Enter the Panda
The time has come to discuss the mighty Panda, the boyfriend himself, Ash.
This is Ash ↧
So, funny story really about how we met. Originally we met through my friend, Ash was her neighbour and the year above us. Now, just for some context, our hometown has 2 secondary schools; a girls school and a boys school. When it comes to sixth form, the two schools merge and for the first time since primary school you were suddenly in a class with disgusting gross boys again. Ew.
Any who, Ash was her neighbour and that's how we first met. I would occasionally see him around sixth form and just like the other girls, I would look at him in longing. At the time I would never actually admit that I was attracted to him, what was the point in doing that? He would never be with someone like me anyway. Oh, FYI, back in sixth form I was rather chubby and had zero fashion sense or even knew what makeup was or anything like that.
So, whilst the other girls were rather vocal about how adorable and cute he was with his blonde hair and cool clothes, I just observed in silence.
So, about 5 years go past and of course, we've both gone different ways and forgotten about each other in that time. I had a few failed relationships, not many, just a couple in that time. I had been single for a few months and was actually pretty happy, wasn't actually looking for a relationship. But, of course, being single your friends try to convince you to use Tinder, not something I had ever previously used. I eventually, give in to the peer pressure. What's the harm in looking? Might as well have a look and see who's around, nothing will ever amount to anything anyway, right? Well, Lincoln was basically what I expected, a bunch of guys after just one thing and not at all my taste. I was told I had high standards, maybe but, I'm not going to talk to people who think the best things in life is going to Ibiza with the fellow 'lads' thanks.
However, I did decide to see what Oxfordshire had to offer when I returned home for the summer. So, one day I'm swiping away and who do I see? Ash. I did a double take, is this the Ash?! No, it can't be, well, maybe it is... So I double checked by looking at his profile and photos. Yep, that's Ash alright. Now, came the moment of pure confusion. What on Earth do I do?! I remembered how giddy I used to get when I saw him in sixth form, how he was so cute and a barrel of laughs and so full of energy. He still had that cheeky smile that I was so fond of. If I swipe right, he might not like me. But if I swipe left and say no, I'll never know if he does like me! Then I remembered, the one positive thing about Tinder is that if you swipe right and they don't they never find out about it. Which in turn means you won't get the piss taken out of you for liking a guy out of your league.
I swiped right.
Later that evening, I get a notification. It's a match! OH. MY. GOD. Like really?! Wow, okay then Louise, don't mess this up. No pressure. So we're talking and it's clear from the beginning that he doesn't remember me at all. He's asking me questions and hasn't got a clue who I am. Tbh I was a little insulted but, then again I wasn't. I look nothing like my previous self and couldn't blame the guy for not realising who I was at first because it had been a long time and I wasn't really a part of his life. So, I played along, as if we were complete strangers to each other. And then, he recognised me. Shit. I now had to come clean and confess that I knew him and pray I hadn't messed this up. Luckily for me, he wasn't put off. The two of us just reconnected and were talking about all the stuff that had happened in those 5 years. We first of all agreed to go on our first date at Bill's in Oxford. Neither of us had been before so, why not try it? Then, out of the blue, Ash mentions how he's always wanted to go on a picnic and sit in the sun for a few hours. Now, dear reader, this is my idea of perfection. I'm not a picky girl but, I had told my ex-boyfriends that 2 things I had always wanted was to go on a romantic picnic and to also receive flowers. None of them delivered on this. All of them promised they would. None of them did. Now, it's not like they didn't have time to do this, I was with one for 3 years and the other two for about 1 year and a half. More than enough time in my opinion.
Here Ash was mentioning a romantic picnic, claiming "It might be a bit cheesy but, it's always something I've wanted to do". So of course I'm mega excited and tell him straight away that's always been something I've wanted to do too.
We change our plans for our first date. We decide to go on a super hot, sunny day to a local lake and have our own homemade picnic; Ash supplying the sandwiches and me supplying homemade cakes for the occasion. It was perfect. We were both nervous, I was finally getting an opportunity to go on a date with the guy I never thought I stood a chance with. We literally spent the whole time together talking about well, everything. Anything we thought of, we spoke about. We even started discussing other days out we could do together! It didn't feel like a first date. It felt like we were a couple who had always been together. The connection that we felt as soon as we saw each other again was so strong.
After a few more dates, one of which to Thorpe Park, we decided to be an official couple. Wednesday 22nd June 2016 💑
Now, I can't remember the exact date that the following story happened but, I will always remember it. The day that Ash said "I love you" for the first time, which was the first time either of us had said it. I had been close myself already but, chickened out as I wasn't sure if he would think it was too soon. So that night I had told him that I almost said it earlier in the day, without actually saying it of course. He replied that it was a bit too soon for it but, he did feel the same too.
