The last few months have been nothing short of insane. Let’s all flash back to January. I was struggling with the major life changes I had made a few months before, adjusting to a new job, trying to get used to living alone and getting back to my normal life when someone special popped into my life. This is B. Isn’t he just the cutest?!
B is a family friend (more like distant acquaintance, we literally never talked growing up but you get the point) who contacted me out of the blue to see how I was doing. This spurred many texts, lots of snapchats and eventually four hour long Skype dates.
B is in the US Marine Corps and he’s currently stationed out in Okinawa, Japan. After only a week of chit chatting he popped the question…not that question, lord help me NOT THAT question. He said “hey, you should come visit me here in Japan!” and I said “YES!” So the planning began and along the way we became closer and closer until we became official on one cozy February morning, B is mine.
More planning and more planning until April 4th when I boarded a plane and jetted off to Tokyo and then hopped down to Naha, Okinawa to meet my man…for the first time. That first hug was my favorite moment of the whole trip and just being in the same country, the same airport, the same time zone with him was so special. But, we still had TWO WHOLE WEEKS together. So our adventure began…
After a week of shenanigans in Okinawa we flew up to Tokyo for one more week of sightseeing, beer drinking, sushi, beer drinking and beer drinking.
How many people can say that their first date included a two week vacation in a foreign country? Although it was so difficult to leave, I can’t wait until we can be together again. For now, let the long distance begin!
I have magical memories of just about every street corner of your downtown. Nights out with past loves, nights out with the family, nights out with new friends and old besties. Nights of delicious food and too many delicious drinks. That night on New Year’s Eve when I raced through your streets to meet someone special. The night Mom and I made it into The Safehouse with the secret password. The night Elaine and I searched and searched for a well hidden speakeasy. That birthday ghost tour at Shaker’s Cigar Bar. That night I got sloshed on Dark & Stormy’s at Blue Jacket. Numerous amazing concerts. The shalaylees at Mo’s Irish Pub. All those nights of single slice pizza on Old World Third Street and Bloody Marys’ on Broadway. The oysters at the Milwaukee Public Market, cheap beer at Duke’s and gourmet dinners at Morel. Even those hellish years up the freeway in nursing school, Milwaukee, you were always there. Glittering at night and reflecting that beauty in Lake Michigan.
You’re so great and I appreciate all those good times and even those not so good times. Milwaukee, I look forward to our future. I’m sure we have many more nights of laughter, smiles, dancing, food, drinks, shenanigans and wonder ahead of us. Stay golden, I’ll see you soon.
That’s right folks! Vin’s brother then popped the question the very next day in the middle of a river. They’re canoeing freaks. Of course, she said yes.
OKarleigh 