Being polar opposites with someone may seem like a reason to not get to know someone, be their friend, or whatever else... but in my case, that phrase, polar opposites, is exactly how I would describe my current boyfriend.
Thad (check out his blog at www.thadsemporium.com) is essentially my exact opposite; a preppy, reclusive, as he says "elitist" of his old high school, and now strutting around his college campus in a series of button-down Hollister shirts and perfectly done hair only letting a few carefully chosen friends getting to know him well enough so they're not complete strangers - is my social opposite: I, on the other hand, a nerd, a gamer, a musician, singer, actress, the type of girl that's okay with rolling out of my bed, brushing her teeth/washing her face/tying up her hair, throwing on a t-shirt and sweat pants and leaving the house to see her battalion of "acquaintances" and small group of "best friends."
When we first met through a mutual friend, I had no idea that the kid that introduced himself to me with the ever-so-popular greeting of "Downtown Amy Brown! How's it goin'?" would ever become someone that it now seems... I need to live.
At that first meeting, I couldn't even figure out who... for lack of a better phrase, he was trying to be. He was cracking stupid jokes and comments to which no one was responding; except for me. I think the only thing pushing me on was the fact that he was pretty cute... or maybe I was just doing it to be nice. Either way, I kept laughing.
I guess from that brief meeting, he chose to add me on facebook, and I chose to write on his wall. With that initiated contact, he would leave me goofy comments all the time, and then eventually.... we both got the courage to obtain the others' cell phone numbers.
After a few.. not so great dates, we went to Barnes and Noble for coffee. Thad seemed - different some how. We had a great conversation, and then looked around through all the books. We talked about our favorite books and favorite writers and he was getting excited and happy, as far as I could tell. It was a side of him that I had yet to see, and i'm quite sure a lot of people that have known him longer than I have, have STILL yet to see. It's then that I realized that there was definitely something between us, and I could definitely see us together. From there, we set up another date. We went to the movies, to see Where the Wild Things Are. The movie did not hold our attention, we began to chat and flirt with each other, and soon enough... he kissed me. And with one last exchange:
"So... is this official now?" "I think so."
We've been together for five months, and already I can't see myself without him. I know that seems like a huge statement for a seventeen year old girl that's been making her life's decisions to make, but Thaddeus works well in whatever I choose to do.
Not many people seem to understand why we work so well together, and honestly... I can't explain it to you either. As he says (and wrote about in his blog) we DO have people in our social groups that would essentially work out. But we both don't care.
I can't explain to you my feelings for him, and if I tried I would probably just sigh and smile at you as if living in a day dream.
As i've portrayed this as if Thad and I are perfect; at times our differences do get the best of us, and we do fight. But it seems like every time this happens and we try to give the other the cold shoulder it will last for about five seconds before we both start nudging each other and constantly asking "What's your problem?" which just shows me that we're always willing to talk it out. And that fact, is something everyone in a relationship should try.
In the fall, Thad and I will be attending the same college with alike majors - as he just switched. Many people are already telling me that we won't last; considering the amount of time we'll be seeing each other. We're both willing to take this challenge because already, we try to see the other as much as possible. Days away from the other tend to become painful and feel empty, and we're both prone to spend many hours replaying past nights in our heads over and over again.
Sometimes, finding that person that it feels like you're "meant to be with" can last an entire life time. It could be painful, it could be hard. But love can turn up in the most unlikely places - with the most unlikely person. Keep trying, and don't give up.
And while you may be out there looking for it, try Barnes and Noble. You might even catch Thad and I sitting there, our hands clasped together in the middle of the table, enjoying one of our trademark deep conversations, and laughing at the others' jokes. We still go there, whenever the mood strikes us... and every time we leave, I still have the same initial reaction of what might of been me falling in love with him.
Currently listening to: "Four Winds" - Bright Eyes