I met Mr. Pencils January of our freshman year of college. I first remember meeting him on campus, near the quad, early on a Friday night (apparently, we had met before, but that's a different story for a different day). We had a mutual female friend (we'll call her Jane) that I just happened to being hanging out with that night. Within a week, Mr. Pencils, Jane and I were inseparable.
Part of the joined-at-the-hip included all deciding to pledge the co-ed community service fraternity on campus. Jane and I had already decided to join, as we both wanted to get more involved on campus and we both really enjoyed community service and working with others. To this day, the story goes that Mr. Pencils joined because of me- he proudly tells all of our friends this sweet fact. When I saw Mr. P in action, serving the community, I began to doubt this small detail...
For the next three and a half years, Mr. Pencils and I did community service side by side. We cleaned up beaches in Annapolis and parks near the National Mall, managed a small local men's shelter overnight, volunteered at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and supplied the man power for countless family days at the National Air and Space Museum.
A photo of Jane, me and Mr. Pencils in Annapolis on a fraternity service trip sophomore year of college:
personal photo
Dating in college can be pretty tumultuous. You're becoming an adult, figuring out who you are and what you want out of life. Mr. Pencils and I got to experience these changes within our relationships, and these caused.....well, growing pains. Sometimes we'd have really frustrating days or weeks where we were upset at one another and not exactly sure why.
Yet, every time we had a community service commitment- whether it was a simple 2 hour service project, or a weekend service retreat with the entire brotherhood- Mr. P and I were able to put any differences we may have been experiencing in our relationship aside for something bigger and better than us- our community and those who live within it.
Looking back now, I can fully grasp how this was possible. It was because of Mr. Pencils. One of the most selfless, compassionate, kind and truly caring people I know, he was able to comprehend that our petty arguments should take a backseat to helping others. He was able to guide me, by example, to let go of insignificant frustrations when there was work to be done. Especially when others were relying on the work we were doing!
It may not seem like much, but I have learned so much from Mr. Pencils. It was from standing beside him as a brother in our community service fraternity that truly allowed me to see, and love, Mr. P for everything he is: noble, gentle and strong. When I saw him through the lens of others, as his "brother," I was truly able to understand and adore him. And I fell for him again and again, harder each time.
Our love has flourished since college, but whenever I get frustrated or irritated at the P-meister, I remember him during our years doing community service and I fall for him all over again.
When did you realize that your fiance was everything you dreamed of? What are some things he or she does that truly reminds of you of why you fell in love?
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