Now the day when Ash did actually say it. Ash had been at work all day and it was a hot, sunny day. I decided to cook him dinner; toad in the hole and dauphinoise potatoes. I knew actually what time he was coming home, so dinner was fully prepared and was due to finish about 5 or 10 minutes after he had arrived at mine. An ice cold drink was waiting for him, with a cocktail umbrella and straw to jazz it up a bit. I greeted him in, presented him with his drink and informed him that dinner was almost ready, with enough time for him to rest his feet a little and get cleaned up if he needed/wanted to. And it was that moment in the kitchen that he said "Oh! I love you!" Before I had a chance to reply, the phone rang. It was my mum. Worst timing in the world mum, thanks for that. My parents were on holiday in Devon and I was in charge of looking after the house. They were checking up on me whilst also recounting what they had spent their day doing.
Poor Ash had to sit and wait for the phone call to end to get my response. Of course, I told him that I do indeed love him too. Although my mum ruined the moment, it's still perfect to me. And of course it's rather comical.
I've since asked Ash about that moment and why he said it then. He told me it's because he was so overwhelmed about everything I had done for him, I had cooked a meal he loved, how the drink was ready for him when he arrived, how I had gone through so much effort just for him, to show him how loved he is and because no-one had ever done that for him before.
This is Ash ↧
So, funny story really about how we met. Originally we met through my friend, Ash was her neighbour and the year above us. Now, just for some context, our hometown has 2 secondary schools; a girls school and a boys school. When it comes to sixth form, the two schools merge and for the first time since primary school you were suddenly in a class with disgusting gross boys again. Ew.
Any who, Ash was her neighbour and that's how we first met. I would occasionally see him around sixth form and just like the other girls, I would look at him in longing. At the time I would never actually admit that I was attracted to him, what was the point in doing that? He would never be with someone like me anyway. Oh, FYI, back in sixth form I was rather chubby and had zero fashion sense or even knew what makeup was or anything like that.
So, whilst the other girls were rather vocal about how adorable and cute he was with his blonde hair and cool clothes, I just observed in silence.
So, about 5 years go past and of course, we've both gone different ways and forgotten about each other in that time. I had a few failed relationships, not many, just a couple in that time. I had been single for a few months and was actually pretty happy, wasn't actually looking for a relationship. But, of course, being single your friends try to convince you to use Tinder, not something I had ever previously used. I eventually, give in to the peer pressure. What's the harm in looking? Might as well have a look and see who's around, nothing will ever amount to anything anyway, right? Well, Lincoln was basically what I expected, a bunch of guys after just one thing and not at all my taste. I was told I had high standards, maybe but, I'm not going to talk to people who think the best things in life is going to Ibiza with the fellow 'lads' thanks.
However, I did decide to see what Oxfordshire had to offer when I returned home for the summer. So, one day I'm swiping away and who do I see? Ash. I did a double take, is this the Ash?! No, it can't be, well, maybe it is... So I double checked by looking at his profile and photos. Yep, that's Ash alright. Now, came the moment of pure confusion. What on Earth do I do?! I remembered how giddy I used to get when I saw him in sixth form, how he was so cute and a barrel of laughs and so full of energy. He still had that cheeky smile that I was so fond of. If I swipe right, he might not like me. But if I swipe left and say no, I'll never know if he does like me! Then I remembered, the one positive thing about Tinder is that if you swipe right and they don't they never find out about it. Which in turn means you won't get the piss taken out of you for liking a guy out of your league.
I swiped right.
Later that evening, I get a notification. It's a match! OH. MY. GOD. Like really?! Wow, okay then Louise, don't mess this up. No pressure. So we're talking and it's clear from the beginning that he doesn't remember me at all. He's asking me questions and hasn't got a clue who I am. Tbh I was a little insulted but, then again I wasn't. I look nothing like my previous self and couldn't blame the guy for not realising who I was at first because it had been a long time and I wasn't really a part of his life. So, I played along, as if we were complete strangers to each other. And then, he recognised me. Shit. I now had to come clean and confess that I knew him and pray I hadn't messed this up. Luckily for me, he wasn't put off. The two of us just reconnected and were talking about all the stuff that had happened in those 5 years. We first of all agreed to go on our first date at Bill's in Oxford. Neither of us had been before so, why not try it? Then, out of the blue, Ash mentions how he's always wanted to go on a picnic and sit in the sun for a few hours. Now, dear reader, this is my idea of perfection. I'm not a picky girl but, I had told my ex-boyfriends that 2 things I had always wanted was to go on a romantic picnic and to also receive flowers. None of them delivered on this. All of them promised they would. None of them did. Now, it's not like they didn't have time to do this, I was with one for 3 years and the other two for about 1 year and a half. More than enough time in my opinion.
Here Ash was mentioning a romantic picnic, claiming "It might be a bit cheesy but, it's always something I've wanted to do". So of course I'm mega excited and tell him straight away that's always been something I've wanted to do too.
We change our plans for our first date. We decide to go on a super hot, sunny day to a local lake and have our own homemade picnic; Ash supplying the sandwiches and me supplying homemade cakes for the occasion. It was perfect. We were both nervous, I was finally getting an opportunity to go on a date with the guy I never thought I stood a chance with. We literally spent the whole time together talking about well, everything. Anything we thought of, we spoke about. We even started discussing other days out we could do together! It didn't feel like a first date. It felt like we were a couple who had always been together. The connection that we felt as soon as we saw each other again was so strong.
