I should probably start this blog off by telling you how it all started between Ben and myself 3 years ago and where we are today. If you haven't heard the story, it's a real knee-slapper and a crazy story of love and distance. Here's my version. Just remember: the night we met, I was sober. Ben was not. Ben's perception and thoughts of that night is a bit different and way more hilarious than mine. I will have to have him enter his version of how we met into this blog at some point.
Ben and I met at the Minnesota Vikings training camp in Mankato, Minn. on August 2, 2008. I was with my family at the event, and Ben and his friend Ryan immediately caught my eye as they walked into the stands looking for a seat. I whispered to my mom, who was sitting behind me, that I bet these guys are going to come sit by me. And they did, they sat RIGHT in front of me, and my knees were pretty much digging into Ben’s back.
During training camp, my cousin Lisa, who is naturally talkative, stirred up small talk with Ben and Ryan, while I sat there and watched her child, secretly listening to their conversation. After talking for a while, Lisa found out that Ryan's mom worked with her. Small world. She managed to get little tid bits of information about each of them, and continually nudged me saying "he's cute" while pointing to Ben. I couldn't tell. The dude was wearing a backwards hat, aviators, and had yellow gym shorts and a Vikings shirsey on. The only thing I noticed and thought was attractive was his dark hair popping out from the back of his hat. I'm a softy for dark haired men and clearly I wasn't attracted to his sense of fashion.
After the training camp had ended, Ben turned around and gave Lisa's 7-year-old child an "autograph" on his foot, claiming he was a famous football player named Randy (no idea where the made up name came from - I'm assuming Randy Moss). Then he turned to me and asked if I wanted an autograph. I said sure. He autographed his name AND phone number on my foot and we parted ways. Smooth move. "How many times has he done this to the ladies before?" I thought in my head. But I didn’t plan on seeing him again.
Lisa convinced me to call him to see if the phone number he gave me was real. I called and his drunk self answered, "Hello, this is Randy." It wasn't fake.
We ended up texting back and forth that night and he invited me back to the campsite he was staying at. I respectfully declined. Plus, my mother didn't want me running off with a guy I had just met named Randy.. Figures.
After texting throughout the night, I found out that he was leaving in a week to do a 5 month College Program through Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Huge bummer and pretty much a deal breaker, because I was leaving in 3 days to go to a weekend country festival. AND I was leaving to study abroad for 5 months in Australia that coming up February. If you do the math, and if this were to work out, we would only be in the same city with each other for two months out of the year.
We decided to meet up anyways 2 days after training camp, a day before I left for the festival. He invited me to his block party for National Night Out. I took a chance and decided to head there by myself, with no wing women. Minus getting lost on the way there, I ended up having a great time with his family and neighbors and we really hit it off. But I was leaving the next day, and he was leaving before I would get back from the festival. We stayed connected through Facebook, texting and phone calls throughout the next month, and he invited me down to Flordia to visit him. I took another chance and headed down there. He showed me around Walt Disney World and I had a great time. After I got back from the trip, we became "official" on November 3, 2008. I took another trip down there a month later and had another perfect trip.
When he came back to Minnesota from his program in January, we only had a month to spend with each other until I had to leave for 5 months to Australia. We spent the time together in his college town of Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. I left for Australia on February 13, 2009 and landed there on February 15, so unfortunately we missed our first Valentine’s Day together.
He was supposed to come out to Australia at the beginning of May that year, but cancelled 2 days before he was supposed to fly out. I was upset and we ended up taking a break. We broke up until I came back at the end of June. He showed up at the airport with roses in his hand. It was a long 5 months without seeing each other but we made it. We had a month together, until we both went back to our separate colleges for our last year of school. Another 3 1/2 hours of distance.
In November 2011, we were both offered jobs within 10 minutes of each other, but in separate cities and separate states. 3 hours of distance didn't seem that bad anymore. He was offered a job as a Creative Services Intern with the Triple-A baseball team, the Omaha Storm Chasers and I was offered a Social Media/Receptionist position at a photography studio in Wayzata, Minn. 6 1/2 hours of distance. I gave up. I couldn't do it anymore. I gave up my job because his job was so hard to come by and the opportunity could not be passed up for him. I wouldn't allow it. So here we are, in corn country! We have been here for about 9 months. Ben landed the full-time job with the Storm Chasers and we are moving out of our current place and upgrading a bit to a nicer apartment community and into a pet friendly unit down the road.
I truly believe all things happen for a reason - I thought God didn't want us together with all the obstacles we have had to dodge in our relationship. But maybe he led us right here to this point to save a life. And that life is Simba's. We are adopting Simba, a one-year old Siberian Husky/Rat Terrier mix (I know, weird right?) sometime during the week of October 10, 2011.
Our adventures of owning our first dog together will be portrayed in this blog. Join us in celebrating our newest addition to our family. We can't wait to officially welcome Simba home!
I know a lot of my friends are taking the plunge into pet ownership, and I ask all of you reading this who are thinking of adding a dog or cat to their family, I beg you, please ADOPT, don't shop. There are so many wonderful animals, including puppies and kittens, just waiting for a home. You can save a life. Think about it.
Love,
Ashley
One of his many favorite spots in the house -
He ate his first meal on the first day! Shows how comfortable he was! Some dogs don't eat for days after moving into their new home.
Managed to shred a toy to pieces on day one
zzzzzz. Zonked out after a long first day!
He used to hide behind the driver's seat on the floorboard with his head under the driver's seat - for the first time since we've known him, we saw him open up and actually become a dog! He still gets a little nervous in the car, but he loves sticking his head out of the window now! He almost gets more nervous when I don't open my window. It's going to be a long winter with the window cracked ;)
We took a car ride to the local walking trails - we mistakenly got ourselves into a 3 mile walk. Not the smartest idea when we haven't worked out in a while. But Simba loved it!
We took a break by the lake shore, and Simba seemed eager to jump in! I can't wait for next summer to get him into the lakes up in Minnesota!
My wonderful coworker, Joline, bought Simba this from our local dog bakery. We thought we would treat him for his nice long walk :)
Went to bed early this day - he was exhausted from the 3 mile walk.
I lub my elephant
What a pretty boy! :)
This is one of the only stuffed toys he has not destroyed yet. I think he's getting frustrated with it - had to take a mid chew snoozer.
Probably one of my favorite times of the day with Simba. He jumps up on the loveseat and snuggles in between Ben and myself. Normally does this during the later evening hours.
Drinkin some Heinisniffin' :)
He loves his beer toy - of course it didn't last long.
Someone had too much to drink ;)
Simba is in love with Ben. It's so funny to watch him mope around the house from when Simba and myself get home from work to when Ben gets home - about an hour after me. He only mopes around the house when Ben is gone, it's the sweetest thing. He's looking out the window and down into the parking lot where we park our cars.
Visited our local dog food shop, and I gave in and got him a flea stuffed toy. Again, it didn't last long. 2 hours to be exact.
Leaning against my leg and snoozin.
I love driving and watching him out my side mirror. It's hilarious!
