I plan on coming up with a local ad campaign. Because I’d rather make my way through school taking pictures of people than working at Starbucks. Perhaps I’ll use little postcard mailers. Hand-made flyers for my town’s small businesses and grocers. Word of mouth clearly isn’t cutting it lately. And hopefully, with the addition of my portfolio building work with Natalie, and my upcoming work with Dan and Amber and hopefully with Lisa, I’ll have more portraits to show off my style with.

I don’t really know where I’m going with this or where it will take me, but I know it’s worth a shot. I’m hoping to be lucky enough to be admitted into 9rules to give my name a little extra boost in SEO numbers, to be honest. It’s time to get creative, because in the end, that’s what photography is all about, even down to the marketing.

And I’m determined to figure something out. Because part-time, coffee hell is not for me, even if the coffee giant offers a good set of benefits to part-time employees.

On Saturday I took my friend Natalie out to Gasworks Park in Seattle for a little photo shoot. We had to spend a little bit of time getting her to loosen up in front of the camera, but once we did, she had a lot of fun and offered up a lot of great opportunities for shots. With her hair, her clothes and her general disposition, she had already lent a wonderful vintage feel to the photographs which I enhanced with a little bit of processing. Here are some of my favorites:

Next week is a photo shoot of my fiance, and the week after a sweet little shoot of a couple I know. I’m trying to build my portfolio up some more and hopefully get some clients lined up soon.

More of the set is here.

“This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

[...]

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can.”

At that college group session, as we talked about what we believed the role of the federal government to be, I found, more than ever, that Republicans and Democrats represent only one thing: watchdogs for the extreme. Both positions are vital to keep us from swinging too far toward communism or fascism (which, ironically enough, in the end are entirely similar). But, while those may be our politicians and while those may be our only major parties, we must recognize that they do not represent America as a people. As a people, we must be the ones to stand up and listen, really listen, to one another and try our utmost to understand them. We must be the ones who pay attention to what is happening on Capitol Hill, and if we don’t like it, we must be the ones to stand up and say so.

Now, more than ever, we must remember that those who sit on Capitol Hill and in the White House are there only because we have placed them there — they are our employees and it is our duty to ensure that they are doing the job to our standards. We must remember that this nation was founded for the people, and most important of all, by the people. If we continue to sit idly by, resigned to let the politicians in D.C. do whatever they please with our country, then our country will most certainly fail.

So what is the answer?

Throw aside your political party affiliation. Forget it. Stand by your fellow American, no matter if she thinks differently than you. In your neighborhoods, sit, have some coffee, and talk about what matters most to you in your neighborhood. Start small, by all means. But the point is that we must get involved.

I will give the party mechanisms this: They have some great practices in place. When I participated in the Democratic caucuses this past January, after we went through the presidential nomination process, there was ample time to get together and put forth propositions and proposals for the Democratic party to consider bringing forth in Congress. That is what we must do as well. But not in the arena of petty party politics, because doing it only with like-minded citizens, we miss entirely the opportunity to find compromise amongst ourselves to bring to our politicians.

You want to know the Change that I desire most? When party politics are set aside and American citizens take to the streets to get the real work of America done, side by side, hand in hand, red and blue long forgotten. You want to know the Change I desire most? For no one’s patriotism to be called into question because of their party affiliation. You want to know the Change I desire most? For the American people to stop playing into the false idea that we have no place in politics, that we should just let the politicians do as they please once elected. I want to see more politicians elected who are of the mindset that they cast their votes not on their own conscience, but expressly based on what their people want.

I want to see Americans get off their couches, put the remote down and get involved. Not just with those they agree with, but above all, with those whom they disagree. How often do we all complain that nothing gets done in Congress, that it’s all petty politics, only to turn to our neighbor and dismiss them because of their political beliefs? We must recognize the importance of all of our ideals for this country, no matter how different and remember that, as Barack Obama said, “We rise or fall as one nation, as one people.”

I want Americans to realize and remember that voting is not the end of our civic duty, that further involvement is vital.

We would do well to remember that now, more than ever.

Change is on the way, but only if we take it in our hands.

