Let's rewind.
February 2013
After four-and-a-half years together, Austin and I break up.
Ouch.
March 2014
After ten months together, Matt and I break up.
Again?!
Since I've now been through two failed relationships in about a year, I thought to myself: "I don't want to be anyone's girlfriend. Being a girlfriend is difficult. I just want to date around."
April 2014
I started a Tinder profile and friend-requesting guys on Facebook who met the following criteria: 1. Cute; 2. Has a lot of mutual friends; 3. In the creative field. One of those guys was a cute filmmaker and photographer named Freddie Paull.
July 22, 2014
Who is this cute guy commenting on my post? I must know him.
After some Facebook creeping, I decided to message him.
I don't want to message him the standard "Hey how are you?" so I'm gonna find something interesting on his profile to message him about.
Music lover, photographer, likes the Beatles...knows American sign Language.
Now, I've studied sign language since I was ten years old, so I found this fascinating. So I dove in.
That conversation led to us meeting in person...
July 24, 2014On my way to meet Freddie for the first time, I got rear-ended, causing me to be late meeting him. I was fine, my car was fine, and I was back on the road within an hour. When I got to the Dubliner where I would also meet Autumn, Jon, and Noah, I was immediately greeted with a hug from a handsome man wearing a denim button-up shirt and speaking with a British charm: "Hey, are you ok?! How are you doing?"
I was then brought to their table where we drank, talked about our jobs and families, and got to knew each other, me and Freddie and all his friends.
After drinks and conversation, we went back to Freddie's house, where we listened to Metronomy and played Cards Against Humanity.
At about 3am, I mentioned that I had to leave and work the next morning (or, more like, in six hours).
After Freddie walked me to the door and gave me a hug, I got in my car and drove home while the sun began its rise to the new day.
I know I said I don't wanna be anyone's girlfriend, but if Freddie asked me to be his girlfriend, I'd say yes. I really like him, but I don't wanna mess things up with him like I have with guys in the past. I don't wanna lose this.
Since that day, we met up more and eventually started dating on August 3rd (Freddie's "Wanna date?" might be more creative than Austin's "Wanna be official?" back in high school).
In the past year, our relationship has seen many ups and downs:
I housed Freddie as bees burst through his ceiling.
He comforted me when my identity was stolen.
I helped Freddie not lose his mind during one of the most difficult music videos he's ever done.
He introduced me to some of the best friends I could ask for.
I helped Freddie feel better when he got heatstroke, got sick, and became hungover from drinking too much (especially at Halloween).
He helped me move from my apartment in Phoenix back to my parents house in Chandler.
I celebrated his birthday with him by going record store shopping and enjoying Welcome Diner.
He cared for me when I got too drunk to care for myself (especially at Thanksgiving).
I introduced him to Harrison Fjord and Speak Easy.
He brought me to his parents' cabin in Payson for New Year's Eve with a bunch of his (our) friends.
I got him backstage access to see Alabama Shakes.He bought me tickets to Eaux Claires music festival in Wisconsin.
I bought him concert tickets to see Tame Impala in Salt Lake City.
He held my hand as I went on my first real roller coaster with him.
I held his camera equipment as he switched lenses to get a better shot.
He let me sit in the middle seat.
I let him sit by the window.
He helped me through my depression.
I helped him through his depression.
We started a blog together. We celebrated holidays together. We watched the Grammys together. We said goodbye to friends who moved away together. We celebrated Record Store Day together. We went on trips together to Payson, Bisbee, Salt Lake City, and Eau Claire together.
We saw Foxy Shazam, Temples, Bombay Bicycle Club, St. Lucia, The Brothers Landreth, Alvvays, Israel Nash, Lily & Madeleine, Shannon Hayden, The Growlers, Dr. Dog, William Fitzsimmons, Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs, Hozier, Tame Impala, Active Child, Aerosmith, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, The National, The Staves,and many many more together.We laughed together. We cried together. We broke up and got back together. We sang harmonies together. We danced together. But, most importantly, we were together. For one whole year.
Happy Anniversary, Freddie.Thanks for letting me be your girlfriend. Here's to the next year.
