Quick Facts
Anniversary Date: June 20, 2001 2:30pm
Status: Long-term exclusive
Symbolic: our cats, promise rings
Playlist:
- I Do (Cherish You) by 98 Degrees
- Come What May by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor
- There You'll Be by Faith Hill
- Halo by Beyonce
- Right Here Waiting by Staind
- Innocence by Avril Lavigne

THE LOVE STORY
I first met David in a Grade 9 Computer class and developed a crush on him but never mustered up enough courage to admit it. I wasn't the type of girl that was confident with flirting and, frankly I really didn't know how. I wasn't allowed to date at all and seeing how handsome he was, I completely brushed off my feelings. Dave would always make me laugh. I asked him (years later) what his first impression of me was; he remembered me as sweet and although I was not socially suave, I was confident in my academics and was open and approachable.

Our destiny's collided one day in school when a girl I hung out with bragged about how David had asked her out but she hadn't answered him because she intended to leave him "hanging" for a while. I discovered later that he had decided against efforts to pursue her because he didn't like playing games. Surprised, I wanted to get to know this guy, and more importantly, I was impressed by his no-nonsense approach. After all, we were just teenagers.

About a year later, I coincidentally landed in several of his classes. He was so friendly, very funny and we became quick friends.

By the drawing end of Grade Ten, I was involved with another relationship. I was emotionally jerked around with this other guy and walked all over like a doormat. But when I was with David, he was showing me a whole new world where I felt respected and appreciated. I felt very guilty for my developing feelings for Dave, so I insisted to him that we couldn't see each other anymore. That's when I discovered a friend of mine that she liked him too. And so my intention then, was to see him happy with her because I couldn't have him. (drama teens lol) I kept pushing him away from me and urging him to go out with her. But whenever I saw them flirting with each other, I would always be crushed. I later confided and admitted to her that I liked him too.

So here we were, two girls, one pretty, one geek who likes the same guy. Often conflicting with myself, I kept insisting he go out with her and wincing whenever they shared a laugh or two. One day, I suggested that he ask her out and he shook his head. David told me straight out that he just wanted to be with me. So he persisted in pursuing me which left me utterly confused because here I was, a small, Asian girl, always buried in books, braces, thick glasses, skirt down to my knees, shirt buttoned all the way up - the works, and yet he still liked me. This was when a lot of my insecurities surfaced and I was terrified of revealing these insecurities, worried that it would scare him away.

It would be days later when I would find out my "boyfriend at the time" was cheating on me anyway, the night before my History Exam!! But I wasn't hurt though, more insulted than anything and I actually had to FORCE myself through the breaking-up process when there wasn't really a need. The day of the exam came and after David found out what had happened, he immediately took my hand and told me he wanted to be with me.

INTO THE RELATIONSHIP
During the first bit of our relationship, vicious rumors had circled the school and many shallow girls had gossiped about me (high school right?). Some girls and the occasional guy would approach David about it. One reason why I love him so much is that he saw me BEYOND my glasses and my braces. He said he had fallen in love with me (WHEN I was a nerd!!). He would tell me he loves me and that I'm beautiful, everyday (even until this day he has not failed to tell me once). When people talked badmouthed me, David would tell them off and if need be, fight for me. After a few confrontations, people eventually left us alone. Because of his protection, I was able to grow and develop on my own - in a sense, I was allowed to find myself. But not every situation works itself out like this if David had been the wrong type of guy.

Today, though I am not actively confrontational, I am pretty opinionated, proud and stubborn. =)

PRESENT DAY
Sure we get into fights, but both of us have learned certain ways of solving problems and a relationship is a trial and error approach when it comes to dealing with conflicts. It's the best feeling when you are able to stop once in a while to reflect together on how you can make life better for your partner.

We have two fur babies. On x-mas of 2002, David bought me a kitten, whom I've named Pico and cherish very very dearly. In August of 2008, Dave and I rescued a sick kitten from the Toronto Humane Society. Together we named him Harley (for Harley Davidson, haha all puns intended).

FUTURE
Now that we've hit the 8 year mark, I'm getting a lot of "Why aren't you guys married yet?"
Well it doesn't take a genius to figure out that we can't yet afford a wedding. We want to do this once and do it right. =) But there is no rush to marriage when we already know we want to be together forever anyway~

TIDBITS

David's
Scent: Dolce & Gabbana
Profession: Transit Operator
Favourite movie: Last of the Mohican's
Ring: white gold band engraved with June 20, 2001

Yvonne's
Scent: Elizabeth Arden's Provocative Woman
Profession: Ontario Certified Teacher
Favourite movie: The Notebook
Ring: gold ring with round brilliant diamond