After a few more dates, one of which to Thorpe Park, we decided to be an official couple. Wednesday 22nd June 2016 💑
Now, I can't remember the exact date that the following story happened but, I will always remember it. The day that Ash said "I love you" for the first time, which was the first time either of us had said it. I had been close myself already but, chickened out as I wasn't sure if he would think it was too soon. So that night I had told him that I almost said it earlier in the day, without actually saying it of course. He replied that it was a bit too soon for it but, he did feel the same too.
Now the day when Ash did actually say it. Ash had been at work all day and it was a hot, sunny day. I decided to cook him dinner; toad in the hole and dauphinoise potatoes. I knew actually what time he was coming home, so dinner was fully prepared and was due to finish about 5 or 10 minutes after he had arrived at mine. An ice cold drink was waiting for him, with a cocktail umbrella and straw to jazz it up a bit. I greeted him in, presented him with his drink and informed him that dinner was almost ready, with enough time for him to rest his feet a little and get cleaned up if he needed/wanted to. And it was that moment in the kitchen that he said "Oh! I love you!" Before I had a chance to reply, the phone rang. It was my mum. Worst timing in the world mum, thanks for that. My parents were on holiday in Devon and I was in charge of looking after the house. They were checking up on me whilst also recounting what they had spent their day doing.
Poor Ash had to sit and wait for the phone call to end to get my response. Of course, I told him that I do indeed love him too. Although my mum ruined the moment, it's still perfect to me. And of course it's rather comical.
I've since asked Ash about that moment and why he said it then. He told me it's because he was so overwhelmed about everything I had done for him, I had cooked a meal he loved, how the drink was ready for him when he arrived, how I had gone through so much effort just for him, to show him how loved he is and because no-one had ever done that for him before.
We had a wonderful 4 months together that summer. But, of course 3rd year of uni soon came around rather quickly. I would be moving back to Lincoln for uni and Ash would be at home in Oxfordshire. It was a day that we were both dreading. I think most people didn't expect us to last once I returned to uni. I can understand why people thought this, I would be busy with uni and we would be so far apart. But me and Ash knew differently. Sure, we both might have been worried ourselves, but we never once mentioned it to each other if we did. We've made it work, FaceTiming each other a few times a week, texting each other, Ash coming to visit me and myself returning home at Christmas for a few weeks. Although it sucks being apart from each other, we both agree that actually it's made us appreciate our time together more and we love each other more because of the distance. It's made us stronger. We've booked our first holiday together to Salcombe, in Devon. It's going to coincide with our 1 year anniversary and we can't wait. We both love Devon and both love the seaside. We don't need to go abroad to enjoy each others company, we just want to be together in a part of the world we love, with the other half that we love.
So, why is Ash called Panda? We once decided to sit and watch Kung Fu Panda 3 together. Although we're both adults, we actually favour children's animated movies to watch together. So Kung Fu Panda 3 was the chosen film on this particular evening, neither of us had seen it. 2 words, BABY PANDAS. MY WORD, they are ADORABLE. We were both "ahhhh"ing at the cute little fluff balls and proclaiming rather loudly "we need a baby panda to cuddle". It was at this point that Ash said he could be my cuddly panda and I could cuddle him as much as I want. You might think this is cheesy as but, I don't care, I love pandas and I'm a sucker for cuteness. So, in that moment onwards, Ash was my Panda. He has the panda emoji next to his name on my phone and I even have a panda Pandora charm on my Pandora bracelet.
It's actually because of Ash (Panda) that my nickname is Lemon. I love lemon meringue pie and lemon drizzle cake and basically, if it has lemons in it, I love it. My favourite colour is also yellow, because it makes me feel happy. And so, that is how I became Lemon.
With just about a month to go until we are once again reunited and together again, I miss Ash with all of my heart. But, I cannot wait for all our future adventures together, something I'm sure I'll end up blogging about! I feel extremely lucky to be with a man who loves me so much for who I am, after all, not all men appreciate a geeky, walking health disaster such as myself. But with Panda, he loves me regardless. All my health issues, not phased. He enjoys learning more about them! He just wants to learn to look after me for when I'm unable and wants to care for me throughout every episode I may have. He sits and holds my hand when I'm in hospital and spends hours talking about all kinds of things to help me take my mind off of everything.
Recently, Ash came to visit and whilst he was here visiting me, he entertained himself whilst I sat and did dissertation work. He cleaned the dishes when I fell asleep in a tired heap. Made me cups of tea first thing in the morning to help me wake up. Ash went for a walk one morning whilst I was still asleep and woke me up with my favourite Starbucks! (FYI, it's strawberries and cream). He even paid for my new glasses that I need because my eyes have gotten worse and I can't afford new glasses which I do desperately need. He is an absolute angel. Yes, we do have our ups and downs like every couple but, his love is so incredibly unconditional, I have never known anything like it.
Ash is so completely wonderful and I am completely, totally, ridiculously in love with him (even if he farts in bed).
A Panda isn't just for summer, a Panda is for life.
Lemon
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