We met one another when we were 14 years old. A mutual best friend introduced us not knowing he'd change Lennox's life from that moment on. We spent most of the day hanging out with a group of friends at M.S. 172 park in Glen Oaks.

Lennox says that on that day he knew he'd marry me. While I on the other hand simply thought he was a nice guy. We briefly dated that summer. We'd make plans to hang out at the park or go to the movies with friends. Of course there was also countless hours spent chatting through AIM. The good ol' days.

The summer ended but we remained friends, continuing to chat on AIM. Occasionally I'd get to see Lennox if I stayed to watch a basketball game and his school was playing ours. Over that time our friendship continued to grow leading to Lennox and I becoming best friends.

Our High school era stories wouldn't be complete if we didn't mention our obscene amount of time spent in Mc Donald's on Union Turnpike. It was a place where so many memories were made while friendships also grew. It was as some may call it 'the hangout spot'.

As we approached our college era, Lennox would invite me out and I could tell he was still interested in being more than my friend. I was single (just keep that in mind/track of how many times I say it). I'll admit I friend zoned him.

Our lives took us in different directions and into different relationships, but we always managed to touch base with one another. Despite the physical distance our friendship always showed up when it was needed. Timing was actually always perfect when it came to Lennox and I looking back at it now.

Lennox joined the army in 2008. While driving on the Cross Island one day I saw a banner that was welcoming him home. I immediately called him and we made plans to hang out. I was single (are we beginning to notice anything?). We went to the movies and grabbed food afterwards. He didn't tell me he was in love with me.

Our lives went on again. When we checked back in it was around my birthday. I was single (are we seeing the pattern now?). We planned to meet up at my favorite bakery on Union Turnpike to place an order for my birthday cake. Lennox being who he is, wanted to pay for my cake but I insisted that he didn't.

Our lives once again went on. This time a little different from the last. When we touched base we were both single. We met at Cunningham Park to talk and laugh (he still didn't tell me he was in love with me). From that night we continued to hang out. From Lennox's perspective he was secretly courting me.

My dad had instantly grown a liking for this man that made me "get out of the rocking chair". We'd have spontaneous outings to try new food spots, go to the movies, events with friends, or just chill and play video games.

Lennox also had people on his side telling him that he needed to pursue his feelings for me. Which he would brush off stating to them that I was his friend. When we were together and it would get mentioned we would both just laugh.

I brought Lennox to a family gathering one summer day. Let's just say my family wasted no time and without any hesitation began to interrogate. Poor Lennox, he truly was just my friend at the time but they weren't buying it. We spent summer days driving around and nights in the car listening to music.

Sometimes we'd go to Applebees down Jericho Turnpike for late night appetizers. It kind of became our thing, until one night the waitress told me she saw him with another girl! Can you imagine the awkwardness after that. Lucky for me, we were just friends.

Summer came to an end and before I knew it, my feelings began to waver of friendship. We spent most of our summer together but still talked to other people. I spent the fall determining whether or not I wanted to risk our friendship by becoming something more.

Lennox's birthday came and he celebrated at a rooftop in the city. Although Lennox had a date that night, I truly was his desired date (he still hadn't told me he was in love with me). His designated date I was not a fan of and I suppose showed me how protective I am of Lennox. That night confirmed my feelings for Lennox and the intentions I wanted.

By the winter we made it official. We began to indulge in our love for traveling together, while also planning to buy a house in North Carolina (didn't expect to read that right?). We hosted a barbecue for our parents to meet and flew to Georgia to meet my dad. It didn't feel like it at the time but it definitely was a whirlwind, young love ...

C&L