So technically Cody and I have known each other since 2001. We were in the same elementary school together from the middle of 3rd grade on. I had moved from Texas to Tennessee at that point and Cody had lived here in Chattanooga his whole life. We also attended the same middle and high schools together. We were never in the same class together until 8th grade as far as we know. I always knew who he was even from 3rd grade, he was the kid playing wrestling on the playground instead of tag. I always found that strange, who wouldn't want to play tag?? In middle school the first class we were actually in together that we can confirm, Mrs. Porters math class. We both hated that class. From 8th grade on through 12th grade we were in probably 25-30 classes together but ALWAYS sat on the opposite sides of the room from each other. Who knows why? I guess preference. I always wanted to be up front and close to the door so I could make a quick escape if I had to and also so I could hear the teacher better.
The first class we actually sat next to each other in was 12th grade last semester leadership class. Even then I started out on the other side of the room and it took my friend to ask me over to that side of the room where Cody was. You see, in leadership class everyone acted like complete morons and ran away during class time so there was always only Cody, me, and another kid sleeping in the room during the 120 minute class block (longest block of the 4). So Cody and I always had a lot of free time so we started talking. We really got to know each other; I think Cody was surprised when I would ask a question and truly care, and ask more in depth about it. I was surprised of how much he seemed interested in what I had to say. So since late February to March we talked every day. During this time I think we both individually realized we were falling in love. I would start to notice that often Cody would ask a question and I would answer and after I was done talking he would still be looking at me well after I finished talking with this sweet look in his eyes. From that point on we signed up for everything together in Coach Garlands leadership class.
Now Cody and I always sat at the lunch table together, and one particular day before spring break, March 17th 2011 to be exact. Cody sat closer to me. (1 seat away). He asked me what my prom plans were. Me being bold as I am said, "Well i'm going and I already bought my dress but I don't have a date". So he proceeded to say, "Well lets go together!". I had been waiting to hear those 4 words for months!!!! I calmly on the surface but frantically on the inside said YES! So then I was really worried that that's all it was, a prom date. (I should have known Cody wasn't the type to ever want to go to prom unless there was a purpose). But after we got back to the classroom he asked well do you want to spend time together before prom? I excitedly said yes and he said great how about a movie and dinner after Spring break? And I said yes, and he replied, "It's a date!". I always liked how straight forward he was. So that told me everything. I ran home that day yelling at the top of my lungs up the driveway and into the house that Cody asked me to prom!!! So our first date was the weekend after spring break on Friday night and we went to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2. We of course didn't hold hands or kiss but had a great time! I loved talking with him! He was so interesting!
Our second date consisted of Cody and I getting him fitted for a tux with his mom at Men's Warehouse for prom. Our third date consisted of taking a walk at imagination station, eating dinner together at Outback steakhouse, and going to a school play! Our fourth date was a school talent show and there is where Cody held my hand for the first time! He just went for it and I had never been so happy! And our fifth date was prom! It was the day I truly fell in love and knew I had found my husband. Our 1 month anniversary! It was the most magical night of my life! Cody treated me like an angel. No one had EVER done that none the less even taken the time to care enough to see past the outside, into my heart. Something changed that night inside of me and when I looked into Cody's eyes I saw the reflection of the same admiration and love inside of me, shining from his eyes right back at me. There was so much love in his look I could hardly take it. It had to be a dream I kept thinking over and over in my mind. And every time we ran into friends at prom he would tell them he's with the prettiest girl there. Let me tell you what, to hear that and see how sincere he was and how much he really meant it almost made my heart explode! He truly thought he was with the prettiest girl there. We slow danced and gazed into each others eyes never breaking contact, just dancing. At that moment it was only us in that room. Later Cody took me home and we ate breakfast at 1:00am! On his way out we took a walk around the cul-de-sac and stopped at his car. He opened the door and turned on the music and said there weren't enough slow songs at prom and took me and started dancing. He held me like a delicate glass butterfly as we swayed to the music. The perfect songs were on the radio. After 2 songs he took me to my door and held both of my hands and kissed me! My first kiss ever!! His first kiss ever! (we had never dated anyone before each other) And after that very moment, we were inseparable. The next month and a half, we graduated high school and spent every waking moment possible together. I would come to his house to swim. He would help me run errands, I would play board games with his family, we helped each other with chores and we became very very close.
