i was uploading photos to my page and i saw a picture taken of us before christmas last year. it was nothing extraordinary. a quick photo while we were devouring some ok chinese food.

we met when we were still very young, but i never took notice of him. i knew, from the rumors and the jokes, that he, at that young age, had already taken an interest in me.  but it never blossomed into anything substantial. not even friendship.

gradeschool and highschool went by. i had my share of boyfriends, he had his own romantic "links" with other girls.  by senior year, he was pursuing someone else (i learned afterwards) while i was going steady with my first serious boyfriend.

i never did give much thought to him after high school. he was one of those that i was just civil with, never really friendly.

we did see each other during college. but, as usual, no connection was made.  it was over drinks, celebrating our birthdays. i remember i had a short conversation with him that night. i asked if he was with someone, just a question without any intentions. he said he’s been with a girl for quite a while already.

after that one conversation, i never heard from him again.  i went to law school and, i heard, he joined the workforce. we went through the motions, unaware of what lies ahead for us.

i saw him again after seven years or so.  i was having dinner with some girlfriends when one of them thought of this wonderful idea to call him and invite him over. although at that time i was against it, thinking i don’t know.  but, today, i thank her for doing so.

he changed — physically was what i first noticed.  he had a manly way about him that i never saw before. when he spoke, he was different as well. he was older, had different views and plans from most 20 somethings. he was so comfortable in his own skin, like he didn’t have any hesitations about what he wants and how he’s going to get it. he wasn’t the lanky boy i knew from years back.

after that night, it became more frequent. dinners-out with groups, movies together, phone calls at night, a regular good morning message. at first i wasn’t interested and i wasn’t sure of his intentions. we were so different from before i wasn’t sure if he wanted me as i am today.

but he was consistent, and sincere, and funny. he complemented the attitudes that i had and filled-up those that i didn’t. he was grown-up in ways that i need to be. he showed me a different view of life and made me realize unexpected things are sometimes the most poignant in our lives.  but perhaps the thing that clinched it was that he made me tingle when our elbows touched.

i’m still learning his ways. i don’t think i’ve fully unravelled who he is. it keeps me on my toes, anticipating what new thing i would discover about him. he keeps on surprising me with the littlest of things that i don’t think he even realizes. i still catch myself amazed at how things turned out. who would’ve thought that all these emotions would come just by looking at a photo of us?

we just celebrated our first year together. even so, i still long for his hugs and kisses, race to the phone at night, count the days when i’ll see him again, and smile at the mere thought that he’s mine and i’m his.