This is your brain. This is your brain in love.

When you’re in love it’s easy to forget that, unlike some people, you have a brain. Or that you are capable of exercising rational judgement. Or that you were once a sassy, independent, irreverent bitch and you didn’t care what anybody else thought (well, perhaps that’s just me).

However, the earth-shattering, mind-blowing, roller-coaster existence of being in love with someone ain’t got nothin’ on the reality of learning to love someone when you see them being  a real human every fucking day, and falling far short of the 100% grade-A hunk you thought you had when you were SO in love (BT dubs, do you think they serve hunk at this weird, lady-themed steakhouse? Gross.)

In case you doubt that there is necessarily a difference between those first moments of bliss and the ever after, let me tell you a little [annotated] story. First, it’s Winter (with a capital ‘W’ because it’s Massachusetts and even the Pilgrims knew they got a raw deal), and you’re stuck in a six-hour class:

We meet in class [he’s getting a second law degree, so I’m convinced he’s probably a thousand times smarter than me].  I’m with my roommate [they get along very well so I feel confident he’s not a creeper]. I didn’t realize it at the time, but he’s probably one of the most gregarious people that I’ve ever met [He will talk to anyone. Any. Person. He. Meets. For a long time. I think it’s called building rapport. I prefer to avoid strangers, and most people really. Clearly, however, his charms were irresistible.] He does not hesitate to cozy up to us and strike up a conversation. Class starts. Over the course of the day he takes about three hours to tell a story that should have taken five minutes [He’s long-winded. At the time I thought it cute. I have since learned to ask for an ETA on the conclusion so I can ration my attention span accordingly.] So begins our courtship.

Since then, we’ve lived in different countries, broken up a couple times (third times a charm, AMIRIGHT?!), and generally loved and loathed each other. But most importantly, we still know how to make each other laugh. And, based solely on that fact, we’ve decided to move in together!! Neither of us has ever lived with an S.O. before, and – LUCKY YOU – you get to be a part of the whole, amazing disaster experience!! IT’S ALL HAPPENING!!!

Well, technically only a few things have happened: we’ve found our place; I made fun of him for poring over the lease like he was signing his soul over to the devil; and….AND…we argued about what art would be allowed to go on the walls in the new place. There were also some derivative fights about which furniture would stay, which led me to reveal the insane amount of money that I spent on my couch (Restoration Hardware – how can knock-offs be SO expensive?!), but at least the couch is safe for now.

Fortunately for you, we’re in the move-time, red zone with T minus two weeks remaining. So, stay tuned – YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THE FIREWORKS!!

 

Check back to hear how Valarie copes with co-habitation, short-distance dating, and how being love is frying her brain.