Then the night came where we had to go away to college. Cody moved to Martin TN 6 hours away and I went to Knoxville an hour and a half away from home. That was a very sad day. For the next 4 years we skyped almost every night and talked on the phone at every break we got during the day. Cody had a rough 4 years of going nights on end without any sleep due to football. I worried about him so much. He actually permanently damaged his body from that no longer being able to truly feel like he gets a good night sleep. And I had a difficult 4 which turned to 5 years of school with similar but different issues relating to engineering being the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life. We both had extremely tough nights were we would just call each other broken and the only thing we could do was air hug through the phone. When everyone else would go on dates around us, we sat at, for me my desk, and him his football office. alone with only homework to keep us company. Over the 4 years we had Christmas break together and a month of summer at the most. Other than that every 2.5 months we would only be able to spend ONE day together, and then start the 2.5 months all over again time after time. We were each other's shoulder to lean on, encouragement. As each summer ended and we knew we had another year coming up to repeat exactly what we just did were the saddest days of our entire life. Tears for days. It was like the pain of that of a break-up (if I could imagine) every time we realized our time was up and another year of torture and not seeing each other was just about to begin. After summer, sometimes I would sit at school and not even realize tears were streaming down my face. I didn't even care. All I waned was Cody. All I wanted was my best friend.
Towards the end of the 4 years a miraculous thing happened. Cody proposed! (That story is for another blog) That was one of the happiest days of my life! Te be able to call Cody my fiance for the first time instead of boyfriend in over 4 years was incredible!! I couldn't believe everything I could have every waned was happening to me. I has truly deep down inside with every cell in me was and am ecstatically happy.
When the 4 years ended, it brought tears for a whole other reason. I couldn't even fathom that I could see Cody practically every day! I was so excited I couldn't even speak. I just hugged him and we never let go. He would drive over after work to come see me and eat dinner! We went a whole semester like that on the 5th year, but at Christmas the tables turned. Cody could only get a job in Chattanooga. And that means distance. So we went from never seeing each other to seeing each other every day, to seeing each other every other weekend. It was difficult. Like ripping a band-aid off each time he pulled away. It never got any easier. That is where I am now still. After college graduation I am living in Knoxville for the remaining 4 weeks until the wedding seeing Cody every 5 days for one day. So that is workable! It can still be difficult because it's like I am done with this game called college and distance, and I just want my Cody. I am so ready to move in and wake up right next to him EVERY. SINGLE. MORNING. I don't think I will ever be apart even one night from him ever again. I think it's safe to say he feels the same way too. It has been so difficult in a long distance relationship for 5 years but Cody makes it so much easier. He is so wonderful to put the time and effort into 'us'. It wouldn't have worked out if we hadn't leaned on God and wanted and worked towards the same things. I can't wait to finally get to say good night instead of good bye. And this will happen in 9 short days.
I sit here and can not believe I get to marry my best friend, my soul mate. We worked so hard to get to this point. We worked so hard on 'us'. What people don't know is, my dangling carrot at the finish line wasn't graduation, it was Cody. And that was the single thing that drove me past my limits, past my breaking point, and past my hope in school. When graduation came and went, I was very proud of myself, but my eyes were always on Cody. He is my finish line, he is my future, and he is my life. I am looking forward to the wedding more than anything I ever have or will. I have been dreaming of right now ever since those lonely nights in the dorm freshmen year as my roommate had boys over when I was sleeping and there seemed like no end. But I am finally here. I made it. So when people ask when I am getting a job the answer is when I am ready. After I have become a wife and experience being a wife for a good little time. I have been waiting for this for a long long time. I will be Cody's wife and I will get to experience that before I start our next phase in life. Same goes for kids. This is my time with Cody and I think I deserve to be selfish with his time and his with mine. I just cannot believe this time is finally here and I am getting married to the greatest man alive! I am looking forward to the marriage so much more than the wedding. I have waited so long to be his wife, not just his bride. Great things come to those who wait. And all things are good in God's timing. God is good!
Love,
Kayla Dyar (Raborn)
5/26/16
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