The Name of Our Blog

Disclaimer: Cheesy love stuff follows...

Dan and I started dating almost 10 years ago, on September 13, 2002.  We were juniors in high school when we officially began dating, but we became good friends at the end of 10th grade, and the "potential" of our romantic relationship was realized shortly thereafter.  

[Study hall//Junior year of high school]

[High school Sweethearts//June 2004]

At that time, AOL instant messaging was a popular and preferred way to communicate.  Dan and I would "chat" almost every night after spending all day together in school.  There were only 30 kids in our graduating class, so we literally had every class together... minus health/gym.

(Side note: Dan's mom was my health/gym teacher!)

As I'm sure you know, the beginning of any new relationship is extremely fun and exciting.  You can't wait to learn about the other person or see them or spend time with them.  Our relationship was no different.  At one point early on, we discussed how happy we were... how we couldn't stop smiling... whether we were together or apart/thinking of one another.  

After that, at the end of every conversation, we began encouraging each other to "keep smiling..."

We didn't want the feeling to ever go away.  

[Incredibly cheesy, but I love it]

Writing notes was another preferred way to communicate.  We'd exchange notes every day on the bus on the way to school.  And of course, we'd always sign them...

Almost 8 years later, we had the phrase engraved in our wedding bands.  

He still makes me smile.  

And so,

Keep Smiling...