I just finished watching Obama’s victory speech last night. And I realized that he is the most authentic candidate I have ever seen, and granted, I have not seen many. When he speaks, his humility is clear, and most refreshing (and touching) of all, so is his passion and dedication for us — the American people, and not just those that supported him through this election.

We won because we are tired of politics of usual — we are tired of politicians who say they want to work for us and then fail to do so. We are tired of politicians who say they care about us, and then continue to prove the fact that they have no idea what we deal with on a daily basis.

If you don’t like Obama, that’s fine and I can honestly respect that. But now is the time to unite and remember that we are, first and foremost, Americans. I beg you — be a more mature American than I was four years ago. I say this with complete humility and total regret. Maybe the last four years would have been different if we all could have had that attitude. For the next few months, let’s try to understand each other and find compromise — not just conservatives, but liberals too. If, on January 21, Obama’s enacted policies are disappointing to you, then by all means — let the criticism begin. But until then, our job, our patriotic duty, in fact — is to learn how to understand each other and above all, respect each other. It is of the utmost importance.

Yes we can.

1. Years 0-4: Bush Sr. Baby, Florida
2. Years 4-8: Clinton. Child, Florida.
3. Years 8-12: Clinton. Child, Washington.
4. Years 12-16: Bush Jr. Teenager, Washington.
5. Years 16-20: Bush Jr. Young Adult, Washington. Engaged.
6. Years 20-24: ?, Adult, ?. Married. ???

I was born with Bush Sr. as the presidential elect, and at four Clinton took office. I of course, remember nothing of these times. My first political memory, in fact, takes place in the apartment my family lived in when we first moved to Washington. I was eight and we were watching TV absent-mindedly as Bill Clinton was on trial for some “Monica Lewinsky” debacle. I didn’t really know what was going on, and if I had any concept, I have no recollection of my thoughts. My family was quiet and said nothing memorable.

Fast forward four years or so. Upon leaving the fifth grade, my teacher, as part of her farewell, challenged us to pay attention to the looming presidential election, saying it will shape our futures. I took this to heart and watched all of Saturday Night Live’s presidential debate sketches (hey, I was only 11!). In November, sitting in a middle school portable, I cast my vote in our mock election for Al Gore because he was against the death penalty, though I remember it being a hard choice because George W. was against abortion and was a strong Christian, and I, as a growing believer myself, believed this important.

Then September 11. I got on the bus that morning completely unaware. The bus was strangely quiet, actually listening to talk radio. So I listened too. Two planes had just gone down in Pennsylvania. And the World Trade Centers had fallen. We were all shocked. At school that day no one would let us watch the news. Instead we talked about what was going on. All I wanted to do was go home. And when I did, I dropped my bag and immediately sat in front of the TV, watching the images of the towers fall again and again, fear nestled deep within. Peter Jennings was my anchor of choice. And then Bush came on. And I praised his use of scripture and felt relieved to have someone of his caliber taking care of us all.

The following weeks were unsettling. Rumors of anthrax and next attacks ran wild. But nothing happened. I remained in strong support of our Commander in Chief, ever grateful for his presence and leadership.

The next thing I remember is the lead-up to war in January or February of 8th grade. I remember questioning Bush’s scruples. Really? He was willing to just jump to war without waiting for evidence? Without the UN’s blessing? What happened to not being the world’s police force? Why were we rushing? And then, most shocking of all, we were bombing Baghdad without any firm evidence. And I was outraged. I stood at odds against several of my Christian friends for questioning Bush’s judgment, but did so anyway.

My freshman year, there was a falling out between me and my youth group. The specifics don’t matter much anymore, but I left angry and bitter, and channeled my rage for feeling as though I had been brainwashed into a full fledged political rebellion — to the left. This rebellion was accompanied by my parents’ political awakening and growing outrage at the policies of Bush and their own dash to the far left. By the election my sophomore year, I had myself convinced that the nation would fail and die if Kerry was not elected. The night of the election, my parents and I stayed up deep into the night watching the results pour in, leaning forward as Ohio moved closer and closer and the votes narrowed more and more. The next morning, I crawled into bed with my mom and cried as Kerry conceded.

While this last term has not been the best in American history, I am not sure that we can call it the worst, mostly from my own lack of knowledge of full American history. Constitutional rights have been suspended or ignored (read: Habeas Corpus, right to privacy), torture has been condoned by our federal government, national disasters ignored, wars wagered with no clear plan or strategy or end goals, and more wars threatened. But we have survived. And we will continue to survive, no matter the outcome of this race.

