Jul 10 2007
Awwwwww
Yo. It’s kinda like Flashback Friday or Soap Opera Sunday, except that it’s a Tuesday. Just bear with me, okay?
About seven and a half years ago, I went up to Park City (I was living in Southern Utah at the time) to visit my older brother, J. He was going to be meeting up with some friends there–friends I didn’t know, but I was always eager to meet any new group of young men. 
When we met up with his friends, I naturally checked each one out. I found them to be lacking… But all of a sudden, an incredibly handsome chap emerged from behind the others and I. Was. Smitten.
We hung out with this group of friends for a few hours, during which time I did my darndest to get to know the one hot guy. I was outgoing and friendly and ridiculously self-confident. He was a little more quiet, but radiated kindness and a great sense of humor. And he seemed interested enough…
That afternoon, we all went our separate ways. My brother J and I hung out for the rest of the weekend, during which time I plagued him constantly with questions about that friend. Who is he? Where is he from? How do you know him? What does he like? Do you think he likes me? And so on, until I think my poor brother was ready to strangle me.
Anyway, the weekend ended and I headed “home” to my school and my… um… boyfriend. (Oooops, did I leave that part out?) But I couldn’t get that guy out of my head.
As it turned out, J’s friend had been bugging J with all those same questions about me. And, as it turned out, J was ready to strangle us BOTH. But he kept our mutual interest in each other a secret, the little stinker. (J had recently been in a relationship with a friend of mine, and we both learned that being in the middle of your sibling and friend’s relationship can be very sticky–especially when things turn south. So I get why he wanted to stay out of it. Still, he could have let me know that his friend was interested, right? Instead of tormenting me…)
A few months went by, and I still couldn’t get him out of my head. I was coming into town for a friend’s wedding, and so J arranged a big group date and I was set up with the cute Park City boy (who wasn’t actually from Park City, but that’s where I met him. Confusing?) It was very clear right off the bat that this guy and I were extremely different people. He wasn’t like anyone I’d ever dated or ever expected to date. But he was so darling. And so sweet. And I was completely infatuated. But, again, the weekend ended and I had to go back to my job, my apartment, and yet another boyfriend.
But I was constantly haunted by Park City boy. His eyes, his smile, his sense of humor, his attitude, his whole aura. Everything about him intrigued, fascinated, and excited me.
So, I did what any lovesick responsible girl would do. I followed my gut and moved back north. After all, I’d hated my job and my apartment (and my boyfriend) and it was time to start over somewhere else (and being closer to Park City boy was just a perk, right?). Everything about this move went so smoothly, as though it had all been orchestrated to work out. Kate, who had been my dear friend for many years already, had an opening in her apartment for a roommate, so I took it and moved in with her. I got a great job. I was near my friends and family… and Park City boy.
Almost an entire nano-second passed after I’d relocated before Park City boy and I were dating. Very seriously. Again, we were SO different, but we were so perfect together. That’s not to say that it was always rosy–sometimes we disagreed, sometimes we downright fought, and once we even broke up. Now, I’d broken up with plenty of guys by this time, but I’d never cared. I’d never missed them when they were gone. EVER! But this… this was different. About ten seconds after I “dumped him” I realized my huge mistake. I held out for about a week but finally I couldn’t bear it anymore. I caved in and I called him–and it became clear that he was missing me as much as I was missing him.
Breaking up was probably the best thing that ever happened to us, because it made me realize that the idea of my life without him in it was unbearable.
So, we got back together. And I never once questioned if it was the right choice. It just was. Every part of my soul knew that I was meant to be with him.
Exactly 7 years ago today (on my 22nd birthday!) he knelt down before me and asked me to marry him. I said yes.
And that, Gentle Readers, is how Park City boy became Mr. Brillig. 
And yes, those of you astute enough to pick up on it, today’s my birthday. My 29th birthday. But we shall refrain from talking about that, because 29 sounds eerily close to 30, which sounds downright geriatric. And I’m MUCH too young and frivolous and silly to be geriatric…
Still, it’s my day! So I’m off to celebrate. Hope you’re all enjoying it as much as I am.
br>
Happy Birthday Old Lady! I kid….heehee! What a sweet story, thanks for sharing! Now, go have some cake!
Happy birthday B!!!!!
And since I now know you know Utah… I’ll let you in on a little Goldy fact. I spent a season working at Alta… my favorite ski mountain in the world. Makes me wonder if we ever rode a chairlift together.
HHHHHHAAAAAPPPPPY B-DAY!
What a sweet story!! Happy Birthday mama! He sounds like a wonderful man.
Happy bday and happy proposal-anniversary day!
I like that story.
Gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag Brillig! 29 is not so old. Trust me, baby , you’ve only just begun to climb that hill.
I love, love, love the meeting Mr. Brillig story. I would have expected nothing better than angst and drama wrapped up into romance and forever from you! Well done landing Hot Park City boy.
Enjoy your day! And yes, like Nanette says above, GO EAT CAKE!
Lang zal je leven! hiep hiep hiep HOERA!
Happy birthday dear Brillig! And this old fart will just let that 30 comment pass unnoticed…
Here’s to following your instincts, especially in matter of the heart!
