Even though we don't celebrate half anniversaries, I thought it was a great time to share our real love story.
That one on my Love Story page? It's the spark notes version. Almost a year ago, I wrote out the whole thing, and today you get Part 1.
It's a little lengthy...so I suggest some coffee, wine, or other happy beverage before you begin!
{Sydney Ice Bar}
Chapter 1: Meeting
around the world
When I was a junior in college I decided to study abroad in
Sydney, Australia. I had been
there before to see the 2000 Olympics and had been counting the days until I
could make it back. In February of
2010 I boarded a massive airplane (terrifying!) and flew half way across the
world for 5 months of sun, adventure and hot Aussie men. (A girl can dream,
right?) Once I had arrived and got
situated with my abroad program I met Dom, and immediately decided I didn’t like
him. He was definitely good
looking, but seemed to know it and his Jersey Shore-esqe look was just not
doing it for me. I remember
thinking that he was completely not the kind of guy I would ever be interested
in, and knew I’d never be the kind of girl he would want. I figured he liked the tight low-cut
dress, dancing on a bar, pouring vodka down her throat kind (I’ve neeeever done
that…really, mom, I swear ;)), not the more girly, spastic type. Now, it strikes me as ironic I would
think that because I never think like that about guys, and why would I care if
I’m not his type? I knew I didn’t
like him anyways. Obv.
After that initial meeting I can count on one hand the
amount of times we interacted over our time abroad. He began seeing one of my best friends in the program, while
I started seeing another person. I
didn’t give him a single thought.
Chapter 2: We’ll always have Fiji
With three weeks left in our program we had a huge party to
celebrate one of our friends’ 21st birthday. As my friend Caitlyn and I mingled we
overheard Dom talking to his friends about how he was headed to Fiji that
Friday to spend a week of our time before finals traveling. In our very slightly
inebriated states, Caitlyn and I decided we wanted to go too. Things had just ended between the guy I
was seeing and me, and I wanted to get away. Luckily, Dom was in the same mental state as we were and
invited us along. We excitedly (and
drunkenly) booked our flights and Dom planned with the people he was going with
to get us in on their trip. All
was wonderful until the next morning when we woke up and realized what we had
done.
As excited as we were to go to Fiji, neither Caitlyn nor I
were close with Dom, and didn’t even know the other people on the trip. Even though things between him and my
friend were long over, I worried that might cause drama.
I also remember thinking it was so strange when Dom called to finalize plans the next day, and make sure we actually wanted to go now that the punch was out of our systems. We had almost never spoken in person, and now he was calling me, the girl who would never be his type. Not that I cared. Obv.
What’s more, another guy I was infatuated with had also invited us to Fiji the same week. After much back and forth, Caitlyn finally won and we decided to go with Dom and his friends. Looking back, it makes my stomach flip to think of what would have happened if we had gone with the other guys. The scariest part is I don’t think I would even know what I was missing out on!
I hate to think about it.
I also remember thinking it was so strange when Dom called to finalize plans the next day, and make sure we actually wanted to go now that the punch was out of our systems. We had almost never spoken in person, and now he was calling me, the girl who would never be his type. Not that I cared. Obv.
What’s more, another guy I was infatuated with had also invited us to Fiji the same week. After much back and forth, Caitlyn finally won and we decided to go with Dom and his friends. Looking back, it makes my stomach flip to think of what would have happened if we had gone with the other guys. The scariest part is I don’t think I would even know what I was missing out on!
I hate to think about it.
Once we arrived I knew we had made the right decision. Our tiny Fijian island was just as beautiful
as you could imagine…and then a little more. Over the course of the week we all became very close and
spent days cooking under the sun and nights playing music and talking around a
bonfire on the beach. You know how
people say good things change their lives? It was about to be one of those times. I can honestly say that June 11, 2010,
our last night in Fiji, changed my life forever, even if I didn’t realize it
then.
