everyone has their own fairytale, their own love story, their own dream. this is a love story, this is a dream. i'm in love with a boy who makes my head spin and my heart pound. this is how i want my life to be, with him by my side for the entire ride.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Under the Stars

I fell back onto the grass with a sigh of contentment. The weather was nice, not too cold and not to hot, symbolizing that those summer nights were coming to an end. The sky was a mix of blue and gray; almost black, the sun had just set half an hour ago. I looked up at the sky and searched for stars, but there was none out yet. I heard a plop on the grass next to me. I turned my head to the left and right into Andrew's eyes, which looked gray instead of blue, and smiled.

"I've always wanted to lay under the stars with you." I said to him, as I smiled. He returned the smile and said;

"Me too pumpkin." The only problem? There was no stars out yet. Right on cue as I thought that;

"Look! The first star!"I exclaimed as I pointed directly upwards to the sky.

"Make a wish." Andrew said, with a smile.

"I don't know what to wish for. . ."

"I do." He said, looking into my eyes with a romantic smile.

We both turned to each other and stared into each other's eyes for what felt like eternity; just Andrew and I.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Bermuda Baby!

7 years from now..
(Me and Andrew - 22)

Bermuda. The perfect spot for a honeymoon. There was privacy, a beach, and of course warm weather. Perfect and romantic. And as Andrew put it, if it had some nice wine, it was perfect. And it did.

We spent most of our first day there, the day after the wedding, drinking wine, tanning on the beach, swimming and enjoying the first day as a married couple. It was like a dream come true.

"This is so perfect. God blessed us so much." I said sighing and laying back in my lounging chair, putting on my big shades and smiling. I never wanted to leave this place.

"He sure did baby girl. I told you we would make it this far. This is only the beginning of our lives together." I couldn't help but smile a huge idiotic grin at this. I lifted up my sunglasses and leaned over and kissed his lips and pulled away, still smiling.

As the day was ending, Andrew and I decided we would walk on the beach, our toes in the sand around sunset and just enjoy the romantic view. We were holding hands and with our empty hand, holding our flip flops, well sandals in his case.

"This is so romantic. Andrew, you made my fairytale come true. I've always dreamed of this but never thought I would ever experience it, like I wasn't good enough or something."

"Baby, you deserve more then this. You deserve more then the world. I was made to give you your fairytale, that's why God put me on this earth. I will always make your dreams come true if you just let me, okay?" He said softly as he tightened his grip on my hand. My hair was flowing in the wind perfectly, as I tucked some behind my ear still keeping my gaze on the sand as we walked hand in hand. Ahh.

As the sun started setting we kept walking until we hit the spot where it looked like the sun directly was. As it disappeared beneath the horizon, I wrapped my arms around Andrew's neck and he placed his hands on my hips as he pulled me in for a passionate kiss under the sunset, with me lifting my leg like they do in those romantic movies. This was perfect. Finally, my own love story, my own fairytale.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Christmas Time Is For Love Part 3

(Sam, Andrew and Dan - 22. Deanna -23. Evan and Renee -20).

DEANNA
Christmas dinner with the entire family. Oh, goodness.

It was weird thinking how 10 years ago we could have never imagined all of us being one big. big family. I smiled and looked at Dan who was in conversation with my dad. This was far to amazing and imperfect, I loved it.

We ate a dinner of turkey, stuffing, mash potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and all the other fixings. Mr. Bellerose had his third glass of wine, and Mr. Rayder was in an even worse mood except for when he was talking to Renee. Sam looked nervous and Evan looked awkward. My dad was eating as if there was no tomorrow, Dan kept smiling at me, and my mom was in deep conversation with Mrs. Bellerose.

Ahhh, Christmas. The only people missing was Tyler!
Ding-dong.
Woah...
"I'll get that," I said getting up and getting the door.

To speak of the devil. It was Tyler.

"BLACK LIGHT!" I screamed giving him a massive hug.

"Haha, hey Dee."

Sam, Dan, and Andrew all jumped up causing a ruckus at the table to run over and attack Tyler with hugs.
Now it was Christmas.

SAM

When I ran over to Tyler, I think I managed to knock over Mr. Rayder's plate causing him to yell the D word very loudly. Oops.

Tyler joined us at the table, it was the Rayder/Geissler clan at one end, the Bellerose/Arbogast clan at the other end and Tyler right in the middle of Mr. Rayder and Mr. Bellerose. Bless his soul. Dinner went on, arguements coming here and there between the bald man and me, and Mr. Bellerose rambling on about Kari and how she was probably off to no good with some dude and Mrs. Bellerose yelling at him. Renee got up and gave Tyler his shirt which read; "My heart is as black as my skin." He choked on his food when he read it, Renee saving him. After dinner, Mrs. Rayder pulled me aside to chat with me, this was either going to be extremely good or extremely bad. Better her than the Mister.

"Hey, sorry about my husband's obnoxious behavior. I still haven't figured out why he doesn't like you." She said, trying to seem sympathetic. It only made me feel worse, considering I somehow got him mad enough that he got immature and threw a glass of punch on me, Andrew flipping out and Evan laughing. Mrs. Rayder shook her head in disgust and Mr. Bellerose laughing so hard he fell out of his chair, making Renee yell "EARTHQUAKE!" She was mean..but it was funny. Now if Evan and Renee got married, these family dinners would become a routine.

"Oh, it's alright. I've gotten use to it by now." I replied trying to wash off the punch on my shirt, the worst part was my shirt was white...well now it looked red.

"No it's not, it's not fair. I keep trying to tell him to not judge and accept you and forgive you like God does to us but he just shakes it off."

"Nothing we can do I guess. I'm just glad you don't hate me." I replied, sighing. This shirt was going in the trash, which meant I HAD to wear the shirt Renee made me, no exceptions.

"I've liked you since your phone call. It showed you had a big heart and good morals." I smiled, thank you Kari for the idea. We hugged and then the families left, leaving just Andrew, Dan, Deanna and I. I was now in my pajamas wrapped up in a blanket by the fire, sipping some hot chocolate.

"Pumpkin, I have something for you." I looked up at him, with a small smile. I had tears in my eyes though. "What's wrong? Don't cry. You're not pregnant right?" I laughed at this.

"No, I'm not pregnant." He sighed. "Just thinking of what happened with your dad is all, you know, him throwing the punch on me at the table." A tear rolled down my cheek. "All I ever wanted was acceptance."

"I know babe and I haven't spoken to him since. Let God take care of it. You've done the best you can." He rubbed my back and wrapped the blanket around us both, some box still in his hand.

"I know but it just sucks." I shrugged. He wiped my tear away and kissed my cheek as he handed me the box. Inside was a golden locket with our picture inside. It was shiny, new and beautiful. "Aww babe, you shouldn't have." I said giving him a big hug and having him put it on around my neck.

Despite all of the craziness of Christmas, this was one of the most epic Christmases ever and I would surely never forget it.

DEANNA

"Guys, me and Dan have something to tell you," I announced. "We're getting married!!!"

---written by Deanna, Renee and me :)

Christmas Time Is For Love Part 2

(Sam, Andrew, and Dan - 22. Deanna - 23. Renee and Evan - 20.)

SAM

"Merry Christmas baby girl." Andrew whispered in my ear, I flinched a little. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"Hey, Merry Christmas to you too babe." I got up at of bed and opened the blinds, there was at least two feet of snow on the ground, more still falling. Maybe we would stay a few extra days...

I looked in the mirror, and shrugged. I just fixed my hair a bit and threw on my glasses. I didn't really care what I looked like but it was just Andrew, Dan and Deanna. I was comfortable with how I looked around them. Andrew came up behind me and hugged me from behind, kissing my cheek. He looked in the mirror at our reflection and smiled.

"Our first Christmas together." Oh my gosh, how did I forget that!? I hoped my gift was good enough for him...well all seven of them. We walked downstairs, hand in hand to see Dan and Deanna already sitting down by the tree waiting for us. Deanna drinking her black coffee.

"I need some coffee!" Andrew said as he let go of my hand and ran over to the kitchen. "Woah! Natalie..Christian!? How did you get here!?" My jaw dropped.

"NATALIE AND CHRISTIAN ARE HERE!??" Deanna and I yelled, looking at each other like oh my goodness, our life is over.

"Sorry..." Dan quietly spoke. "I may have let them in..."

"What?!" Deanna exclaimed.

"What? Nevermind, I have to go."

"Stop it," Deanna playfully slapped Dan's hand.

I just stood on the stairs and laughed. Andrew ran off to go get coffee like a little child, Deanna and Dan were flirting..awkwardly and my sister in law who was a diva and her hawaiian boyfriend were in the kitchen doing who knows what. This Christmas was definitely going to be one full of surprises..and unforgettable ones at that.

DAN

Deanna looked beautiful... my fiance! Wow it was great to say that! Andrew was in deep conversation with Christian about Santa, Sam was enjoying talking to Natalie (not).

That's when the doorbell rang and my dad and mom followed by Lindsay and Deanna's parents came in.

"Woah!!! Mom, dad?" Deanna exclaimed jumping up and running to give all four parents hugs.

Sam ran over to give out hugs too.

"Did you invite them too?" Deanna asked smiling wide.

I shrugged with a smile. Of course I did.

The door opened again and the this time the Rayders came in.

"Holy Rayders!" Sam exclaimed and quickly covered her mouth realizing how loud she said that. Smooth. I still didn't get why she was still afraid of Tim.

"Ho, ho, ho!" My soon to be sister-in-law came in with a pile of presents. "It's santa! And her little elf Olonso!"

Evan came in after her with a frown on his face.

"Ew, Evan," Andrew said about his little brother.

This was gonna be an interesting Christmas...

SAM

Well I wasn't expecting my in laws to show up, considering how crappy I looked and how my father in law STILL hated me. Man, did he hold grudges. Oh well, I still thought he was a leprachaun. . .

I walked into the kitchen stopping right in my tracks. Mr. Rayder staring me down like he was ready to stab me with a steak knife, Mrs. Rayders smiling a compassionate smile, that was some what apologetic.

"Dad.." I said with a scowl.

"Don't call me dad, I'm still Mr. Rayder to you missy." Mrs. Rayder smacked him and shook her head. I just shrugged.

"HEY DAD!" Renee yelled.

"RENEE!" He walked over to her and instantly hugged her. She wasn't even related to the Rayders yet and he was more excited to see her then his daughter in law...Tim, Tim, Tim.

"Let me guess, you're still Mrs. Rayder to me too?" I asked my mother in law.

"No sweetie. You can call me mom." She gave me a hug. "Merry Christmas."

"PRESENTS TIME!!!" Evan yelled, throwing the bag down. "Hurry up, I want to get out of this elf costume." Complain, complain, complain.

ANDREW

We were sitting around the tree, my arm around Sam and my dad glaring at me. He still hated her, after five years of being together. You'd think he'd learn. .

"I got everyone t-shirts! Look, look, look!" Renee exclaimed, passing out each box to all of us. This would be good. I swear sometimes Evan picks the craziest girls...

I opened mine and just stared with confusion. "Naked mole rat?" I asked, looking up at Renee who laughed. Sam chuckled a bit then shut up when I gave her a look. Was this because of my shaved head? Short hair was so much cooler...and sexier.

I looked at Sam's shirt, which she seemed to love. It read Gin-ga! How original.

MR. RAYDER

I still didn't like her, I don't think I ever could. Renee on the other hand, she was a keeper. I opened my shirt next, it was a picture of someone hiding in a fake plant with binoculars, something I thought Sam use to do at church Bible studies to see Andrew...she probably still did it. My wife didn't think she did but she only liked her because she was a ginger, and because she had called her that one time..

My wife's shirt read; "I look down on my husband.", with two stick figures that somehow looked like us, just because she was taller than me. She thought it was funny, I didn't. Natalie's shirt read; "HO-HO-HO!" She didn't get the real meaning behind it but I did, and I actually kinda thought it was funny...I mean. .Christian's shirt said; "I'm NOT Asian!" Haha, classic.

Evan's shirt read; "I'm Micheal Jackson.:" With a picture of him next to Michael Jackson. This was why Renee was my favorite. Looking at all my kids shirts I wondered to myself, what a group. I then looked over at Andrew and Sam and saw how much "love" was in his eyes as they were talking and holding hands...gag. It made me wanna puke and punch something. . . the closest thing was my wife.

RENEE

My shirts were a hit, everyone was either laughing at them or glaring at me but the majority of them were laughing. I had the best shirt of them all; it had a black squirrel on it with a picture of Laurent on the back with a logo of TEAM LAURENT. I always wanted to be black, so Laurent was my hero.

My sister's shirt read; "I'm thinking of leaving my boyfriend for Harry Potter." Dan didn't like the shirt that much, mission accomplished. Dan's shirt read; "I'm the beauty and my girlfriend is the beast." Mr. Bellerose laughed so hard he peed his pants, already partly drunk off of wine. His shirt was; " This shirt will never fit me." It was three sizes too small, and he seemed to love it.

"I'll be lucky to get this on my arm!" He joked, but deep down he was probably crying.

Mrs. Bellerose's shirt said; "My peaches are delicious!" I didn't understand the meaning of it until Mr. Bellerose got really mad and Andrew was on the ground, laughing. Lindsay's shirt read; "My Guinea Pig's my only friend." She liked it, she agreed with it. My mom's shirt was; "Horses are more attractive then my husband." Dad didn't like that one very much but when he saw his he was as jolly as Santa Claus. His was; "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Mom didn't like that one so much. . .

Sam's mom's shirt read; "I party like a 21 year old." That made Mr. Rayder hate her more. Bob's was; "I work in a grocery store?" That was the best I could come up with, he left after he got the shirt to go see his son. Way to ditch old man.

I forced everyone to wear their shirts to dinner. I was evil.

SAM

After putting on the shirts, primping ourselves and chatting around a small fire, Mr. Bellerose was loopy off of wine saying some of the weirdest things ever. Mr. Rayder was still staring me down and the boys were playing guitar and discussing concert ideas and song ideas and what not. Tbis Christmas was already crazy and it was only 2pm.

"DINNER'S READY!" Deanna yelled, and I gulped. I knew how this was going to go, and it wasn't going to be good. My family and the Rayder's sitting together on one side..oh man.

My death sentence had been summoned.

---written by Deanna and Renee Arbogast and me :)

A Tour and An Engagement?

5 years from now. . .
(Me & Andrew - 20; Dan - 20; Deanna - 21; Tyler - 23; Eugene - 21)


"So are you excited to get to come with us on tour?" Andrew asked. The band he was in and had been in since high school; Saints of Tomorrow, finally had made it big enough to go on tour. Their first concert was tonight in MA, with some other bands and Ivie Andersen as the headliner. No one really cared for them but just the idea of going on tour was enough to make my head spin.

"Of course!" I replied with excitement as we walked through Forest Park, holding hands.

"There's just a few things we have to do before we head over to the bus tonight." He replied, he had this look on his face that meant he was up to something. Whether that was good or bad, I wasn't sure.

"Alright. Like what?"

"You'll see." We walked to the part of the park where there was arches, pretty white ones. It was a little romantic site and it was quiet, no annoying kids or people around to bug us. Another romantic part of it was that the leaves on the trees were different colors, it was like a perfect fall scene from a movie."So I wanted to talk to you about something.." He stopped in his tracks, now facing me and still holding my hand.

"Yeah?"

He reached into his pocket to get something and pulled out a black box. He did this a lot, and most of the time it was a necklace or a bracelet so when he pulled this box out, I wasn't excited and wasn't expecting anything more then a nice necklace to go with the billions of others I had in my jewelery box at home.

"Another necklace? What's the occasion this time babe?" I asked, not really getting into it as much as I should. I was use to it, Andrew spoiled me but I wasn't complaining. I was just tired of necklaces, I wanted a ring...an engagement ring.

"Nope." And he got down on one knee, with a smile and my jaw dropped. He opened the box propped it open and began to speak; "Samantha Jo Geissler, the past five years with you has been amazing and I am constantly amazed by all that you do and at how beautiful you are. I never understood the world, or emotions, or love but when you came into my life, I knew you were the one and I couldn't let you go. I want to make all of your dreams come true and I love you more then myself, I would do anything for you, heck I'd take a bullet for you. I've waited so long to do this so, Samantha Jo Geissler, will you marry me?"

All I could do was nod. He slipped the ring on my finger and picked me up and spun me around.

"And you thought it was a necklace.."

(Later on that night)

We got to the first arena after having shared the good news with our families and of course, the band. Everyone was pretty excited except Mr. Rayder and Evan but nothing ever made them happy so it didn't bug me at all. Tyler was a little jealous, him and Danielle had been engaged for almost two years and she wouldn't decide on a date and when he heard when our was, in two years he wasn't happy because Danielle wanted to wait another three and he wanted to be married before me.

The boys were pumped for their first show and while they were out there playing, Dan's girlfriend and my best friend Deanna were backstage discussing the wedding and all these plans and ideas for it. When their first two songs were finished, their agent came out and told me to get ready to go on stage. Confused and not exactly sure why, I just quickly got up and made sure I looked presentable. Hopefully I wouldn't make a fool of myself or attack the annoying girls I heard chanting Dan and Andrew's names and how much they loved them and asking them to marry them. Ha, pathetic.

"I'm Dan, the bassist to my left is Robert, the drummer behind us is Tyler, the guitarist on the far right is Eugene and the lead guitarist next to me on my right is Andrew." Screams roared through the stadium, chants about Eugene, Dan and Andrew filling the air, posters in the air and glow sticks all swaying back and forth. Then Dan spoke again; "Our guitarist Andrew, just got engaged today and we wanted to introduce you to his fiance, and one of our best friends and someone whose been supporting us since day one, meet Samantha, soon to be Samantha Rayder!" Was this planned? When I looked at Andrew's face I got my answer. It wasn't planned, he was as surprised as I was. I saw the screaming girls scowl and a picture of me and Andrew popped up on the screen, the same one they had taken earlier today with the engagement ring. Oh Daniel. . .

I went over and gave Andrew a hug and kissed him, the girls groaned and swore; I laughed. "Congratulations guys! They've been together for five years now, crazy right? I also want you guys to meet my girlfriend, Deanna!" More groans from the screaming girls and out came Deanna, who obviously knew she would be coming out.

A tour and an engagement, all in one night.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Christmas Time Is For Love Part 1

7 years...
(Andrew 22, Sam 22, Dan 22, Deanna 23)

SAM
It was Christmas Eve and the snow was lightly falling from the sky. It was beautiful and romantic at the same time. Andrew and I, who had been married for six months now were on our way to Boston to meet up at Dan and Deanna's loft apartment. The two of them were a steady couple for about seven years and like Andrew and I, had stayed true to the whole 'True Love Waits' purity promise since we as Christians, felt it was dishonoring to engage in certain "activity" before marriage. They even slept in different rooms. The only thing that seriously bugged me was how they were living together, and had been together for seven years but Dan still hadn't proposed. On our way there Andrew and I were listening to Christmas music, getting into the Christmas spirit. He drove and as he drove, he held my hand the entire way. Something that I definitely enjoyed. When we arrived it was about 3 pm and we were ready, ready for an awesome time with our best friends.

DEANNA
Me and Dan had spent the entire morning and day before getting ready for our guests. Sam and Andrew had been our best friends since, well... I can't even remember.

We danced around to Christmas music while cleaning the house and prepping food. The snow fell lightly outside making it truly look like a winter wonderland. I was with the love of my life and our best friends were soon to arrive. This was going to be an epic Christmas!

Andrew and Sam arrived around three.

"Ahhh!!!" me and Sam hugged each other and jumped up and down, just like children. The boys did there dumb hand shake they had had since 11th grade. I hugged Andrew and Sam pretty much tackled Dan. We all laughed and we finely came inside where refreshments and a warm fire sat waiting.

"Ah," Andrew said with a sigh of contentment, sitting down on our sofa and taking his shoes off. "Only thing that could make this better is a nice beer."

"Gotcha covered" I said handing him a beer.

"Thanks Dee!"

Sam sat down next to her man and I went and sat on the arm of the chair Dan sat in. He looked at me with a smile that told me he knew something I didn't know. I gave him a questioning look back but he just smiled. I knew Sam saw these looks cause the look she gave Andrew made us all seem confused. We burst out laughing then went into random conversation, mostly about the fact my little sister Renee and Andrew's little brother Even were now dating.

After an early dinner me and Sam stayed in the kitchen to clean up while the boys went down to the garage to see Dan's new motorcycle.

"I still can't believe he bought a bike!" Sam exclaimed. "Even Andrews not that crazy."

"You know Dan, always trying to live life to it's fullest... though sometimes I get scared with his crazy schemes that full life may be short." I looked nervously at the door as it closed behind the men.

"Don't worry Dee, he knows what he's doing," Though as Sam said it, it didn't seem too reassuring.

"I just can't lose him.... Not after everything."

"Still no hint to a proposal?" Sam asked.

"Not really. Just the usual stuff... But nothing solid."

"It'll happen, sooner or later.

"I'm guessing later," I muttered with an oomf.

We finished the dishes with conversation of Sam and Andrews wedding. Dan and Andrew came back in a bit later right in the midst of me and Sam reliving when Mr. Rayder got drunk and he fell asleep in Tyler's car.

"Talking about the wedding?" Andrew asked throwing his coat off (already feeling at home I guessed), and sliding up behind Sam. "Best day of my life," he kissed her on the cheek and she did her Sam giggle and I smiled.

Dan put a hand on my arm, "Wanna come outside with me for a minute?"

"Sure, let me get my coat." I guessed he needed help putting the bike back or something but when he went out to the fire escape instead I was confused.

Sam shrugged and Andrew wouldn't make eye contact, suspicious.

I grabbed my coat and followed him out into the cold. The snow was an inch and still snowing, the sun close to setting on our little urban alley as we put it, right outside of Boston.

Dan had his hands on the railing, looking out at nothing in general. I put my hand on the small of his back and he turned and smiled down at me, kissing my forehead.

"What's up babe?" I asked hoping him and Andrew hadn't gotten into a tiffy already.

He put his arms around me and hugged me. Now I was really confused.

"I remember the day I asked you out," He whispered in my ear. "I remember night after night praying for this... To be with you for so long."

It was gonna go one of two ways...

"I never knew that they would ever come true, but I'm so glad it did." He stared into my eyes now. I loved his eyes so much, the way how in the right light they almost looked green and how they sparkled when he was happy... they were sparkling now.

I ran a hand against his cheek and through his hair.

"I wanna be with you forever, Deanna," the way he said my name gave me butterflies in my stomach.

And that's when he did it, he let me go and got down on one knee. His hand pulled out a small box from his jacket. He opened it revealing a shiny diamond ring, nothing big but perfect in every way.

"Deanna Rose Arbogast, will you do me the great honor of spending forever as Mrs. Deanna Bellerose?"

I was crying by now but with tears of joy.

"Yes, yes, yes!" I said smiling wider then ever before. "I would love to be Mrs. Bellerose!"

He smiled and I could tell he was on the verge of tears. He slipped the ring on my finger and it fit perfectly.

He kissed me for the first time as my fiance and I loved it.

"I love you so much, Deanna," He said our faces barely a centimeter apart.

"I love you," and I kissed him again a little more fiercely this time, taking in every second of this moment because I knew I would never forget it.

SAM

Andrew and I had watched the entire proposal from the window. Andrews eyes would fall on me occasionally and smile, I knew he was thinking of the time we got engaged. When Dee and Dan came back in they saw we had been peeking, we all laughed and Deanna and I being the emotional girls we are, cried a little. Dan and Andrew shook hands and hugged and laughed.

We spent the rest of the evening singing carols, the guys brought out there guitars and Deanna played the piano and I clapped along. By the time we went to bed it was 1am and we were all beat.

I laid in bed next to Andrew, tired but not enough to sleep.

"You alright pumpkin?"Andrew asked as he looked at me with a sweet smile.

"Yeah, just trying to understand the fact that Dan and Deanna are ENGAGED! Took him long enough!" I shook my head. Seven years..really?

"Ha right but a man's gotta take his time. The proposal is a big thing in our life, we want to make it..perfect." He explained, rubbing my shoulders, giving me some sort of back rub that I didn't want. I looked at the clock; 1:11

"Andrew! It's 1:11! Make a wish!" I exclaimed, he stopped rubbing my back and raised an eyebrow at me.

"I thought that was 11:11..."

"It's both! Now just make a wish!" I sounded likea a little kid waiting to open presents on Christmas or something like that.

"I already got my wish." He looked at me and smiled a huge smile and leaned in and kissed me softly.

"You're so corny." I joked and rolled my eyes. I laid back down on my side and he laid down next to me wrapping his arms around me.

"We beat them, we got married before them." Andrew teased.

"Goodnight Andrew." I replied as I closed my eyes.

---written by Deanna Arbogast with help from me :)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

A Visit From Eugene?

9 Years from now...
(Me & Andrew - 24, Aubrey - 10 months)

I closed the door to the nursery as quietly as I could, just as the dog started to bark as the doorbell rang.

"Andrew! The baby is trying to sleep!" I yelled in frustration, wondering who was at my door.

"Sorry babe. I'll go see who it is." He opened the door and in came Eugene, looking distraught and all shaken up. "Dude, are you okay?" Andrew asked, with a confused look on his face. I rolled my eyes, obviously he wasn't.

"No man, I'm freaking out!" Eugene said throwing his hands up in the air.

"What's wrong Eugene?" I asked as I approached them and went behind Andrew, putting my head on his shoulder.

"Jessica!" He said with a sigh. Jessica was his very pregnant wife.

"Oh boy. Can I get you something to drink?" I got us all drinks and we sat around the oak kitchen table, getting into a discussion.

"Alright man, what's going on?" Andrew asked with concern in his voice.

"She's insane. The pregnancy moods are off the wall, the cravings are disgusting and it's so stressful! We are always fighting and the closer it comes to the due date the more terrified I get! I'm not ready for a baby yet dude. I'm still crazy Eugene with his motorcycle. I'm not ready to settle down with a kid." Eugene rushed the words, his hands shaking. I touched his arm and looked at him saying; "Calm down. Breathe. Relax." "I CAN'T!" He yelled.

"SHH! The child is sleeping!" I said back in frustration. He smiled apologetically.

"Well that's how women get during the last few months. Just give her what she wants, no matter how crazy the cravings. Oh, rub her feet too, and make sure she rests. Women love a good foot rub when they are pregnant. You'll be fine dude, you'll be a cool dad. Don't sweat it. It's scary at first but when she actually has the kid, it's amazing. You instantly love the kid." Andrew advised and I nodded my head in approval.

"Yeah, and you can't do wrong. As long as you love the kid and treat it well then you don't have to worry about being a bad dad. Me and Andrew have managed, so can you. I promise." I replied with a smile, as I got up to go put my cup in the sink to rinse it off and put it in the dish washer.

"I guess." He wasn't convinced.

"You two have your talk, I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted. Goodnight Eugene, see you soon. Goodnight babe." I said as I went to Eugene and hugged him and then kissed Andrew goodnight. I went into our room, did my devotion, prayed and laid in bed with the tv on, the baby monitor next to me as I laid in bed waiting for Andrew. He came in around 10:30 or so, waking me up when he turned on the light to get dressed into his boxers.

"I just checked on Aubrey, sound asleep." He said, turning off the light and joining me in bed. I looked over at him.

"Think he'll be okay?" I asked, Eugene did seem really nervous about the whole fatherhood ordeal.

"Yeah, it's Eugene." He replied with a reassuring smile as he kissed me. He pulled away and stared into my eyes. "Three years into marriage and you are still as beautiful as when I first saw your face." I blushed and laid back down on my side. He laid on his, propping his head on one of his hands and looking down at me, smiling. He stroked my cheek. "I love you pumpkin."

"I love you too babe." And with that I slipped away into dreamland.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

"I love hearing fairy tales about love." - Aria

21 years from now...
(Me & Andrew; 36. Aubrey; 12. Desmond; 10. Aria; 7).

"He rose and conquered the gra---a---a--vee.
Woahh, woahhh, woahhh.
Hey, hey, hey
Ooo, ooo, oooh"

Her voice echoed through the microphone a sweet sound. For being only twelve years old she could really sing. I smiled to myself, my daughter was up stage singing an amazing solo to an amazing praise song in church. My husband, Andrew, looked at with her such compassion and pride. The fact that HIS daughter was up there singing amazingly, was enough to make him boast for weeks to his band members (and of course, my best guy friends) about how amazing his child was. They would grunt and groan but he would just go on and on and on. Our son, Desmond sat on the other side of me, his arms crossed and his face disgruntled. He didn't like that Aubrey had the attention, he always hated when she got the attention because in his world; she was the ONLY one who got the attention and he was the chopped liver. Ahh, ten year olds. What are you going to do with them?

As she finished up and the congregation clapped I couldn't help but find myself praying (with my eyes open) and thanking the Lord for blessing her with such a talent to sing. I myself was never that good at singing and Andrew he was well....horrific, in the nicest way to put it. It made me seriously wonder where her voice came from because I knew it wasn't from my family, and most certainly not her fathers. She sat down next to Desmond, her white skirt swaying with her as she walked.

"Amazing job sweetheart." I whispered over to her with a smile, handing her the sermon notes and a pen. Sure my kids probably didn't understand a word the Pastor said but since Sunday School didn't run in the summer, they might as well make use of their time in church and actually learn something instead of drawing pretty little pictures of hearts and stars and all those other doodles kids come up with nowadays. Andrew looked over at her with a nod, his way of congratulating her without causing a distraction. Our youngest daughter Aria sat on the other side of Andrew coloring in some coloring book her father let her bring her. Andrew spoiled her like no other, probably because she was the baby.

The service ended and Andrew's parents came up to us, immediately complimenting Aubrey and hugging her, then Desmond, then Aria, and finally me and Andrew. Andrew's 34 year old brother Evan walked over, without his wife or any of his four children.

"So I was thinking, everyone come over for a huge pasta dinner at our house tonight say around six? I'll give Natalie the heads up about it when I go babysit little Joshua in an hour or so." Mrs.Rayder's voice was soft and sweet as she looked around us for approval. Natalie was her youngest daughter who was only 32.

"Yeah, sounds great." I replied with a smile.

"I figured we might as well celebrate Aubrey's amazing solo this morning. Man, she's got a voice." April cooed over Aubrey like she was 10 months old again.

"Why do we always do stuff for Aubrey!? Whenever I do something awesome with my musical skills or with my band I always get the short end of the stick. Aubrey's an attention hogger." Desmond spoke up as I shot him a look.

"Desmond that was rude. Your sister is not an attention hogger and we have celebrated you with your music before. Don't act like this always happens." I replied, giving him a stern look.

"IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT AUBREY!" He said in a loud voice that was just short of a yell.

"Desmond Joesph! Not now!" Andrew barked as he turned back to his parents. "Sorry Mom and Dad, Desmond is just cranky from being up all night watching the Red Sox game."

"Sure..." Desmond muttered under his breathe as I shot him another look. 'Knock it off' I mouthed to him.

"Do we to dress up?" Evan spoke out of no where.

"Yes, just like you do for Thanksgiving. It would be fun and we could get another family photo! Evan, where's Kari and the kids?" Ironic how my "twin" well teenage best friend managed to marry my boyfriend's, well now husband's, younger brother.

"In the car waiting. Declan's got a doctor's appointment at 12, Alyssa's got a softball game at 1 and Landon's got a baseball game at 4 which means we will have just enough time to go home change and then go to your place." Ahh, Evan had a busy life now. It made me laugh. I never thought he'd get married. He was like Bobby, so awkward with girls. I wonder what happened to Bobby...

"Busy life huh Evan? Wasn't what you expected right?" Andrew teased. I flirtly hit him and he laughed.

"You don't even know the half of it." He responded shaking his head.

"Yeah I do, I got three kids."

"And I have four."

"You beat me there."

"Okay so six it is!" Andrew's dad piped up. He obviously wanted to go.

"Yeah I should go. Kari's waiting and the kids are probably driving her nuts. See you guys later!" And he was out the door. We said our goodbyes and headed into the car. Andrew driving me in the passenger seat and Desmond in the middle of the two girls in the back. He looked real happy.

"Mommy." Aria's voice chipped in over the radio. Andrew turned it down and glanced at her in the rear view mirror as I turned around in my seat.

"Yes baby?"

"Can you tell me about you and daddy when you were kids?" She asked with a smile.

"Why do you want to know about me and daddy when we were kids?" I asked, with curiosity.

"Well you two have been together since you were like Aubrey's age or a little older and I love hearing fairy tales about love." I smiled at her and so did Andrew, a huge smile that could lighten up the entire world in an instant.

Explanation.

well I might as well explain the use of this blog; I had to get a new e-mail which came with a blogger account (thank you G-mail!) so i decided hey, why not make a blog that's like a story (before I remembered storywrite.com still existed) so if you're not into those crazy future stories that teenagers in love like to tell; then I strongly suggest you leave my blog now. Hey what can I say? My friends are always telling me I'll marry my boyfriend so why not have a little fun with it? This blog is just..well a fairytale. It jumps around; a lot and it's just random stories of my future life; in my mind. But hey, a girl is meant to dream and that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm a teenager, in love, with big, wild and crazy dreams. Gotta get them out somehow..right?

this may actually be quite enjoyable to anyone whose reading this besides myself.