The Best I Told You So Ever

I met Rob in '91, and we became close friends our Senior year of High School. I always thought he was one of the nicest guys I had ever met, but like so many girls my age, I was not interested in the nice guys. My mom would tell me over and over, "You need to dump that one you are with and date Rob. Can't you see the way he looks at you." I would always reply, "But Moooooooom," in that whiney teen voice, "Rob and I are just friends. I don't see him that way." She'd drop the subject for the time being, but it was a conversation we would revisit from time to time.

Rob and I remained friends after graduation, and through a series of events we ended up roomies in '96. It was at that point when the conversation with my mom changed. "Stacie you need to marry Rob. Can't you see the way he looks at you?" Again, I would reply, "Mom we are just friends. I don't see him that way." Well as it turned out, Rob agreed with her, and he wasn't the shy kid I met 5 years before in High School. He knew that this was his chance, and he began to literally court me. He would write me poetry and have flowers sent to my office. Rob made it abundantly clear that he was in love with me and that was that.

It took me a little while, but I remember when I finally realized that I loved him too. He took me on a hiking trip up a mountain called The Priest. I don't know if it was getting away from all the drama, getting out in the fresh air, or both. But whatever the reason, it was at that moment that I realized how incredible Rob really was. It was like I woke up, and truly saw him for the first time. The night I told Rob that I loved him too, he cried. He says to this day that was one of the happiest days of his life.

One beautiful starry night, Rob took me for a walk in a field. When we came to this really pretty tree he stopped, got down on one knee and said, "I brought you here because I have always loved this tree, and I couldn't think of a better place to say this. You are my best friend, and I have always loved you. I cannot imagine growing old with anyone else but you. Will you marry me?" I remember feeling my legs shake, and my heart felt like it could just explode right out of my chest. The only thing I could manage to say was "YES!"

Now it was time to tell the family, and I guess you can imagine what my mom had to say.

"I told you so! I told you so! I toooooooooooooold you soooooooooooo!!!"

And that was the best "I told you so!", ever.

Happy Anniversary Rob. My Best Friend, my Husband, my Life.

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