I laughed so hard coffee almost came out my nose! Geriatric indeed! ha.ha.ha. Having just celebrated my 40th I can tell you the years to come are going to be wonderful. 29 is GREAT! You are still a 20 something. My little sister told me last night I am now a “40 something”. I quickly informed her I am not a 40 something. I just turned 40, just 40
I hope your Birthday is as wonderful as mine was. If by any chance you receive a backscratcher in your pile of presents I will trade you of my Elizabeth Arden items I picked up last night 
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR, LITTLE YOUNG MRS. BRILLIG, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOO YOOOOUUU!
Another reason to celebrate…Today is my husband’s birthday too…
Happy Birthday!!!!
Great story! Happy Birthday! Hope you have an awesome day today!
Happy 29th, Brillig! I have been 29 in my head for 12 years now. Good times.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLY JOHNNIES!!
Happy Birthday!
Hope you have a great day and an even greater 29th year!!
Happy Birthday darling. And as someone who is creeping closer to 40 I have to admit my 30’s have just rocked! If you stay frivolous and fun yours will be too.
One more to say Happy Birthday, Brillig!
Mine’s next week. I’m a lot closer to 40 than 30. The 30s have been fantastic!
Happy Birthday from this geriatric 35 year old!!!!
A darling story, to be sure! But if you call thirty geriatric again, I’ll give you a BIG spanking!
(happy birthday)
happy, happy birthday, brillig dear! may it be filled with cake and kisses!
Happy birthday — what a wonderful story! But if you insist on calling 30 geriatric… oh, shucks, I see Cathouse Teri beat me to the line.
I’m hitting the big two nine next month, scary, no? =P Happy B-day, you bodacious babe you!
Loved that recounting of how you met Mr. Brillig!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Are you sick of hearing that yet? 29 is so young, stop it. I never heard the story of how you and hubby met! I so love it, it’s so great. I should send you some copies of some pictures from that trip we took to California when I lived in Vegas, remember that? I was dating Jeff at the time…oh dear. Anyhoo, happiest of Birthdays to you and I hope you and Hubby have a romantic evening planned!!
Happy Birthday! I’m so glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who got married as a baby!
hope you have a great day. Funny how life works out eh? Glad that Mr Brillig came into your life at the right time….and that you were able to listen to your heart.
Because I like you so much, I’m gonna let that “old fart” comment slide, too. But I’ll be sure to remind you of it next year!
How truly cool! Happy Birthday. I hope its the happiest , coolest, “funnest”, most kick ass day ever
Happy Birthday! I always love reading love stories, yeah Soap Opera Sundays are good reading and all, but loves stories that last are the BEST.
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday! That was a great story…like all your other stories : ) Hope you have a fabulous day today.
What a good story- happy birthday!
Now stop blogging and do something fun & romantic, my dear.
Happy birthday and proposal anniversary, Brillig!!
Um…. 29 sounds positively YOUNG.
Okay dear Brill, just keep up the over 29 comments, and CT, Anno, JIH and I will gang up on you with some appropriate punishment (I don’t think CT’s spanking is enough, but it is a start!!)
Please know that while “30″ seems to be a big deal, you have already accomplished more than I (for instance) did at that age. I didn’t even find my soulmate until 29! So there are great things ahead to be sure. Hopefully enjoying this birthday will be one of them! At some future blog I will share my recent birthday speech with advice for you under-50`s on what you have to look forward to (eg. in a hostage situation you are likely to be one of the first released…)
I just had a bday too, but I’m a couple of years older than you.
So Happy Birthday. Hope you feel loved today!
“Mr Brillig” must be a pretty lucky guy. And the little Brilligs you have made together are adorable as well. Hey, one or two of them even kinda look like you!! OK, not really, they all look like your adorable hubby.
What a great story! Happy birthday! And happy proposal anniversary! Now, PLEASE don’t consider 29 geriatric or I may have to die.
Ahh, darlin,’ yer still a babe in the woods. Come whine to me when you hit 40, and maybe I’ll take you seriously.
Ahhhh! Sorry I’m late! Happy belated birthday!
The 30’s are way better than the 20’s in my opinion. Don’t worry about turning 30 next year!
Happy Birthday, Brill!
Sorry I’m late… I was out rescuing a Romanian pick-up artist!
I hope you were lavished with attention from all around you!
GF
What a nice story! Even though you are but a wee pup and employed the word “geriatric” to describe the thirties, I’ll still wish you a happy birthday. Folks of my generation are gracious like that.
Lovely. Adorable. All the while avoiding cute-sy meltdown - not easy. A minor masterpiece.
Blinded by romance in the PC. Been there. I fell in love in Vernal though. So not hot.
Happy birthday.
i will let that geriatric comment pass on account of it being your birthday.
hope you had a good day.
you have a sweet love story.
A little (okay a lot) late, but I was on vacation and then had to learn about the new website…congrats. and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! (p.s. I’m 33, and I don’t feel that geriatric yet, maybe it’s because my fiance just turned 47 hehehehe)
I can’t believe I missed this! Ummm…happy birthday?