About Dustin...

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."Albert Schweitzer

I have known so many great human beings,  at 23; I still feel as though it should not allowed that I have had so many wise and loving souls in my life, This is Dustin and this is how he changed my life;

I remember the day I met Dustin, Still drugged from surgery on his spine, With his charming sly smile he welcomed me to sit on my couch next to him then promptly started serenading me with the guitar you see him with in this photo.  He was wearing a Seattle Sounders soccer jersey and then after asked my friend Kyle and I if he could take a nap. Let me state that friend and roommate (Kyle) was very close to Dustin before I met him, that is a different story.

of course with that opening we had to oblige.

Dustin is a true gentlemen, he opens the door for all the ladies despite his attraction to any of them. He is so very kind, thoughtful and loving sometimes I tear up just because I am privileged to be a girl that not only gets the door held open for her, but he is my friend. 
Dustin is a smart kid I met him through a group of friends that all went to Gonzaga, one of our area's most prestigious of schools. I never thought that; I a kid that grew up on the wrong part of town, that went to alternative school just to graduate would be worthy of conversating with some of the most brilliant minds of our time. (though we are all a little Fu**ed in the head).

Dustin was on my side from the start, he saw my longing for belonging, but also my passion. he saw my kindness that others took for granted and loved to make me feel loved.

After not seeing each other for a while (he lives in Seattle and I live in Spokane). Dustin came to town for a visit! I was ecstatic to see my little ego boost. To be around someone who truly saw me and respected me for it. The night was so fantastic, we saw our friend at a local bar play with our favorite band (he plays in 3 different bands), Drank good beer on tap ate popcorn and danced! On a cigarette break Dustin and I parted together to the deck and began to catch up.

Out of the blue Dustin grabbed my hand and asked me" What is going on with you? How are you really doing?"

There it was, the switch to the flood gates...

Tearing up I told him about my relationship I was so unhappy, feeling belittled and used. Exhausted from my daily grind. My now EX-Fiance' Had MS and though he was still capable had given up long before our relationship began. Not only was I the bread winner, as a part time portrait photographer, I was also the wife, cleaning and cooking. A full time photography student,  and the errand girl, doing all the running around and paying the bills. Don't ask me how I even had a social life at this point. (I don't know).

He grabbed me and held me then kissed my forehead.

"Don't you know, you deserve to be loved?"

That was it, the next day I broke off a relationship that was killing me, that was taking the life out of me day by day.
That hardest thing was that I loved that man so much, Some one else had to show me my worth, and if it was not the man I was planning to marry, then plans had to change.

Dustin changed my life that day, not not because a handsome man gave a chubby girl a self esteem boost, but because he reminded me of the one true thing I know in this life. Love is unconditional-

I should never have to look for love, its all around me.

Since he has always been the same friend, the same gentleman I met years ago, letting me cry on his shoulder for hours and devoting his time spent with me to try to unravel my always over-sharing, endearing and insightful thoughts. 

There is no man like Dustin that I have met. Of course other men are kind to women like me but Dustin is one of a kind. He is a soul that suffers and sees suffering. He is thankful and Grateful for every opportunity thrown at him and for the little things in his life that he is already blessed with.

I want the world to remember their pivotal moments, to think on the times someone changed your life for the better. The people who inspire us to be better, be stronger and most of all love our selves along the way. Life is so tough when you are angry and hateful.

Remember someone who makes you feel loved today. 

and call them and tell them a story about why you love them. You will get more out of it then they do; I promise.

Thank you Dustin.
For your love and attention, for your passion and for your pain. Your love and wisdom will always be something that I look forward to, and your hugs! You make me feel like how I see my self in the mirror, which for most people can be diluted and negative, but when I look in the mirror I see the person I wan to be, the person who has survived and and triumphed through rough times and who can make anyone laugh, just as long as their willing to let their guard down.