Tonight, I plan to sit here as I did four years ago — watching the results come in on baited breath. But this time, I am much more at ease, in part because my candidate has a fairly large lead in the polls, but also because I sincerely believe that both candidates got where they are for a reason and that both are capable of handling the office. While I clearly believe one candidate more qualified for the crises that immediately face him, and that one will do much better than the other, both candidates can work their way through the issues.

This year is also different because I have done my part. I have made my stand. I have voted for Barack Obama. This time I don’t have to waste my time thinking, “I wish I could have voted…I wish I could have done something.” Now, I can watch the election results as a happy, exciting sports game, complete with pundits, flashing lights, and two colors turning on a map.

And, as I watch with my parents tonight, I enjoy the second time we have watched together, as a family. Yelling at the TV, getting excited, laughing as we watch Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. And I enjoy, sentimentally, a true end of an era. The next presidential election will be different on a personal level. I’ll be a married college graduate. Who knows what else will be changing or happening, who knows if I’ll even be able to come to my parent’s and share in this exciting night.

As I drove to my parents, I found myself wishing that I could have gone to the polls with my dad today instead of using the absentee ballot. Today, for all I know, was my only chance to share my first civic duty with someone I care about and who has taught me so much about the process. But, I am proud still to join the voting masses and I am excited for all the coverage tonight, and the “final” results tomorrow morning.

Happy Election Night!!

I find myself grateful to her. Because her death made me feel like a real part of the family for the first time. For the first time, I was able to look at Wes and think of him as a brother without finding the term strange. For the first time, I was able to sit next to Randy’s mother and not feel on edge and nervous. In a strange way, Coleen’s passing has made me feel inducted into the family.

But I am no fool — the death of Randy’s aunt is not about me. My heart pained for her husband, Jim, when he came to the kitchen where I was holding his giggling 10-week old grandson immediately after Coleen formally passed, and took the small boy in his arms, cooing over him, a single tear tracing down his face. He loved her, and he was happy she was no longer in pain. In many ways, he reminded me of my grandma after my grandpa died when I was in second grade. I remember her clearly, sitting in her rocking chair as friends and family cried and hugged each other, and she sat with a peaceful smile on her face. I asked her why she was smiling and all she said was, “He’s not in pain anymore. He’s in a better place.”

Later, I was in the room with Randy’s mom and a few others when Jim came into the room. He leaned over his wife and gave her the sweetest hug and kiss, and when he pulled back, was startled to see a smile on her face that was not there before. And as he hung over her, looking at her, stroking her face, telling her how much he loved her, I considered the fears that had sprung up over the last month or so about marriage in the long term and the words “till death do us part.” It is not marriage that scares me, but life for whichever of us survives the other.

But, watching Jim and his beloved wife, even with the pain that hung in the room, there was a certain lightness, a certain joy found in a life well lived and people well loved. And my own fears were lifted. I am certain they will return from time to time, but, particularly as I listened to one of their sons talk about their mother, I realized that I was missing one important piece in my premature fears last month: When you choose to make your life with someone, you add more people by nature. Jim and his boys can find comfort in each other, in knowing that Coleen loved them all, and made each of them who they are. Coleen and her love is truly a part of all of them, and the memories of her, those will never leave. While she may be gone physically, while Christmases and holidays will never be the same, she is still there — so long as those who she knew and loved are able to scratch the surface and find her.

Thank you Coleen. I am sorry that I did not get the opportunity to know you well, but through those you loved, your legacy lives on, and I am grateful for all you have done for me indirectly, for all the influence you have had on the family I am soon to be a part of. May you rest in peace and love.

I don’t really have a lot to say. As I found myself in a room with such words as “severance” and “COBRA” and “unemployment” being used, I found myself in silent shock. This morning I came to work as if it were any other day. Today, I left early, and suddenly unemployed.

I don’t know what my feelings are. I do know that as I packed my things and a few people came by without saying anything, just looking at me sadly. One coworker even cried, which made me cry too. It’s just so strange. I’ve spent the last 16 months of my life working there, going to that office 5 days a week for 8 hours a day. It is just as strange to me to think of not going there anymore as it was to leave high school and not go there anymore.