That night we were partying with everyone on the island like
usual, and when the electricity shut of at midnight (we were in Fiji after
all! Not exactly a 5 star resort,
but in my opinion way better) we headed to the bonfire. Except this time, Dom scooped me up in
his arms and carried me there, sitting me down square on his lap. By this point I had changed my views on
him. I didn’t think he was full of
himself, but rather a genuinely nice person, actually kind of shy. He wasn’t stand offish, just
quiet. I liked that. I stayed planted in his lap the whole
night, liking the feeling of being enveloped by him and feeling like I was
“his” for the night. I liked what
I was feeling, but didn’t dwell or analyze it. I was happy and didn’t give it a second thought, something I
always do (to a fault).
{Robinson Crusoe Island, Fiji! Yes, that's the whole thing :)}
A while later we found ourselves lying in the sand staring
at a sailboat floating in the water, lit up by the million stars and the
moon. Dom asked me what the most
beautiful thing on the island was.
Of course, I said the sailboat, completely not getting the hint and
thinking it was weird he would ask me such a random question. After all, the island had no running
water, so I had only taken bucket-showers the whole week, wore no make-up and
my hair was a curly explosion…not exactly sexy. “Nope,” he answered in my ear, “that would be you.” I know it’s a line and you are probably
rolling your eyes right now, but I promise it worked! I have much more respect now for one liners. When used genuinely on a romantic
tropical beach they are very, very effective! Needless to say, when he leaned down to kiss me I was
elated. We were on a beach in
Fiji, beneath millions of stars. What could possibly be more romantic?
Chapter 3: Back to
Sydney…and reality
Nevertheless, it was what happened next that was the most
shocking. I didn’t go all girly
and get all goo goo eyed and fall too hard too quickly like usual. I kept my feelings guarded and in
check. I liked Dom, but I was
suspicious of his intentions, and didn’t know what would come of this kiss in
the only two weeks left of our program.
I knew there was an ex back home anxiously awaiting his return, fully
expecting to get back together with him.
I didn’t want to be a last minute abroad fling just so he could have fun
before returning home to his old life.
The whole plane ride back to Sydney I convinced myself that’s all he was
interested in and planned the speech I would give him about how much fun I had
in Fiji, but I was not the kind of girl he was looking for. If he wanted a two week fling he’d
better keep on looking.
Although things with Dom and my friend were over, and she’d
already moved on to another guy, I kept everything that happened between us
completely secret, even from Caitlyn.
I didn’t want to start any drama at the end of our program, especially
since I was just going to deliver my speech and go.
That night, once everyone had gone to sleep I snuck down to
visit Dom and deliver my speech. I
knocked quietly on his door and waited in the hallway with my heart practically
beating out of my chest. I was
terrified someone would come out and ask why I was knocking on Dom’s door, for
all they knew we still didn’t even talk, and I was nervous for how he would
react to my speech. However, the
next most-shocking-thing-ever happened.
Dom opened his door with the biggest, most welcoming grin I have ever
seen. I was immediately at ease,
something I have never ever felt with a guy I just met, and especially not one
as attractive as Dom. I’m usually
the quieter semi awkward one. With
Dom, I felt completely comfortable.
I didn’t deliver my speech. Instead, we watched a movie and talked…a lot. I went back to my room that night
happier and more confused than ever.
He didn’t make a move at all, and I had never had so much fun talking
with someone. I was weird and
awkward and completely normal, except that it didn’t seem weird and awkward
with us, it seemed natural. Still,
I didn’t like the fact we were going back to America in 2 weeks. What could possibly develop in such a
short time?
Actually, a lot.
We continued to see each other every night in secret. He propped a suntan lotion bottle in
his door so it appeared closed, and I snuck down after everyone had gone to
sleep. We had so much fun and I
knew I was falling harder, but still convinced myself I was just making a great
new friend for these two weeks but nothing would come of it. Never before have I been able to
control my emotions, but I can honestly say I was in total control this
time. Then, while I was out
dancing with the girls, I got a text.
