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3/27/2011

Thinking Out Loud

I thought about not writing this post, but I have a confession to make.

I cried 3 times this week.

The 1st time, I was on my way to work, crossing 42nd Street, near the Vanderbilt entrance of Grand Central. Forever, by Chris Brown was playing on my iPod (I like him when he's not beating women or destroying property or generally being an ass). The 2nd time, I was sitting on my couch, watching the Big Love series finale. Bill Hendricks (spoiler alert!) was dying on the ground, and using his last breath to ask for a blessing from his first wife, Barb. The 3rd time, I was in my office, reviewing a video submitted by a groom-to-be for a contest we are running. The guy was talking about his first date, and how he “just knew.”

At first, I couldn’t understand why I’ve been so emotional lately. I haven’t cried in ages! Besides, I just got home from a super fun trip to Wilmington and Philly with my good friend. My parents were about to come into town to meet my new little nephew for the first time. Work’s been insane, but is going really well. I’m still totally loving my iPhone. And, of course, Dancing with the Stars is back.

What could possibly be wrong?

Then, I realized a year ago today, I moved in with my ex-fiance. And all those things -- that entrance, that song, that show, and that first date feeling when you think you “just know” -- reminded me of him.

During my last week in the city, he brought me flowers, like he did most every Tuesday. If I’d known that would be the last time he'd give me flowers, I would’ve paid more attention to what they looked like. But I do remember that I put them in a glass pitcher because all my vases were packed.

Piles of cardboard boxes, stacked 6 feet high, were scattered all over my apt. So rather than order in that night like we usually did, we went to dinner at the Italian restaurant up the street. We shared a square pizza with double pepperoni. Our usual order.

I remember so clearly sitting across the table from him. I was trying to soak in every minute of our last day in NYC. Of course we’d be back, but never again as 2 people on the verge of beginning their lives together. It was such a HUGE step for me, but I was absolutely certain it was the right one. Even though we didn’t have a wedding date yet, we DID have a moving date. And at the time, that was all I needed.

He insisted that I hire movers, which was a good idea in retrospect. So I spent my tax return on it. That was like free money anyway, right? When moving day came, we decided it was best to divide and conquer – I was with the movers in NYC, he was with my brother and a van up in CT, transporting all our extra stuff to a storage unit. About halfway through the day, we met up outside his condo. He and my brother were waiting for everything to arrive so they could make another trip to storage. I hopped out of the taxi I’d taken from the Stamford train station, and I was smiling from ear to ear.

My brother would later tell our mom that he’d never seen me happier.

It was around 5pm that night when my ex finally came through the door. I was in his condo, surrounded by my boxes. He went for the couch and I snuggled in right beside him. I wanted to kiss and pop champagne. I wanted to jump up and down and celebrate. I wanted to take a picture to remember that moment forever.

He did not. 

He said moving stressed him out. So there was no kissing, no champagne, no jumping, no photos. Thinking about how crushed I felt that day still brings tears to my eyes. Obviously. And, as you know, it was all downhill from there.

Like I said earlier, I thought about not writing this post. In part, because I'm doing SO much better and dwelling in the past over a relationship that wasn't real is unhealthy. Plus, I haven't cried about this breakup since November when I was contacted by someone who was connected to him.  Hearing from this person was totally shocking, but ultimately reaffirming and kind.

It provided me with some closure, for which I was grateful, but it stirred up a slew of old emotions too. 

So to write about this relationship again now, all these months later, means admitting that it still gets to me. I guess the truth is, it does. But not in the way you might think.

What upsets me most, is that I’ll never get to experience that first time again. The moment I’d been waiting my whole life for: Two lives becoming one. To think something that carried such incredible meaning for me was treated so carelessly and dismissed so casually makes me upset.  And it makes me angry.

I'd really love to stop remembering these painful milestones.  Just wipe my memory clean.  Because even when I don't think I'm thinking about it, clearly on some level I still am.  Maybe it's inevitable, but I hope I just need to start making new memories in order to forget the old ones.  And then I can close this chapter. 

For good.

But for now... it helps to write about it.  Thanks, as always, for listening.


tags: breakup

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't dwell on the past. Realize that when you find the right person, it will be more magical, more amazing, and even happier - because the next time it will be right and you will know. You need to go through what is wrong to know what is right. And next time, when it is for real, you will know with every ounce of your soul.

Anonymous said...

Jen, and thanks for sharing your experiences. After the first year's worth of milestones you will find that the dates blur and the memories fade away, at least that was my experience when something similar happened to me. There will always be triggers but over time you will care less about them I guarantee you that.

jessica said...

You've got me with tears in MY EYES reading this!! Agree with the two people above: Next time (and there WILL BE a next time), it will be for real and forever; all memories of the guy who did this to you will be forgotten for good. MWAH!!

chris said...

I'm watching DWTS and thinking of you. You have come so far don't bother thinking of him, he is not worth it.

Anonymous said...

I think its normal to remeber whether you want to or not. It sounds like moving in with him was a really big step in your life & it sounds like he had some agenda going on & some regrets or worries that he should have spoke up about. Its to bad you didnt know before moving in but you know what "They" say about hind sight being 20:20. Dont let him rob you of doing this with the right person again & let it be special. Happiness is the best revenge.

Jessica said...

Not sure if you are watching Dancing right now, but of all things, Chris Brown is singing Forever. Sending you a hug. :)

Anonymous said...

I mean no dis-respect by this but do you think that he felt pressured to make your relationship more serious then he was actually ready for?

I ask because I was once in that situation once. After six years of dating we moved in together and I finally proposed to my Girlfriend. At the time I knew I did not feel ready to marry though I also did not want to loose her. I went through with the wedding because I felt like I could not back out but I felt trapped and eventually filed for divorce.

You may not be able to see it but in that respect maybe he did you a favor by having the guts to end things when he did. I wish I had been able to do the same.

Apollonia said...

ugh, what a heart-sinking, miserable buzzkilling post-move-in moment! sorry you went through this. but recovery seems to be shining through your writing. keep it up, sister!

Anonymous said...

who was it who contacted you ?

Jenny From The 'Brook said...

Anon #1, #2, #3, Jess, and Chris: Thanks so much all for your encouragement. It means a lot.

Kara: SO good to hear from you! Hope your move to NJ was the complete opposite of my move to CT. You deserve every happiness!

Anon #4: Thanks for sharing your story, and I'm sorry you went through that, but I don't think it applies here. If anyone was pushing to make our relationship more serious -- at every turn -- it was him, not me.

Anon #5: You should know by now that if I wanted to share who contacted me, I would have! Kinda like if you wanted to share your name, YOU would have!