I am extremely grateful for the time that I spent there and with those people. I could not have asked for a more worthwhile and extraordinary experience right out of high school. I only hope that I can continue picking up steam from where I am.

As for what’s next, I don’t really know. School complicates things because it makes it difficult to find a job with a flexible schedule. Maybe I’ll work on freelancing and try to build that business. Maybe I’ll get a “normal” job for someone my age. Maybe the recruiters will be able to help me find a job that works.

I do know that I have no hard feelings for anyone left at VoiceBox. I am happy for those that got to stay and sad for those that had to do the laying off. It was a terrible situation, and it was nobody’s fault but the effects of the economy.

“I believe in what I can’t change, and a hard lesson learned, and the strength from my pain.”

But I have always been grateful for my father, even when he wasn’t with us. I have always known how incredibly blessed I am to count a man with such a tender heart and so much love and compassion as my dad. Even when I was a Christian, I was surprised by how much better dad treated us than many Christian dads I knew. He has always wanted the best for me, even when I was too blind to see it.

My dad has given me so many memories and is, in many ways, the person I think of most when I look back on my childhood. When I find myself reminiscing, it is often of road trips when we would listen to Ruby, or various southern rock/blues music, when we would look without falter for the boiled peanut stands on the side of the road. I remember my dad and I going out on Saturdays in search of blue raspberry slushies. I remember me driving with him in his blue car, and begging to shift for him. I remember walking into our duplex one morning when I was little, sitting in his lap, draping my arms around him and declaring that I was going to marry him some day.

I know without a doubt that I owe my thirst for knowledge and reason to my dad. I often think of lazy weekends spent watching various discovery or history channel specials, particularly on the Civil War. I remember one special in particular about Robert E. Lee. At the end it was recounting when, after the end of the Civil War, in a Virginian church, a black man stepped forward to receive communion. The rest of the white church (minister included) stood there in awkward silence. After a few minutes, Robert E. Lee stepped forward and took communion at the black man’s side. I looked over to my dad to see a single tear fall from his eyes.

I remember the first time I saw my dad cry, when my mom’s dad passed away. It was the most heartbreaking thing I had ever seen, and affected me almost more than my grandfather’s death.

I owe my cool-head to my dad. I learned from him to step back and think before making bold accusations against another. I learned how to give people the benefit of the doubt from my dad. From my dad, I learned that in nearly every mistake, there is at least a shred of humanity and good intentions — and that focusing on that part is what matters most.

More than anything, I learned what it means to really forgive someone because of my father. While the circumstances were terrible, without it there is so much I would not understand. From the power of forgiveness to the strength of family and commitment.

I don’t know where I would be without him. He is the first man I ever loved and I could not have asked for anyone better.

Let’s look at the two questions that were asked on Tuesday’s debate that were directly related to Russia and both candidates’ answers (my own emphasis added for discussion after the quote).

Question: How can we apply pressure to Russia for humanitarian issues in an effective manner without starting another Cold War?

McCain: “First of all, as I say, I don’t think that — we’re not going to have another Cold War with Russia.

But have no doubt that Russia’s behavior is certainly outside the norms of behavior that we would expect for nations which are very wealthy, as Russia has become, because of their petro dollars.

Now, long ago, I warned about Vladimir Putin. I said I looked into his eyes and saw three letters, a K, a G and a B. He has surrounded himself with former KGB apparatchiks. He has gradually repressed most of the liberties that we would expect for nations to observe, and he has exhibited most aggressive behavior, obviously, in Georgia.

I said before, watch Ukraine. Ukraine, right now, is in the sights of Vladimir Putin, those that want to reassemble the old Soviet Union.

We’ve got to show moral support for Georgia. [...] We’ve got to advocate for their membership in NATO.

We have to make the Russians understand that there are penalties for these this kind of behavior, this kind of naked aggression into Georgia, a tiny country and a tiny democracy.

And so, of course we want to bring international pressures to bear on Russia in hopes that that will modify and eventually change their behavior. Now, the G-8 is one of those, but there are many others.

