First Anniversary: Part 2

**If you haven't read Part 1 already, you really should: you'll understand Part 2 a lot better.**

Just as quickly as things began, they ended. One minute, Art and Jenene were practically a couple. The next, they were barely friends. Jenene knew that she and Art could not be friends; as difficult at that would be, they knew it was necessary to be apart completely. They needed to let their feelings settle down and subside.

As if things weren't already bad enough, it would inevitably get worse before it got better. Soon after Art and Jenene had ended their friendship, Art began another friendship with another girl. And since nothing can be kept a secret at a small bible college, it quickly became general knowledge that the Other Girl fancied Art.

And since they were spending a considerable amount of time together, everyone (including Jenene) assumed that Art liked her back. Jenene became very jealous, and downright furious. Art had told her that he wasn't going to pursue any relationships that year, but that's exactly what it looked like he was doing.

And so the year continued. Jenene held onto her assumptions that Art left her for another girl, and she would not admit to anyone (not even herself) that she had never quite gotten over him. And Art had to live with his assumptions that he had made some terrible unknown mistake, and that Jenene hated him and would never forgive him.

It was nearing the end of the school year. Jenene would be graduating soon, and then she would be going home for good. Art and the Other Girl were finishing their first year, so they would both be returning to the college for the next year. Jenene tried to convince herself that this was God's plan. She should go home and forget about Art, because he and the Other Girl belonged together.

But something changed, this time for the better: Art and Jenene, knowing that they had little time left, started becoming friends again! Jenene couldn't believe that he was actually paying attention to her. Art couldn't believe that she was speaking to him. By the time Jenene had to leave, they had more or less reconciled their friendship. But they still had to say good-bye.

If only they had known each other's thoughts. They both wanted to say what they were feeling, but neither thought that it would do any good. It was too late. The year was over.
Their belongings were packed, and both left for their respective homes.

Only then did Jenene finally admit to herself that she was in love with Art. But it was no use. They would never see each other again. Or so they thought.

Thank goodness for a lovely little thing called MSN. As soon as Jenene got home, she and Art began chatting online. They had long conversations, and talked every possible minute that they could. Jenene knew that this wasn't exactly helping her get over him, but it was too tempting. She liked him too much, and if he wanted to talk, she wasn't about to say no.

They finally got onto the topic of their friendship, and the relationship that didn't quite happen. You can imagine their complete shock when the full truth was finally revealed: Art had never liked that Other Girl, Jenene had never hated him. They found out that they had been crazy about each other the whole year, but thought that it was too late.

Art wasn't about to let another opportunity pass him by: he told Jenene right then and there that letting her go was the biggest mistake of his life, and that if she gave him another chance, he would hang onto her forever.

Some might consider that a heavy statement, but this was Jenene wanted. It was what she needed. She didn't want any maybes. She didn't want any uncertainties. For her and Art, it was all or nothing. Jenene said yes. She jumped in with both feet, determined to do things right this time, and determined to make it last forever.

Art demonstrated his love for Jenene right from the start, and she couldn't help but love him back. On July 11, 2006, Art asked Jenene to be his girlfriend. On July 12, 2006, they shared their first kiss. On July 16, 2006, Art and Jenene said "I love you" for the first time. And they were more than ready.

It has been a long year. Countless emails have been exchanged, and many many hours have been spent talking to each other on the phone. And everyday, they do the best they can to love each other from a distance, and just hang on until the next time they can see each other.

One long, incredible year has past. Only one more year to go, and then Art and Jenene can be together forever. Happy Anniversary, my dearest Arthur. I love you!!