Valentines Day . . .

So, for most of you its still February 13, while for me it has passed midnight and is officially Valentines day. This post really has nothing to do with valentines day - but the date is my marker nonetheless.

We just got home from Tony's house. If you haven't read about Tony, take a look at Elliot's blog - Tony is El's cousin, his first cousin! We are halfway across the globe, sitting down to a gourmet meal cooked by Elliot's cousin - and it just put me in a contemplative mood, got me to thinking about what is really important.

1 year ago today (Valentines day) I was being picked up late at school by my brand new sweetie at the time - our relationship slightly more than 2 months new - heading to his house for a gourmet meal cooked by him!

When I think back to what life has brought me - my brain gets lost in the frenzy... the last 12 months have been sprinkled with some amazing ups, and some awful downs. I guess only one awful down, in the loss of Sunil Varghese - probably one of the biggest heartbreaks of my life. Correction. The biggest heartbreak of my life to date.

I am tied to this time last year because it is my last memories of Sunil's friendship mixed with the beginning of my life with Elliot. About this time last year Sunil and I sat on the phone for at least an hour - in what would be our last conversation - catching up - dreaming about scuba diving in Australia - telling each other of new people in our lives. And then he was gone.

Life has a funny way of making you realize what is important. Since that horrible day in March, Sunil brought me to some amazing new friends (and reunited me with some old friends) - and I've slowly watched so many of us who were close with him have major things fall into place. Coincidence? I think not.

For me, the last year has brought a new love, a life long love, both he and the love he provides changing my very being. We pledged our future together, and then we got on a plane to experience the adventure of our lifetimes - 5 months in a far away land, learning more about the world, culture, and ourselves than I thought was feasible. Last weekend we stood, arm in arm, on top of Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania, which stands 1 full mile above sea level, after scaling the rocky and scary path. We sat up there, and I couldn't help but think about the past year and how thankful I am.

Over nearly the last year now, I also began to think about how I was spending my time, and started spending less on stressing and over studying, and more with the people who matter to me. My sister and I have never been closer, and the pride and happiness that my parents have in their eyes when they look at Melissa and I (and Elliot & I for that matter) has never meant so much to me.

Now, on the road ahead, I can't help but smile - a smile that I didn't know I would have again when Sunil left us. With graduation, 2 of my best friends' weddings, the bar exam, a new home, a wedding of our own - and with amazing family and friends to share it with, I can't help but wish to always feel as happy as I do today. Yet I know, thanks to the lesson so many of us learned last March, that even when life gets extremely low, it won't stay there very long.