But the Russians must understand that these kinds of actions and activities are not acceptable and hopefully we will use the leverage, economic, diplomatic and others united with our allies, with our allies and friends in Europe who are equally disturbed as we are about their recent behaviors.”

Obama: “Well, the resurgence of Russia is one of the central issues that we’re going to have to deal with in the next presidency. And for the most part I agree with Senator McCain on many of the steps that have to be taken.

But we can’t just provide moral support. We’ve got to provide moral support to the Poles and Estonia and Latvia and all of the nations that were former Soviet satellites. But we’ve also got to provide them with financial and concrete assistance to help rebuild their economies. Georgia in particular is now on the brink of enormous economic challenges. And some say that that’s what Putin intended in the first place.

The other thing we have to do, though, is we’ve got to see around the corners. We’ve got to anticipate some of these problems ahead of time. You know, back in April, I put out a statement saying that the situation in Georgia was unsustainable because you had Russian peacekeepers in these territories that were under dispute.

And you knew that if the Russians themselves were trying to obtain some of these territories or push back against Georgia, that that was not a stable situation. So part of the job of the next commander-in-chief, in keeping all of you safe, is making sure that we can see some of the 21st Century challenges and anticipate them before they happen.

We haven’t been doing enough of that. We tend to be reactive. That’s what we’ve been doing over the last eight years and that has actually made us more safe. That’s part of what happened in Afghanistan, where we rushed into Iraq and Senator McCain and President Bush suggested that it wasn’t that important to catch bin Laden right now and that we could muddle through, and that has cost us dearly.

We’ve got to be much more strategic if we’re going to be able to deal with all of the challenges that we face out there.

And one last point I want to make about Russia. Energy is going to be key in dealing with Russia. If we can reduce our energy consumption, that reduces the amount of petro dollars that they have to make mischief around the world. That will strengthen us and weaken them when it comes to issues like Georgia.”

McCain: Russia’s behavior is certainly outside the norms of behavior that we would expect for nations which are very wealthy, as Russia has become.
I really disagree with both candidates here. Russia, in my opinion, acted within its rights. If anyone is to be blamed and denigrated for what transpired in Georgia, it is the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili. He was the one who launched a ground and air based military attack on South Ossetia, a region of Georgia heavily populated with Russian nationals, and a region that strongly wants to rejoin Russia.

Now, let’s imagine if this were the US (ignoring obvious parallels between US-Iraq and Russia-Georgia) and there was a region filled with US citizens, indeed an overwhelming majority of the residents were American, what would we do? Fight back, obviously.

In short, I don’t think they acted outside of the “norms of behavior” at all. They acted within their rights to defend their nationals, as far as I am concerned.

McCain: Now, long ago, I warned about Vladimir Putin. I said I looked into his eyes and saw three letters, a K, a G and a B. [...] He has gradually repressed most of the liberties that we would expect for nations to observe.
Look. The Russians love Putin. The Russians have almost always loved a strong, nearly-dictatorial leader. And when they tire of it, they dethrone them. I think it’s ridiculous for us to assume that what works and makes sense for us in America has to make sense everywhere else. We forget that we are a relatively new country and culture, and that our culture is based upon the idea of freedoms, liberties and ability to stand against our government. Russian culture, as a whole, is not that way. We should not punish them for that, and instead should let them sort the whole thing out amongst themselves.

McCain: We have to make the Russians understand that there are penalties for these this kind of behavior, this kind of naked aggression into Georgia, a tiny country and a tiny democracy.
What were our penalties for going into Iraq as a kind of “naked aggression?” Regardless, do we defend all tiny countries and tiny democracies? Are we the world’s “freedom force”, defending and instating freedom in any and all countries that will and will not let us? But, more than that, his tone upsets me. “We have to make the Russians understand“. That is exactly the kind of tone that does not go over well with the likes of Putin and his men. Marginalizing him and speaking of him in condescending tones does nothing more than offend his nationalism, and there is little worse than a Russia with a wounded ego.

Obama: But we’ve also got to provide them with financial and concrete assistance to help rebuild their economies. Georgia in particular is now on the brink of enormous economic challenges. And some say that that’s what Putin intended in the first place.
Nu-huh. I vote we stay the hell out of that region. Meddling in any sense of the word will do nothing for us. We need to stay as neutral as possible when it comes to Eastern Europe. Make no mistake that Putin is a smart man. His propaganda machine is already pumping against the US, especially when we intervene in their territory. We do not want to add more fuel to the fire as Russia gains more and more power over the next months and years.

