my favorite love story: ours (part 3)

2018
The end of May rolled around and it had been quite a few months since Mitch and I’s last conversation. He'd spent the first part of the year rehabbing his arm in hopes of being ready for a second year in Iowa. I was anticipating the last day of classes. The days were getting longer and warmer. Freedom was just an arm’s length away. Mitch would cross my mind occasionally and I’d be curious how he was doing. But like I said before, no news was good news. We were both living our own lives, and to be honest, I figured our friendship was officially coming to an end.
 
On the 28th of May, my mom and I had just painted a white coat over my once bright turquoise bedroom wall, an overdue makeover. Mom was headed outside to spray the paint rollers off while I enjoyed a quick shower. A minute later she ran back inside. She briefly informed me I had a visitor and should put some makeup on and brush my hair. I didn't understand what the problem was. There was nobody that she would tell me to put makeup on for, and no one that wouldn’t just walk in and make themselves comfortable. I thought, why mom, are you being SO dramatic?! 
 
I threw on some mascara, combed my hair, and walked out to the living room. You guessed it. Standing there was a 4 inch taller, mustache grown, deep voiced Mitch. My heart dropped. He instantly grabbed me and gave me the biggest hug in the world. I couldn’t believe it. The first thing I said was “you’ve grown!” He told me he had planned to surprise me months ago and signed with the local baseball team so we could spend the summer together like we had 3 years earlier. My world started spinning and my heart was fluttering. I had my own issues to take care of this summer. Because we hadn’t communicated in a while, Mitch was unsure of where I was at in my life. We sat on my back porch where I had Facetimed him many of times before. He told me he wasn’t here to cause problems or overstep boundaries. I appreciated that and told him what exactly was going on in my life. We made it clear this was strictly a friendship and just catching up on the time we had lost. Eventually I had a room to finish painting. His best friend had tagged along (hi Jar!!), so with the extra help, we got to it. And that is how I got pink and grey stripes on my wall.

The day finally came I would get to watch Mitch play baseball again. Let me tell you, I was like a kid on the last day of school, waking up, getting ready for classes, knowing once that clock hit 4:00 I’d be headed to the fields to watch him play as if it was the start of summer break. The day seemed to drag on. Finally, mom and I headed to the baseball fields with Gatorades in hand for Mitch and Jarod. I was also carrying a massive grin…

Mitch was next up to bat, and as he stepped towards the batter’s box, his walkup song filled the stadium. I listened close and heard the words that still make me giddy today: “behind closed doors I’m a fool for your love.” And in that moment, I realized what was happening. And so did mom by the look on her face. Very smooth Mitch.

After the game, we discussed the bomb that was dropped. Again, we both agreed that we had things to take care of before seeing what was next in store for us. The next couple weeks, I would continue to go to class and watch his games, and he would spend time with his teammates. It wasn’t long before we just wanted to spend all our time together. It felt like we just picked up right where we left off 3 years before. The connection was still there, and we were definitely still best friends. We eventually got all our ducks in a row (and by ducks, I mean those old habits from Part 2) and decided to take our best friendship a bit further. After 3 years of laughter from all over the world and through so many different obstacles, we had managed to fall in love. This part still blows my mind because it never occurred to me we would be anything more than best friends.
 
Baseball season came to an end and both our bags were packed for Australia. This was my first trip out of the country, and first time on a plane since I was 12! I was insanely nervous yet excited. I was going to finally meet his family and see all the places we had talked about over the years. My life was completely changing and I couldn't wait for what was in store!

Until next time,
Tay

Taylor Thompson & Mitch Neunborn

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