So today’s my dear husband’s 40th birthday. If you really know me than you know this is a HUGE thing for us. You see we started “dating” 20 years ago today. Yes, you read that right. 20 years ago. But that’s not all. I’ve known him since I was just 4 years old. Are you shocked yet? hehehehe

I almost wrote about our “love story” here but I’ll do it now. Do you want to know how it all started? Let me tell you The Story of Us:

It started on the 4 train, near Yankee Stadium on a beautiful spring day in the Bronx. My mom left the dermatologist office because she had to go through a chemical peel because of bad acne. I was “acting up” (so she says) and she was getting frustrated so she screamed at me.  A lady sitting right across from us said “Awwww, she’s so cute, you shouldn’t scream at her.” My mom said that I was getting on her nerves and she couldn’t take it anymore  and she was in a lot of pain so she didn’t want to deal with my nonsense. The lady told her don’t worry, things will turn out ok. And before she left for her stop, she said to take care.

A few weeks later, we were on the same train around the same area and the lady spots my mom again. She says “Hey, remember me?” My mom says “Yes, I do, how are you?” The lady says “I’m doing good. Your face looks great.”  She said Thanks. Than the lady said “Isn’t this odd – us seeing each other again;  You want to to stop and get a cup of coffee?” My mom said “Sure” and they went to a local coffee shop by Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

They spoke for a few hours in the coffee shop while I ate fries and played with my doll. Before we left, she exchanged numbers with my mom and started a friendship.

They became really good friends. We would go to her house and visit her and her three kids (I had a small crush on her son even though I was a little girl, lol), have dinner, go to the park, they would even go out clubbing while my dad babysat us. They seemed really happy. Then one day she told my mom she was moving to California. My mom was devastated. One of her closest friends would be across the country. Even though she was hundreds of miles away, they always kept in touch.

Years later, my mom’s friend moved back to New York but only for a short while. After that, they moved to Puerto Rico. Several years later, she told my mom she wanted to see her because she was visiting her daughter in the Bronx and she would only be in New York for 2 days so we headed out to see her. When we got there, she was amazed at how much my sister and I have grown. She even stated that I was looking like a lady at only 13 years old. I admit, I was a bit over grown for my age.

A few hours later, her son comes in thru the door and I have to say I was a bit nervous because like I said before, I had a crush on him.  He popped his head into the living room and said hi to everyone. I was shocked. I could not believe that was the kid I had a crush on. I thought to myself, my, my he has grown into a really good looking guy – he was HOT (LOL).

Anyway, her son came in and started talking to everyone. We started talking and he tried to teach me how to play some board game. Before we left, my mom gave him our number. It was like she was trying to hook us up back then!  He’d call my house to talk and he would invite me to the movies but only as friends. I was too young to date.  We got to know each other and became very good friends but that was it.

After several months of hanging out, he went into the Army for a while and when he came back he moved back with his sister. The day before his birthday in 1990, he called me out of the blue and asked me if I was doing anything the following day. I said no and he said cool, then I’ll go pick you up and we can go to Playland to celebrate my birthday.

I was excited. I could not wait. The next day came and we ended up going to his friends house instead of going to Playland.  We stood at the house talking and laughing until it was time for me to go home. I had such a great time. He was very respectful and very kind – the perfect gentleman (still is). He took me home and the rest is history!

We’ve been together ever since and it doesn’t feel like it’s been 20 years.  I’ll be honest, our relationship hasn’t been easy. There were lots of times I wanted to ring his neck and I’m sure he wanted to ring mine too but we got through those hurdles and we are learning from each other every day.  The key for us is definitely communication and compromise – without the two, there’s nothing.

**Ok so, remember that day he came in and said hi in the living room? Well a few years later he admitted that he couldn’t wait to find out who that fine girl was (it was me *blushing*). I was in awe because he made my day when he told me.  I have loved him for so many years and I hope we have many more years together so I can love him some more.

I love you Babe. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I hope you enjoyed my love story.

Do you have a love story you’d like to share? I would LOVE to read about it.

PS. I’ll post some pics of us from “back in the days” next week for Wordless Wednesday

Thinking about saving my pregnancy tests often disgusted me (C’mon, you pee on it!)  so after using one after finding out I was pregnant, I would just throw it away.  Little did I know that I was going to find a long-lost ept test years later.

