness

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  15. Aw, what a great post! It's neat to get some back story, since I only started reading your blog a couple of months ago. If you're interested, me and my fiancé's story is on our wedding website here: http://danielandmayde.com/ourstory.html (no stalking, please!)

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  16. i always said your relationship with mike gave me hope for my future relationships, because i had a horrible one prior. lets just say, a friend from six years ago is now my price charming as well, and ive never been happier.

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  17. I love your story, it's so sweet, you were obviously ment to be! It seems like you've been together forever when I read about the two of you so that's lovely. I've been with my other half for nearly 5 and a half years now and we had to go over many hurdles to be together at the beginning. He was in my tutorial class at uni :)

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  18. that's an amazing story.
    M & I met via Match.com and have been together for 3.5 years now...you've inspired me with this post to maybe write up our backstory!

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  19. this really is adorable and i just had to make my own post like this.
    http://strictlysteph.blogspot.com/2010/09/mike-and-steph-story-of-us.html

    seriously i wish you two nothing but happiness.

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  20. You guys are perfect together!

    My fella and I were just married this past weekend, and I posted how we met back in July... the anniversary of our first date. Worth a read....


    http://shawnadammit.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-best-birthday-gift-ever.html


    PS I am in Nashville area, too!

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  21. thanks so much for sharing! I discovered your blog a wee bit ago and have mostly been a lurker. I blogged about my relationship with my former partner on my blog and then went on to document some of our breakup as well. I admire bloggers who are able to share their relationships and personal lives so openly on their blogs - I'm feeling pretty certain that in the future I'll probably be a bit more guarded with sharing that stuff since it was so rough to blog about the separation, even in the abstract. Even so, it's really nice to find happy endings and see that things that are meant to be work out :).

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  22. Not to sound creepy, but you're soooo gorgeous when you smile! I say this because in most of your pics you don't show your teeth when you smile...but you totally should :))

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  23. I did my couple story already. haha! but that's so odd. we are like SO alike that it's freaky. I met Andrew in 2006 AT A SKATEPARK (my family owned one) and dated him August 2006. that's soooo crazy!!!!!! :D but anyways, I really do hope you guys work it out and stay i love and together. relationships now days are sooo tough and for a while the thought of love made me absolutely sick to even think about. After reading this..it makes me want to fall in love all over again. Now I have hope that someday I will :)


    xo
    lyndsey

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  24. Kaelah, Thanks for sharing your story!! It was so adorable! I don't have a story yet but everyday I'm writing it. And reading your story really gives me faith in my own situation.
    Love your blog btw! Just randomly bumped into it and so grateful that I did. :)

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  25. Gosh, I love your blog. And I have posted a story about me and my guy. We're new, but sometimes when you know, you just know, right?

    http://tindakeelie.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-hello-there.html

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  26. Hey Kaelah :)
    Loved your post! I really understand what you mean about having history - my husband and I dated for a year in 2005 and then broke up - lots of issues but the fact that we lived 5000 miles away from each other (I'm British and he's American) really made it hard. But then we reconnected in 2008 and are now married!
    I wrote a little post about it, not really details but how grateful I am for God giving him back to me...
    http://lucydearest-lucy.blogspot.com/

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  27. I have a question. Is Toby's mom the one who hated you and cause so much drama? I only ask because I am a stepmom and have had lots of drama with my stepdaughter's mom. Oh the drama.

    How do you guys handle it?

    And ps. your story is adorable and you guys are super cute together.

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  28. Awe, its so totally cute. I love all the pictures of the both of you. I especially like the last one that you shared with us!! :) You were such a cute teen too (the first picture)!!

    I blogged about how my husband and I MET http://right-here--right-now.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-dreams-have-been-answered-long-story.html

    I would love for you to stop by! :)

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  29. It's not cheesy or anything, I love it. Love stories are always the best. I'd share our whole story right now but goodness gracious that would take me all night :) But I shall link you too it once I do right it.

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  30. Is not cheesy at all, it's really really cute! My boyfriend's name is Mike too and we met working at a shortfilm that actually never came through. But I like to think "our love" will, we've been together for almost two years and broke up once, but here we are and I've never been happier, so I believe your story is not cheesy at all! :)

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  31. Just found your blog (via moorea seal) and love it! I found this story in your about section - I'm a BIG fan of the "friends first" method. I think you need a foundation to build a relationship on and that's what friendship is.

    Off to add you to my google reader and follow you on twitter!

    I've known my husband since first grade! (http://www.loveeverydaylife.com/p/from-1st-grade-to-forever.html)

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  32. You two are so cute! I hope his ex doesn't cause any drama with his son or anything (I've heard of crazy ex's who try to keep their kids away from the dads when they're mad, who does that?). Here is the story of how Jake and I met, in the world of Warcraft. haha. We moved in together really quickly too. We only visited each other a few times before I moved 17 hours away from where I was living to be with him. Oh love.
    http://www.trailergypsy.net/2011/02/story-of-how-we-met.html

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  33. I just finally clicked and read this, and holy moly are you two adorable! I love it! And all the old pictures are just darling. I love reading other peoples' love stories.

    I made a page about our story just so I could have it somewhere I could easily access...

    http://tomakelovestay.blogspot.com/p/our-story.html

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  34. I think we have one true love in life and we never forget it... I live with mine, and after years hunting men and hope the good one it's through web we begin our story... It was a strange day when we met for the first time ...and we stay together. I know he's the only one who could accepst me and my life...

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  35. No story is cheesy when it's apparent that the love is present. I really enjoyed reading your story (:

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  36. This is so sweet. I've followed your blog for quite some time and never knew this about you and Mike! I'm happy for you. It's so great when things can fall back together again after such a long time.

    I came out of a 6 year relationship last January and met my new guy ONLINE of all places. We Skyped for a month before ever meeting in person. I blogged about it if you're interested!

    http://little-tranquility.blogspot.com/2011/06/story-of-how-i-found-love-on-internet.html

    He's the best and I've never been happier. :)

    xoxo

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  37. hey k, i just linked up to this post from your most recent somehow, and i had never read the story of you and mike before. i love it!

    here is mine... http://deerdonna.blogspot.com.au/p/love-story.html

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB