Sometimes, when I am having trouble sleeping late at night, I look over next to me in bed at the most amazing girl I have ever laid my eyes on. Courtney Alexis Long. Now you might be wondering how on earth I managed to weasel my way into having such an amazing girl love me. To tell you the truth, I ask myself that every single time I see her smile. To this day I have never gotten an answer but I thank my lucky stars everyday.

It all started at High Point University with a blue 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I inherited from my mother as a graduation present after I rolled my truck. I put a three and a half inch lift kit on it with oversized tires, a cargo rack with LED light bars on all four corners, and a “modified” exhaust system to make it sound the part. All of that custom work what do you think I did with it? Obviously, I beat the piss out of it in the woods every chance I got. There was one particular time however, that I pushed it past it’s limits. I ended up having to leave the Jeep in the woods for about a week and a half all the while concocting plans on how to get it out of those woods.

One of these plans involved one of my long time friends, Emily Maura, and her dads lifted diesel truck that she had brought to campus for a couple weeks. I asked her if she wouldn’t mind me borrowing it to try and pull the Jeep out of the woods. She agreed but wanted to come with along with her roommate and friend Jess Brighenti. That plan failed, quite spectacularly I might add, and ended with everyone covered in orange clay (the south’s equivalent to mud) including all the vehicles. Despite feeling very defeated I accepted Emily’s invitation to go to her house for dinner with her housemates. That was the best decision I ever made and you are about to find out why.

After I had cleaned up I made my way to where Emily lived. I had no idea what to expect but was excited none the less. When I walked through the door and into the house full of girls, the first thing that caught my eye was the glowing blonde hair of the girl behind the counter, cooking all the food. She had an intoxicating smile, sparkling blue eyes, and a personality that could sway a room full of people. I could barely pull my eyes away from her long enough to eat the food she had prepared. That was the moment I knew my life was going to change. I did not know how or when but I certainly knew why. From that point on Emily had no trouble convincing me to come over as often as I could manage.

Fast forward about a month (I know it took a while I was nervous!) and I was finally dating the love of my life, Courtney Long. This book and the rest of my story will be describing all the incredible adventures we have had together and all the ones to come. I love you so much Courtney and I cannot wait to see where our lives take us in the future.

C&J

Welcome Party

Wedding Day

Reception