A few weeks ago, I was clearing out my nite stand and I found a miscellaneous envelope. I opened it and I found a pregnancy test that I used for my last child.

I forgot to throw the last one away (from my 3rd child) and now regret throwing the first two out.

The memories flowed in my brain when I held it in my hand.  At that very moment, I realized that I threw away a part of my past.  I thought to myself, why did I throw the other tests away? But then I quickly remembered that I thought it was gross to keep those things.

To be honest, it made me sad thinking that I threw away “the greatest news ever in our lives” but I was also glad I didn’t throw away the one I had.  This last pregnancy test would indeed be the “last” test for me because I got my tubes tied after my 3rd child.

At that time, I felt regrets because I couldn’t go back in time like I did when I held the test in my hands (I know that sounds weird) but to me it is a sign that miracles do happen.

You see, after having my son and my daughter, I thought I was done having children.  My husband would often ask me if I wanted to have any more kids, I would always say heck no! We were both bringing home income, traveling with our two kids was fairly easy and we were living comfortably financially.

I didn’t want to struggle with money like we did before when the kids were babies.  Before we had kids, we both agreed that I would stay home for the first year with each child and I did.  It was a struggle financially but we managed but I could not face that once again.

In June 2004, my husband and I took a trip to Puerto Rico.  It was our long awaited “honeymoon.” We left our two kids with my mother and went away for 6 days.

It was the longest 6 days ever but it was the best 6 days too!  We had a great time exploring Puerto Rico (it was my very 1st time visiting P.R. & 1st time on a plane) and I even got to visit my godmother who I haven’t seen in 20 years.  I’m dreaming about going back – but this time with the kids.

Little did we know that we’d be bringing home a special “souvenir.”  A “souvenir” that would bring us so much joy and complete our wonderful family. I will be forever grateful for that trip to Puerto Rico (& to God) because it brought back our last child, our baby.

The moment I knew I was pregnant was the instant I felt the urge to vomit.  That is the only time I feel nauseous and queasy.   At first, I was not happy. I couldn’t believe it.  I told my husband how I was feeling and we literally raced to our local CVS to purchase a pregnancy test.  He kept on saying I don’t think you’re pregnant, you’re probably coming down with something but I knew.  When you’re a woman whose gone thru pregnancy before, you just know.

After I took the pregnancy test, the two lines appeared immediately.  I was in shock.  I came out of the bathroom with tears in my eyes.  My husband on the other hand was ecstatic! He saw the tears and he said don’t worry, we’ll make it.  He knew why I was crying.  I didn’t want us to worry abut money because the more kids a family has, the more money it costs – that’s just a fact.

After he consoled me and told me everything would be alright, I was happy and relieved.  It was great to feel the joys of being pregnant again after 6 years. Everything felt like new and things turn out to be pretty good. Thank God!

P.S. My daughter was born with a birth mark on her back with the shape of Puerto Rico. No lie! LOL I’ve got a picture somewhere and when I find it, I’ll post it on twitter. @Newyorkchica.

Click HERE to receive your very own keepsake bag to store your precious memory.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of e.p.t and received an e.p.t. keepsake case and a $20 gift card to JustGive.org to facilitate my review.

To my dad, my papi, you are always in my thoughts and my heart. I think about the times you spent with me guiding me and filling my mind with your wisdom. You were always thoughtful, caring and a very loving father. Even after the divorce, you never let that get in the way of your love for us.  You made sure to see my sister and I every week.  You never once not kiss or hug me. You taught me how a father should be. I’m so glad and very fortunate I got to spend 19 beautiful years with you. May you rest in peace, Pa. I love you.

To my husband, my love of my life, thank you for always being so supportive, caring and loving to our 3 wonderful children (& me ). Even though you grew up without a father, you have a done an incredible job being a great father to our kids. The love you give to them is unbelievable. You are constantly giving them hugs and kisses and you pour your heart out to them and for that I’m forever grateful.  You tell them you love them each and everyday.  They are very lucky to have a dad like you and I’m lucky to have such a wonderful husband. You deserve more than just a day so I hope today is a good one. Love ya!

To the rest of the dads and mamas, have an awesome day.  I hope your day is filled with love and happiness.