- October 2006: He, my grandfather, and myself went to a church service. We went two times this month.
I don't remember in what context, but there was a moment when the Pastor mentioned the word 'karate' during his sermon. My boyfriend leaned over and whispered to me that he was interested in karate and that, when he learned more, he'd have to show the moves on me. "I don't know if I'd like that!" I joked. He said that he was just playing around, of course, and he told me that. "I'd never hurt you." he said in such a tender way. It meant a lot to hear him promise that and, while in church, had more of an effect.
- During one of the church visits, he told the Pastor about me a little bit and that he was happy I was his first girlfriend. Upon leaving one night, the Pastor said to him "God bless you and Suzanne." God had blessed me.
- After a service one night, when we were back at my grandfather's, I remember how cute and shy he was. "Why did you first kiss me?" he asked. This was in reference to the first one even earlier in October. "You know how sometimes somebody is so sweet that you just want to kiss?" I asked him. Then I said "It sounds like you'd like another!" I walked out to the porch, he followed, I closed my eyes, turned around, and he kissed me tenderly under the stars.
Another thing I specifically recall that night was when we talked about children a bit. I really liked it when he said that he would have to be married to me first. That was beautiful. He told me I was beautiful.
- One of the nights, before he got out of my grandfather's car, he kissed me on the top of my left hand and I did the same to his right. Later, I remember he asked if that was okay. He also asked if I would have minded if he kissed me then (since we weren't alone). I told him it would have been alright with me. He was always concerned about my comfortability and if things were okay; I liked that he asked.
- When I moved into my new apartment in 2007, he gave me a kitchen table and chairs that he had in storage. It was nice of his uncle to drive it over to me. Once inside, my ex put the table legs on using the screwdriver and he then set it and the chairs where I wanted.
- In addition to the table, he also gave me a housewarming gift. I thought that the table was it, but he wanted me to have something else. It was a nice, new pot to cook in that he bought for about $50 at "Bed, Bath & Beyond". It was great and would be helpful. "You can use that to serve something to me while I'm sitting at your table." he joked.
- He once gave me a neat techno/club CD of common church hymns. Later on, he asked me about it and I told him that I left it at my grandfather's. He asked when I was going over there -- but I wasn't. I had a sort-of 'falling out' and I wasn't going to go back for anything of mine that I left. I imagine that saddened him.
- Christmas day, 2006: Before going to see his family, he called me and said that he wanted to drop by with a gift and to give me a hug. That was nice & would have meant a lot to him; yet I said that was "okay" since I was with my family and it would have been "more personal" another day. I upset him that day, but didn't realize it even though he sounded confused/surprised on the phone.
- He took a photography class at the college. Once, he said that they were having some models come over for the class to photograph. They were allowed to invite other people at the same time and he asked me what I thought about that. That was sweet, but I guess I would have been afraid since I'm not a model and it would be odd to have a bunch of strangers taking pictures. He thought I was pretty and wanted me to be his subject.
- He had lovely flowers delivered on Valentine's Day. It was the first time he's ever done something like that with anybody.
- He always sent me text messages on my cell-phone. It was nice to know that he was thinking of me. I never responded to any of them which, I guess, WASN'T nice. He did inform me that he would have liked it, too, but it was something I just don't like to do and I let him know. I didn't explain why, though.
- I went to the Newpoint mental health center in Woodbury for a while. During that time, I remember that he wanted to come visit me during lunch. He'd bring something and we'd eat together out at a table right next to the building...but I gave some lame reason why we shouldn't (I think it was that we wouldn't have a lot of time) and this never took place. It would have been nice and something enjoyable to do, but I messed it up.
- I liked it when he would say "I love you, Suzanne." on the phone when we parted. It meant more than a standard "I love you." or "Love you, too." and I felt special hearing my name.