“What if I was around this summer?” This was the first time any mention of
the future had come up, and subsequently when my control began to unravel. Suddenly our time together became more
vibrant and alive. The prospect of
time beyond our last weeks was intoxicating. We planned a trip to visit each other right when I returned
to America, since I was staying an extra week to travel New Zealand with my
parents. He only lived two and a
half ours away from me at home, so it was absolutely possible. I wish I could
bottle up the feelings I had that week and give it to everyone in the world. It was a happiness I can’t put words
to, one that anyone who has met their true love can feel. I was the most exciting beginning
because it was slow and steady.
Yes, there were crazy sparks, but we also could not stop talking and
laughing. I had never felt more
alive in my life.
The two weeks flew by and then came time for our
goodbye. It was absolutely
excruciating. All I could do was
cry as he napped before his early flight.
We had our plans to visit, but was it all just talk? What if I never saw him again? I had prevented my self from falling
completely, but I wasn’t far away.
The thought of experiencing something so genuine and perfect, just to
find out it was all fake was heartbreaking to think about. When I finally said goodbye I went numb
and counted the minutes until he reached Los Angeles and would be able to
contact me. I told myself not to
go crazy, maybe he would wait until he got all the way home to contact me, just
because I didn’t hear from him exactly 14 hours later wouldn’t mean anything. I went through the motions of showing
my parents around campus and all my favorite places but my mind and my heart
weren’t in it. I was in full
fledged zombie mode until just over 14 hours later when my phone buzzed.
OH my gosh Robin Leanne Marie Beth Acevado......... ;)
ReplyDeleteCutest story ever, and I'm DYING to her all the details of the next part. I melted a little bit with his one-liner. on the beach. under the stars. I love it! I love Dom FOR YOU bahaha.
Okay- I'm done being crazy now :)
I am with Erin! This was seriously the cutest story...you are like melting my heart! I know this is way like reaching for the stars, but since this is so adorable, do you think Dom would ever do a "his view" of your love story!? Oh my gosh I would die! haha. Sorry I probably just freaked you out; but that was like the most romantic thing EVER!
ReplyDeleteXO, Kelsey
That story was so stinking precious! And Dom's one-liner was totally not cheesy. I definitely would have fallen for it myself :) You guys are seriously so cute. I can't wait to read more of your story! This was so fun to read!
ReplyDeleteSo so cute! I love reading people's love stories! I can't wait to read the rest =)
ReplyDeleteLove this! Can't wait to read Part Two!
ReplyDeletei know I've heard it before, but there is something about reading your love story while I should be listening to my professor lecture that makes it that much sweeter! I agree with kelsey, I wanna hear dom's point of view!
ReplyDeleteby the end i realize i was holding my breath!! oh my what a story!!!
ReplyDeletei need to know more!and it'd be great to hear his version!
i feel inspire to write my love story, but i dont think i could write it that well.
Bea =)
dailylivingingeneva.blogspot.com
What a cliff hanger! Such an awesome story thus far! I enjoyed reading it :)
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! So so cute!!! Can't wait to hear the rest!! :)
ReplyDeleteLoving this! What a great story to be able to tell & look back on! Can't wait for the next part!!
ReplyDeleteSo cute Robin! I can't wait to hear the rest of the story!
ReplyDeleteOh em gee... I wanna read more! I loved it oh so very much! I wish I had your courage to write my love story on here but it is nothing compared to yours! Yours is way better but I guess in some way we all love our little love stories of how they happened. I cannot wait to read the rest :) I know it will be amazing ;)
ReplyDeleteI am dying this is such a sweet story!! Isn't it funny how quiet people give off the impression they are "stand-offish" or "snobby" (as I was told millions of time by people after they got to know me) Such a cute beginning
ReplyDeleteOh Robin! This is so sweet! I can't imagine how emotional the beginning must have been - so many feelings but not too sure what was going to happen! I would have been a wreck! But here you guys are, two and half years later, and one of the cutest couples on the Blog :)
ReplyDeleteThis is the best love story I have ever read!! I can't wait until part 2 :)
ReplyDelete-Hannah
hanspirations.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness. I love a good love story and this one is so romantic. I love the fact that you were guarded, what every real woman should be. You are a strong, beautiful woman and you deserve such a genuine love :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait till you guys get married and I can follow it on your blog ;)