Joshua

I LITERALLY WROTE THIS WHEN I WAS 12 DONT JUDGE

Our love story was stupid, cliche, but it was worth it.

December 16th 2010,
I saw him standing there. All alone, it made me feel like I wasn't by myself. Ironic. Seeing him alone made me feel like I wasn't the only one who was lonely basically. Forgetting him, I went into the coffee shop and got my usual iced coffee and a bagel. The bell above the entrance to the shop rang. Looking over I saw it was him. He said, "I'll have a Latte and an Everything Bagel, toasted." He sat at a small booth next to my table, he was looking at me. Sipping my iced coffee, I spread cream cheese on my bagel. He kept looking at me, not that I didn't mind, but it was creepy. But he was also cute. I looked over, "Is there something I can help you with?" He replied, "No, you're just very pretty." Flattered on the inside, "I'm not looking into dating at the time, thank you very much." I got up with my bagel and coffee in hand and walked out the door.

The bell rang behind me and I turned around "I told you I'm not interested." Taking a quick sip from my coffee. "Yes I know but how can I make it up to you?" I grunted, "Perhaps leaving me alone?" He raised his eyebrows "Or you can go out to dinner with me?" I was dying on the inside, "I'm flattered but I'm busy tonight." He looked me in the eyes, "No you're not." Dang it, he caught me. "I don't even know your name! How do you expect me to go to dinner with you?" He had a straight face, "Oh, it's Josh. You?" "It's Drew." I said 'annoyed'. He was looking around. "Is that a yes?" I smiled. "If I go will you leave me alone?" Josh replied quickly, "Yes."

After he gave me his number and address, I went home. I shut the door, went into the kitchen to hang his address and stuff on the fridge, and then squealed. "I GOTTA DATE WITH A HOT GUY! PLAYED HARD TO GET, DIDN'T EVEN TRY! Woah, that rhymes. I should be a poet...."

The time for the date arrived and I drove to his house. I knocked on the door and he opened it immediately. "Drew! You actually came!" I thought about it, 'actually came?' "Yep! I'm here." I said while letting myself inside. Josh took my coat and scarf, I looked around a bit. "Nice place." He said "Thanks." Walking into his living room I see a pizza, and Netflix on. Oh god.

Josh said, "What's your favorite show?" I thought for a little bit, "I'll watch anything without guts everywhere." I cringed a little. Josh said, "But more about you, Drew." I said, "I'm not really an interesting person, I like to read, I listen to music, specifically Lana del Rey, and more other boring things no other guy would care about." Josh looked upset, "Well I'm no 'other guy'."

We turned on a show, ate some pizza. To be honest, I had a really good time. Playing hard to get wins again! After finishing a few episodes I was already asleep. Josh carried me into his room and put me in his bed, however he slept on the couch so it wasn't... well.

Waking up to the smell of bacon, pancakes, something my mom would probably make. I walked myself to the kitchen and it was a HUGE mess. Pancake batter everywhere, 3 cardboard cylinders which looked like it used to have paper towels on it. I started cleaning up the mess while he set the table. There was only 1 plate... After the mess was gone, I sat down looking at the plate. "You went through all of this mess to make me breakfast?" My heart was throbbing on the inside. "Yes, I hope you like it." He said. Wow all of that for, me? Out of anyone in the whole world he made breakfast for me.

I ate my breakfast and stayed at his house until I had to go to work. "We should hang out again sometime." I said. Excited he said, "Ya sure!" Laughing a little I said bye. I finished work that day and drove home, I stepped inside wiping snow from my jacket and got a text from Josh. "So, when do you want hang out again?" Closing the door I typed back, "Anytime really." He didn't reply back.

I made myself some pasta and turned on the TV. Right as I sit down, the doorbell rings. "Ugh, what now." I moped to the door and it was Josh. "Hi." There was a silence, "please, come in." Josh stepped inside and I made 2 cups of hot cocoa. Sipping he said, "so is this our second date?" I looked over like, '•3• BISH' but I kept my cool. "Date?" He looked over, "Ya we can call it that." I sighed and watched TV. He turned off the TV once I fell asleep and he went home.

I woke up and checked the mail, a letter from Josh. What a surprise. I opened it,

Dear Drew,
I know we are just some 22 year old people who met in some broke down coffee shop but no matter how long I've known you, 3 days, it feels like forever. Without you, forever isn't as long. It's people like you who don't just exist, people like you matter. At least to me, your kindness can open a heart, and your beauty is just stunning. We've been on 2 dates in 3 days, say I'm crazy I don't care, but I love you. God. I love you. I am in love, for the first time it feels real. Oh my god. This feeling, my heart is beating out of my chest. I get butterflies around you, you make me feel welcome and wanted. Thank god for you. I probably sound psychotic right now but it's worth it. I'm sorry f I wasted any or you time.
Josh

I was crying. He brought me in tears. This is relationship goals you know? Gosh, I am relationship goals. He loves me, he said it himself he loves me. The coffee shop day all I did was look at him, sure he was cute but I thought I wouldn't have a chance with him. Being loved. God it feels great.

We were officially dating as of February 14th, 2011. How he 'won my heart'? Good question. He got me a rose on our dinner date. Then one by one people got up to give me a rose. I was so flattered, this is a real man. One who's not afraid to show love. He said "Will you be my girlfriend?" And I was speechless I was smiling and covering my mouth I was so happy. An elderly lady who was walking behind me said, "I think that's a yes." I started laughing and it's been about 2 months since that happened. Thank god for that day.

December 31st, 2011

It was New Years Eve. We've been dating 10 months now. He did his romantic stuff as usual and I fall for it every time. We went home and was writing while he was watching TV. I was writing a letter, to him.

Dear Josh,
Words cannot explain my love for you. You mean everything to me, you are my everything. You could have any girl in the world and you chose me. Every time I think about it I feel so important when I'm with you. Accepted. Honored. I love you. I've never said it before but I love you so much. You're right it does feel good. I love you and you can't deny it nor can anyone else.
Drew

Months passed. Years. Our relationship still strong

November 5th, 2014
We are now living together. We have a dog, Maya. Our apartment is a little too big for a small 'family' but I love it. Our view of New York City is honestly so beautiful. "Let's have a date night." Josh said. I couldn't turn him down. We went to a fancy restaurant and were seated at a reserved table for two. "Are you enjoying your birthday dinner?" Josh asked. "Yes, thank you so much for this." We toasted, "4 years strong." Our glasses clinked and we sipped our wine. We had the chef's special and a chocolate lava cake for dessert. Imagine if he proposed, ha. Just then my thoughts became reality. He got down on one knee with a diamond ring in its box. He said the words, whilst crying I said yes. Yes yes YES. My life couldn't be better. The wedding was planned 4 months after the proposal. It was on the beach, our families were there, everyone crying tears of joy.

As our honey moon, we went to Paris for a week and thankfully, we got home safely. Josh was offered a job at a clothing store which payed fairly well. God, thank you for my life. I can have a family. Just Josh, Maya, and I.  My life couldn't be more perfect at the time.

Of course all good things had to come to an end. He was shot, 4 months after our marriage, July 26th, 2015.

August 7th, 2015
I looked at his coffin. "I'm sorry for keeping you all here, just to listen to my love story." I stared, crying. "He was my love life. I loved him I really did." I was bawling now. I left the podium and sat down, listening to everyone else talk about Josh. For the 5 years I spent with him, every second was worth it. After the funeral I went to the town's coffee shop.

"I'll have a Latte and an Everything bagel, toasted."