First and foremost- Thank you Lindsee! :)

Where to begin!

Our families have known each other for quiet some time, however Ben and I never crossed paths until the time was right. <3

Ben and my oldest sister, Jenny, were classmates all through grade school and high school.

My middle sister, Tara, and Ben's middle sister, Ashley, were classmates all through grade school and high school.

Tara and Ben's youngest sister, Lindsee, are and have been best friends since high school!

Being the younger sister, I wanted to be like my older sisters, naturally. I wanted to be so cool like Tara so in high school I tried out for cheerleading and made the wrestling cheerleading team right along side her! This is how I met her friend Lindsee. Over the years Lindsee and I became friends and hung out from time to time. In the last years of college, Lindsee moved into an apartment with 2 of my best friends at the time. Their apartment was monikered "the Hideout" because it was somewhat pirate themed and we were all, at one point, underage but could party at their place and not have to worry about getting caught or in trouble.

It was the day after Christmas 2008, I had just gotten off of a late shift from the salon and headed out to the friends Christmas party at the Hideout.

I walked into the apartment and everyone screamed because I finally arrived! Many friends had been away at college and I hadn't seen them in a long time. It was a great reunion! I looked around the room and noticed a big, tall guy that I hadn't met before. The way he looked at me when I walked in is somewhat indescribable. I just knew there was something about this guy...but then again he could have just been annoyed with how loud the drunk 20 year olds were being! Lindsee introduced him to me as her brother Ben.

Everyone was wasted at this party! I got there late so it was a little bit of an overload of drunk people. I tried to hide away from everyone to acclimate to the chaos that was ensuing in the living room- I told Brian I needed to borrow his lap top so I could upload all the pictures off my camera's memory card on to Facebook so I could take more pictures of the night (remember those days? having to clear out the memory card so you could use your CAMERA!) I went into Brian's room and there was Ben again. Sitting on the bed playing the guitar, hiding from the loud roar of people. I apologize to Ben for the ridiculousness that was occurring in the apartment. 20 year olds and the party drink Wap do not mix sometimes! We started talking a bit and from that moment on, he was by my side that whole night.

One of my friends was trying to leave the party, however that wasn't an option since she had some drinks. A group of people piled on her lap in her car not letting her leave. I kept my distance, standing outside watching to see if they could talk her out of trying to drive. And who was standing next to me, sock footed in the snow and ice? Ben. We ended up talking and asking each other questions, getting to know each other. It was a good, relaxed flowing conversation between the two of us even though there was stress with a friend trying to leave. He had such a chill vibe it negated the stressful situation.

Eventually, though, I had had enough of waiting for the others to try to convince our friend not to leave so I ran over to her car and demanded her keys. Who ran with me, sock footed in the ice and snow? Ben.

Later that night, those of us who were 21 decided to walk down to Das Bier Hause that wasn't far from the Hideout to have a boot or two of beer. We sat next to each other, drinking and flicking the boot of beer waiting for someone to get the bubble! It was so much fun.

Eventually we headed back, Ben being as chivalrous as ever- opening the doors for me, getting me my shoe back out of the snow bank after Zach stepped on my foot (LOL), helping steady me on the slick ice. Once we had a minute to ourselves away from everyone, he asked, "Can I kiss you?" to which I said "yes." Then he ran around the remainder of the night bugging Lindsee saying "I'm going to kiss your friend!" :P

After that night, we exchanged phone numbers and started texting each other daily. He eventually asked me on an official date on January 10th and the rest is history. :)

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On The Sand Vacations