When it was a Good Day

On September 11, 2001 I was a new mom with a 1 month old baby boy. My mom was visiting from Oklahoma and set to fly home the next day.  Paul was working. In my newborn fog I didn't realize anything had happened until close to lunch time. And then that was all we saw. And like most of America we sat and watched the footage over and over again. And I will never forget that day.

But today I am talking about a different September 11th. 5 years before September 11th was 9-11, it was a good day. It was a meaningful day. A day that changed my life and set me on the path I am on today.

The year was 1996. It was the end of summer. August. The last weekend before I started my junior year in high school. I was with my 3 best friends doing what teenage girls do. And there he was with his friends doing what teenage boys do. Our groups went to the movies that night- The Cable Guy, I believe. I don't really remember that part. I remember him.

School started. Weeks went by. And I saw him again and again. Our groups of friends became friends. We became friends. I was amazed at how I could talk to him. Tell him things. Open up to him like I couldn't with most other people in my life. He knew me right from the beginning.

It was one of those times in life where you have to make a choice. To follow what your heart, not knowing if it's wrong or right. September 10th was a bad day. It was the day I broke someone's heart in order to follow my own. And I'll never forget it.

But 17 years ago,  September 11th was a good day. The day that boy and I became we. The same we that we are today. For us, the date of September 11 has always been remembered.