"The Germans Wore Gray, You Wore Blue"

You know those days that you know you'll never forget? The ones you wish you could live over and over again? This... this was one of those days. This boy here is to blame for most those days in my life, but especially this day.

November 12, 2017...

We started the day taking these ADORABLE photos on my old campus and at the park where we had one of our first (best) dates. Jay was such a trouper. Self timers can be so frustrating and hard to work with but he was so patient and gentle with me throughout the whole day (plus... talk about photogenic!!!). I've recently been considering launching a photography business and he has been oh so encouraging. He will see me take or edit photos while we're just hanging out at home and he always makes an effort to convince me that I'm talented. "You really are good, and if you love it you should do it". (He's biased but he's a catch, I know). I needed more practice with edits and shooting so he graciously agreed to take some photos with me (after a lot of time convincing and batting my eyelashes that is).

We headed up to Fayetteville early that afternoon. We took photos for a few hours (and laughed a ton as you can tell) and then once I wore him out completely, we decided to head to lunch. Because I was so grateful to him for everything that morning, I told him he could pick the restaurant. Wherever he wants! However, one thing about Jay I have learned is that if I ask him to pick, he will pick what he thinks I want, just to make me happy. Because of that, we ended up at Red Robin. We giggled through lunch and played a few rounds of tic-tac-toe, then finished off our bottomless fries and headed to the movies. This movie date had been planned for months and I was SO excited. This one was gonna be special, but I had no idea how much more I could love and appreciate this man.

I am a sucker for old time films; all the classics. I always have been. Jordan and I started dating back in high school and even at 16 years old he would say I'm an old soul, but so was he. And that's what worked with us. Since day one, Jay has completely loved and accepted me for all my quirkiness, including my love for a black and white, 1940's movie date (but between you and me... I'm pretty sure he kind of loves the oldies too). Once a month, the Malco theater plays an older movie and lets just say... this wasn't our first viewing. The first one we ever saw together was Some Like It Hot and we were rolling with laughter the whole time (starting before the movie even came on, because I pulled a giant gallon size freezer bag of popcorn and candy out of my Mary Poppins purse). From that point on, Jay got on an old film kick for a few weeks (which I LOVED) and we watched many of my favorites, starting with Funny Face.

One day I was checking the movie lineup to see what classics would be coming on next. I almost (and actually might have) screamed when I saw it... Casablanca. Now there's more to this one than the other classics for me. Casablanca is a movie I've wanted to see for years and years, both because it's a classic and everyone quotes it but also (and more importantly) because it is one of the most referenced movies in Gilmore Girls.

------ Now on a side note, Gilmore Girls is my FAVORITE show of all time. I am both proud and embarrassed of how well I can quote and reference this show, but again, he loves me for it and that's what matters! We've been binge watching it for a while now so he can get caught up and understand my references, and he is smitten for the show too! I know you're thinking it's probably just because he knows it's my favorite, but I know part of him loves it too. ------

We planned this movie date in Jul, so for four months I was anxiously waiting for this day to come. I'd talked it up enough that honestly I worried it wouldn't live up to it's standards once we saw it. Still, I couldn't wait to finally watch this movie I knew so much about. That morning Jay and I talked about getting tickets ahead of time in case we were running late from pictures. We decided since it's not usually too busy for these films, we would just wing it.

Bad. Bad. Bad idea.

At this point in the day it had started to rain. Not quite a downpour, but rain enough to make walking in and out of buildings miserable. But even with rain, nothing could damper this day. We parked the car and grabbed my purse full of popcorn and I nearly skipped all the way up to the box office. Jay wasn't quite as giddy for the movie, but he fed off my energy and joyfully walked up with me, giggling at the excitement of his girl. We got to the theater in plenty of time for the showing, but it turns out Casablanca is very popular for a reason... and it was already sold out.

"I'm sorry ma'am, there's no seats left for that one".

Everything in me just sank. Jordan grabbed my hand and pulled me in to comfort but my eyes started to water (I know, dramatic, I know). Jay started to try to convince the employee to let us pay for tickets and stand in the back. "We don't even have to have seats". But it didn't happen. I was so incredibly disappointed. Mad at myself for not buying tickets early, mad at Malco for not building bigger theaters, mad at the viewers for choosing to go to the same movie as us and take up all the seats.... needless to say I had reached an irrational point. Thankfully I have a man who really, really loves me.

Jordan picked me up (literally) and carried me back to the car in the rain, with me still trying not to cry over missing a movie (but also crying a little). When we got to the car he asked what I wanted to do. Other movies were playing but I wasn't up for anything. I was too dramatic and disappointed at this point to enjoy another movie. A few calls were made and we ended up going to Vintage Stock where he ran in to buy Casablanca, but carried out Casanova (which are VERY different movies). I was sad when he held up the wrong movie but also so in love with the man running back to the car in the rain, doing everything he can to just try and make me happy.

We got home and I made popcorn and went to change clothes. When I came back to the living room, Jordan was sitting on the couch so proud and ready for me to join him, with Casablanca on the screen. I cried but this time it was only happy tears. Happy to see the movie, but also just happy to know him. Happy to have him. Happy to love him. My secret superman.

Best Day Ever. (or at least a really really great one).

By the way, Casablanca did live up to it's name so everyone should go watch it...now!