Happy Birthday Justin

Today is a very special day. Because today my boyfriend and the love of my life, Justin, turns thirty years old. We’ve been together for over two years and in that time this man has taught me patience, self-love, compassion and optimism. I learned more from him than I have from any book, movie or class. He makes me feel beautiful and treats me like a princess. He is the best person I could ever ask for. Here are some memories that we enjoyed together (in no particular order).

10) Last year Justin and I visited the American Dream Mall. But the best part wasn’t the shopping (even though I got a killer deal at Spencers) or the miniature golf (in which a kid’s swing almost took my head off). It was relaxing in the hotel afterward. We ordered Chick- Fil- A and watched Batman Returns and fell asleep in some ungodly hour in the morning.

9) Justin and I have been to Mystic twice. Once we went to visit the aquarium. The second time we went with my parents. It was pouring. Pouring is not an adequate word. The world was dumping buckets on us. My socks were plastered to my feet. Puddles were lying like snake pits, coiled at our feet. But there was hope. My parents took us out to dinner where we shared fried calamari. Afterwards, there was hot chocolate and a carriage ride and we even met Santa and took pictures with him. Justin was the best gift I could receive,

8) Justin and I love going out for breakfast. One of the places we frequent is the Cracker Barrel. But they do not just have grits and Southern style meals. They also sell Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a huge fan of all things Pooh. I bought a stuffed Eyeore and left him on the table when I went to the bathroom. When I came back, Justin had arranged Eyeore on the table to make it look like he was eating all the creamer. It was adorable. 

7) I do have a tendency to be forgetful. Once when we were at a Red Robin’s I left my brand new blue vest behind among the booths and didn’t remember it until we were a half hour away. It was a Christmas present from my aunt and right before I burst into tears Justin said “We are turning this car around” and made a (safe) U-turn there and then. My blue vest was on the seat where I left it. But I never would have seen it again if it hadn’t been for Justin. 

6) This year I celebrated my birthday with an amazing 80s party. The next day Justin took me out to dinner at the Melting Pot (a fondue restaurant). It was such a great experience. He surprised me with balloons, and rose petals littering the table. I had never felt so special. I even ate cheese. There were three courses- the cheese course, the salad course, the meat course and the dessert course (we went for dark chocolate). I am always discovering new things about myself and the world when I’m with Justin and I love that about him.

5) Every year my family takes a family vacation to Cape Cod. My whole family. Family of family. Friends of family. We fill up an entire hotel and spill over to the next one. Last year I took Justin. My family loved him as much as I did. We played football on the beach, we explored the Provincetown nightlife, we had a lobster dinner on the water, we swam in the pool, we chilled in the sauna (maybe chilled is the wrong word). My favorite part is sitting on the beach looking up on the stars at night as music is played, my cousins clunk beer and play games. On the horizon is the lights of Provincetown. It makes me feel like its just the two of us and endless possibilities.

4) Last summer we went up to Vermont to see my dear cousin Andrew get married. It was beautiful- the scenery, the ceremony, the reception. Justin and I danced until my feet hurt (omg they hurt). Each night we’d get McDonalds or Wendys because we were hungry long after all the food was served. We came back and ate it in a very old fashioned hotel room. There wasn’t even a TV and the creaking of the bed made us both nervous (would we be liable if it just collapsed under us?). It didn’t matter. We were together and we were surrounded by so much love, not just for the happy couple but for us too. It was a great way for him to meet more of my family and feel like part of the family.

3) This year Justin spent Thanksgiving with us. He brought a delicious broccoli casserole his mother made. He sat at the “cousins table” as we ate turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese and bean salad. My brother introduced the game Avalon which we kept having to restart because no one listened to the rules. At the end of the night, we drove back to Justins to spend time with the dogs (he has two).

2) Alot of the time in the summer Justin and I would have his house to ourselves (and the dogs, of course). We’ve established a pattern. Justin would drive down to pick me up Friday. We would hit the grocery store. At his house he would make me something delicious. Justin knew I was on a diet so he often made healthy meals for me. He would give me some recipes and let me choose. Justin was such a good cook, mastering all the recipes I threw at him. Our dinner would often end quite late, like ten at night. Then we would sit on his screened in porch and talk in the summer night air or watch movies. That was just the beginning of our long weekend together.

1. I will always remember the day Justin told me he loved me. It was the day of his friend JT’s (yes JT you get a shoutout) pool party and we were bobbing in the water together. I had been feeling it for a while but after being burned I always let the guy say it first (we did meet on Bumble so technically I did make the first move). When he told me how he felt, it redefined everything I knew about love. And now he is turning thirty. I hope I will be around for many more birthdays. He’s the best thing that happened to me. I love you, Justin Favaro.