Eighth.

9 months ago, we had a deal: That if we didn't have other people to spend Vday with, respectively, we'll spend Vday 2011 together on EK riding all the rides - as friends.

It's either we get to spend that day together as friends or we'll have our respective someone to spend Vday with, worst case scenario. Great thing about the deal? Either way, it paved way for a connection to be established between us - for us to nurture or for us to break.

True enough, we welcomed 2011 together on EK. A deviation from the deal was that a) we went to EK January 3 because we just can't wait and b) we went together not as friends but as XY...as one (ha ha cheeese). The latter's a sweet deviation, mosdef.

2 months in and we had another deal: That if we're still together by July 13th (before your birthday), you'll sing for me - your treat, your choice where, the two of us spending the whole day together. Here's the catch: If we don't end up together before July 13, I'll sing for you - my treat, my choice where, the two of us spending the whole day together.

It seems as if it was a win-win situation, doesn't it? If I win, we'll spend the 13th of July together and if you win, we'll still spend the 13th of July together. The thing is: 1) You do not sing at all and 2) I don't last when it comes to relationships after the 4th month.

It's the first hour of July 13 and we're still together after 8 months of ups and downs and up-ups and down-downs. With all of the good times and with all of the bad, we're still Person X and Person Y, the Awesomest and the Happiest, the Turtle and the Walrus, Ashley and Ria - through whatevs and 'til forevs.

Today's the 13th of July and I know you'll sing for me today. I didn't just win in the deal we made but knowing that I have you after 8 months of everything and knowing that I'll have you for life, it was more than what I bargained for. I'm the luckiest girl, really.

Happy 8th, babe. I love you. :)