Question: This requires only a yes or a no. Ronald Reagan famously said that the Soviet Union was the evil empire. Do you think that Russia under Vladimir Putin is an evil empire?

Obama: “I think they’ve engaged in an evil behavior and I think that it is important that we understand they’re not the old Soviet Union but they still have nationalist impulses that I think are very dangerous.”
McCain: “Maybe. Depends on how we respond to Russia and it depends on a lot of things. If I say yes, then that means that we’re reigniting the old Cold War. If I say no, it ignores their behavior.

Obviously energy is going to be a big, big factor. And Georgia and Ukraine are both major gateways of energy into Europe. And that’s one of the reasons why it’s in our interest.

But the Russians, I think we can deal with them but they’ve got to understand that they’re facing a very firm and determined United States of America that will defend our interests and that of other countries in the world.“

Obama: I think that it is important that we understand they’re not the old Soviet Union but they still have nationalist impulses that I think are very dangerous. and McCain: They’ve got to understand that they’re facing a very firm and determined United States of America that will defend our interests and that of other countries in the world.
I really believe they are only dangerous to us if we continue to respond to them in the way that we have with Georgia. If we continue to chide them as if they are a child and have no right to defend their own people and their own interests, indeed, if don’t quickly begin to treat them as absolutely nothing less than an equal with equal rights to defend their interests, then and only then do we embark on dangerous territory.

The one thing that Obama said that I agree with is that “the resurgence of Russia is one of the central issues that we’re going to have to deal with in the next presidency” and that “The other thing we have to do, though, is we’ve got to see around the corners. We’ve got to anticipate some of these problems ahead of time.” However, he got the follow-ups wrong. The approach of both candidates to dealing with the resurgent Russia scares me. Do we appease them? No. But stepping on their toes and constantly pushing them to the side as if they’re incapable of fighting back and have no rights to defend their own interests? That is what most certainly will get us in trouble if we’re not terribly, terribly careful.

Yes, even with all of our talk of marriage and even our move to begin planning the event, he still managed to utterly and totally surprise me. I thought that he was still looking for the diamond! I honestly have no idea what he said to me when he was on his knee. I know that I was silent and shocked for at least a minute, maybe less, maybe more (it’s honestly hard to judge, time seriously did slow way down) before I said yes. The ring on my finger and the cutesy kissing done, the calling began.

As I called close family and friends to fill them in on the news, fingering the new adornment to my finger, the weight of what we are embarking on truly began to sink in for the first time. I should have capitalized on the moment and written things down then, but I was too shocked, too overwhelmed. But, it’s how things have always been with me. I never really fully understand the gravity of things until something physical happens to bring them closer to reality and out of my theoretical understanding.

I do know that I got a little scared. Not about Randy. Not about us. But just about the commitment. Now, more than ever, I understand what a large commitment it really is, and, several days after the fact, am happy to be making it with Randy.

I don’t remember when or in what context, but one time my mom said this to me: “If you find the man you know you want to spend the rest of your life with, why wait?” At the time she said that, I was of the mindset that I wasn’t going to date until I started college and that I wasn’t going to get married until I finished school. It’s funny how life can change. If I’ve learned one thing over the last two years, it’s that life seems determined to break down and apart the things you’re most sure of. In any case, as time went on between Randy and I, particularly in the last several months, I can’t disagree with her statement.

I can’t explain beyond “I just know” why I want to spend the rest of my life with Randy. It helps that he knows me better than anyone else. It helps that he understands me and is tolerant of my neuroses. It helps that we love, respect and trust each other completely. And it helps that our communication skills are great and have improved much since we first started dating.

I realize that we are young. I realize that this worries some people, and I realize that this might make still others think less of us. But I know this: Randy and I know ourselves as individuals and as a couple well. We both know that we would survive and still be essentially who we are if something were to happen to us. We know who we are, for that matter. But, we also know and recognize that each of us augments and improves the other. We also realize that we are the only people who can truly calm each other down. We are a team. And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can, and will, make it.