This is my favorite picture of Arnie and me, taken in Chicago at my going away party. It's framed and sits on the shelf in my bedroom. This is what I look at when we talk on the phone.

The math of a 1 year relationship:

1 promotional campaign + 2 people who are not above painting their face blue or wearing giant ear costumes, and walking the streets of Chicago = 2 people meeting eachother.

1 house party full of improvisers + A few cups of cheap keg beer + 2 co-workers chatting till the wee hours of the morning = 1 first kiss.

1 cheesy nickname given + 1 retaliation = 2 horrible nicknames.

1 decision to move to Boston because it's what I needed to do + 1 decision to stay in Chicago because it's what he needed to do = 1 relationship turned long distance (9 months together, 3 months apart.)

1 blog about a break up + 1 inspiration(imitation?) + 1 new camera = 1 blog about moving.

107 phone conversations + 1 honest mistake calling me N, his ex-girlfriend's name + 1 lonely and crabby attitude = 1 unnecessary argument.

52 Sundays - 13 spent apart = 39 awesome days spent doing nothing together.

365 days + 1 great guy + 1 move to Boston = 1 good year.

Happy Anniversary NieNie.

Love,

Shitbox