I’m 22. I look at myself in the mirror, I look at my pictures from long past, and I realize how much has changed.

Ten years ago I was a fearless, spunky tomboy with bruised knees and baggy clothing. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have friends. I was convinced that skateboards, bikes, action figures and video games were enough. I told myself that being the class nerd and borrowing the max number of library books per visit would somehow pay off in the long run.

But sometimes I couldn’t help but think about how I might be doing this all wrong. I wasn’t hitting puberty. I wasn’t concerned with the boys next door. And I couldn’t make friends even when I tried. To top it off, I was the epitome of the ugly duckling.

Finally, high school graduation was around the corner. I would bet my life that I was the most anxious and excited 17-year-old in the entire stadium – ready to leave my small town and start anew. I nervously packed up my Harry Potter-sized room and slipped on my brand new UCLA sweatshirt, and I was convinced that somehow my life would finally change.

But it didn’t. My first two years in college were mediocre at best. I finally made a few friends, but none that I would keep in the long run. I could barely afford the basic necessities, and cans of tuna became my new best friend. On the bright side, I was away from my hometown that brought nothing but negative flashbacks, and I was finally developing and outgrowing my duckling days.

Before I knew it, senior year was months away, and soon enough I would be donning the familiar cap and gown. But too many nights I spent feeling empty, wanting more, telling myself that sooner or later I would climb out of my hole and let the sunlight soak in. I thought maybe graduating and taking a step out into the real world would do the trick.

I thank God I was wrong. I thank God that before my senior year was over, before it even began, my life took the biggest left turn I had ever experienced. I think it will sound exaggerated. I think people will whisper about how I’m just overly smitten. Especially since it happened so fast. But I know he shares my feelings.

It was summer vacation. August 2011. My co-worker and good friend, Tim, was moving out of his apartment and needed a vacuum bag from me. His best friend, Paul, just flew back from Arizona that night and was helping Tim move out. I heard a knock on my door around 11PM, and that was the very first time I saw him. I had only heard about him from Facebook posts, from late nights when Tim and I talked over dinner and a movie. I never would have thought that he was the same guy that would eventually turn me around.

Unexplainably, that night, I invited myself over. With nothing better to do, with summer vacation still in full swing, I grabbed my favorite board game and darted out the apartment to join Tim and Paul. I introduced them to Settlers of Catan, and we all talked about life while arguing over sheep and wood. Hours passed by until finally the sun was coming out. When we talk about that day now, Paul tells me how I was the prettiest little lady he had ever laid eyes on. I like to tell him I thought I was too cool to admit anything, but my heart blushed (!) when he patted my head, calling me “tiny” as he teased me about my height.

The rest of the summer was filled with adventure. I remember driving down at 6AM to pick Paul up, and we had breakfast on the beach. I remember lying down on our purple blanket and soaking in the smell of the ocean, laughing as we realized that it was impossible to watch the sunrise. I remember how he took me to Tim’s going away party, an endless night of games and bonding with people that soon became friends. I remember how he kidnapped me for days just to take care of me when I was sick and unable to help myself. I remember how he was there for my very first night out dancing as he swept my feet off the floor. That summer was filled with many of my firsts, and I realized how happy I had become.

Almost two years later, I feel like the luckiest girl alive. He has given me the gift of happiness – not just in his presence – but with life in general. He tells me how beautiful I am and just how much he has fallen in love with me every single day. And, after moving in together, I can confidently say that our life has only gotten better and better. While I’ll always pick up his random clothes scattered throughout the room, I know that he’ll always be there when monsters come to haunt my dreams.

All along, I was missing a friend. A best friend. A loving man who wasn’t afraid to show me that I have the strength to change the way I see the world.