8 Years | Our Story

Eight Years ago a Marine & a Hippy Met

When I moved back after returning from a Summer in Alaska, I moved in with my sister in Scandinavia. I had a few random jobs till I got one at Hilltop in Stevens Point – a 40-minute drive but worth it! Here I met Justin where he was working as a line cook. We didn’t really talk much until one day a co-worker and I was having a conversation about Strip Clubs. Do not ask me why we were talking about them, but I asked Justin about them. That right there was our first conversation to each other! It might not be that romantic – but it makes us both smile every time we tell it!

It took us a few weeks, maybe months to actually go out on a date! I got his phone number from the employee phone list – then one night after too many drinks I texted him. We met up at a bar, danced and the rest is history! Ha ha – told you it wasn’t romantic! But, I tell him all the time that if I wouldn’t have made that first move we won’t be together right now! He always reply’s “I thought you had a boyfriend!” I did not, of course! And the rest is history!

Since that day life together has been the most beautiful imperfect perfect eight years! We’ve traveled to 11 states, camped dozens of sites, hikes hundreds of miles, photographed hundreds of amazing humans, lived in 2 cities together and worked alongside each other for 6 years!

We are not married – but we agreed years ago that no matter what we will work through it. Relationships are not easy, every fight has us learning more about each other and ourselves. Every time I look at Justin, think about our lives together I can’t imagine my life any other way. Today while we were getting groceries I felt like those goofy madly in love couples I see on the street and smile. If this is what 8 years is like, I cannot wait to see what the next 50 are like!

My favorite quote about relationships:

He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break. Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there is always one guy that is perfect for you. – bob marley