How We Met & Our Story - his version

Today I'm linking up at Medicine: A Love Story and I wanted to share with you how Russ and I met and our story.  It's only appropriate on a day like today, right?  This morning I walked into my building and there were tables of students setting up to sell flower arrangements from the student-run flower shop.  They were there yesterday, too, and quite busy.  I can't imagine how long their lines will be today.

I realized I have never really shared 'our story'.  Most of you know we met at a Halloween Party and dated long distance for 2 years.  The first of those years he was only 2 hours away but the second year, he was 800 miles away (thanks to Medical School).  Upon graduating from Mizzou, I packed up and moved to PA.  The rest (as they say) is history.

Instead of me telling you more of our story, I decided to let Russ' voice make an appearance on this blog.  The story below was written by Russ during our engagement for our wedding website.  I love going back and reading it - and since I have yet to share our complete story, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do so...

*side note: I removed some sentences which are no longer valid that

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Halloween 2007- During my senior year at SLU, on a wednesday night, in the middle of trying to get into medical school, my friend Mike offered to do something I probably should not have agreed to....drive us to Columbia, MO (thanks, Mike). Most of our friends attended Mizzou and were throwing a Halloween party. I hesitated, but ultimately couldn't resist the temptation of a college party. We hopped in the car and met up at a friends to get dressed in our costumes. Little did I know that another guest would be joining our friends that night, and apparently she very much hesitated to attend the night's festivities as well, uninspired to have to socialize with a completely new group of people. We introduced ourselves, and as single men with an instant attraction tend to do, I started flirting and getting to know her. The night evolved rather quickly, and our flirting was kind of pitiful and embarassing when we look back now. I was interested in her italian background and so I was being really obnoxious with my pathetic italian accent, talking about cheese and pasta, as I had recently been watching a lot of food tv. She was eating it up though, no pun intended. We eventually kissed, and were glued to eachother's hips the rest of the night.

As I left Mizzou the next day, I was filled with joy, having just met a very special girl. We started dating shortly thereafter. Corinne was able to celebrate my news of getting accepted into medical school, but as that news was great for my future, it put OUR future in doubt. I battled some immaturity and refusal to commit to a relationship with a move to Pennsylvania on the way, "boys will be boys", but was really astonished at how devoted Corinne was to me and willing to accept my faults. By the time graduation came, I knew that I needed to mature in a hurry. We decided to try to maintain a long term relationship while I completed my first year of medical school in Pennsylvania, and she wrapped up her senior year at Mizzou. The year was very difficult for both of us, but we made it. I feared making the next step of asking her to move up with me, but knew in my heart that she was the girl of my dreams. She gladly accepted. 

Living together, we learned a lot about each other, developed a lot of hobbies, and really started to depend on each other as best friends. Not many people realize how difficult it was for her to be away from home, be forced to find a job outside of her comfort zone, and put up with the life of a medical student. She handled it with a lot of grace, and has been a major reason for my success not only in school, but more importantly as a person. 

Last year, we moved to Pittsburgh for 2 years of clinical rotations. We picked up a golden retriever named Miley before we left. On New Years Eve, 12/31/10, I decided to ask her to marry me under "the magic tree". We celebrated with her family, then my family, and have been smiling ever since. Life is good, God is good, and we appreciate all of your support. 

Much love,

Russ

picture taken the night we met - and one you've probably seen on this blog many times