Andrew

I had loved Andrew my whole life it seemed. We met in college my freshmen year. He was a junior,and he had just transferred to KU from the University of Hawai'i. I was never quite sure just why he left such paradise for the plains of Kansas, but I am so glad he did. The 4 years we were together changed my life forever.1

The first time I saw him I was in the student union eating some dinner after practice with my friends. He was a table away from me, and he was blatantly staring at me. He was tall, and had brownish red hair and gorgeous brown eyes, and the freckles just added to his charm. He smiled at me, but me being self concsious, I looked away.2

"Aly, that guy is staring at me" I said3

"I know Liz, he has been the whole time we've been eating," she replied.4

From then on, til I knew his name, I referred to him as "The Staring Guy". Almost every time I was eating, he was there sitting a few tables down staring at me. Once he was talking with another girl. She was absolutley gorgeous, but as I took my tray to dump it, he followed me across the room. Much to my surprise, he was also in my Photography class as well. I found out his name finally, Andrew Styles.5

The first time we really met was at dinner. I was eating with some of my junior friends, and they invited him to come eat with us. He sat directly across from me. The gorgeous girl he had been talking to sat with us as well, but most of his conversation was directed at me. He had been in drum corps, and me being in colorguard, I was the only one at the table who knew what it was. With a smile, he assured me he could get me in to a World Champion colorguard. 6

As the days went on, we began talking more and more. We discovered that we both loved running, loved fried chicken, and loved Colorado because of the mountains and the amazing views of the stars. I began falling in love with a guy I wasn't even dating! Finally I got the nerve to ask him out to a dance, and he said yes.7

The dance was amazing. He never left my side. I had never felt so special in my life. Andrew made me feel as though I was the only girl in the room. The way he stared into my eyes unnerved me. I had never before seen a guy stare into my eyes quite like that. I had never felt so strongly about someone before, and I had only known him for maybe a month.8

"Liz, I had an amazing time tonight," Andrew said as he walked me back to my dorm.9

"I had a lot of fun to, Andrew. We have to do it again sometime, " I replied happily, "Well, here we are. I guess I should say goodnight now."10

I looked up at him. He stared directly into my eyes again, but I felt nervous and looked away. Andrew caught my chin with his hand and turned my face towards his. Then he kissed me. "Goodnight darling," he said and then walked away.11

It was at that moment that I knew I wanted to be with him for the rest of my life.12

We were pretty much inseperable from then on. We had many of the same friends, and we went on dates at least twice a month, if not more. Our favorite dates were when we went to this lake out in the country, away from the city lights, and we would watch the stars for hours cuddled on a blanket by the water's edge. Three years had never gone by so fast, and I was about halfway through the first part of my senior year. Andrew had a job working for a photography studio in Lawrence. We were out on one of our dates under the stars.13

"Liz, could it be more perfect than it is now?" Andrew asked me softly, "Here I am, cuddled up to the most wonderful girl I have ever met. I love her, she loves me. What could be better?"14

"I don't think it could be any better Andrew," I turned to look him in the eyes, "you are amazing. You are the best part of me."15

"I think you are wrong. I think it could be better, " he said matter of factly. I was confused at this. "It would be better," he said ,slipping the most beautiful ring I had ever seen in my life on to my finger, "If you would marry me. I love you so much. I don't think I could ever love anyone more...."16

My happy squeal shut him up. I felt like a fool squealing, but I was so happy. I loved this guy! I kissed him then, his forehead, his eyes, all over his face. Right at that moment, a meteor shower began. Shooting stars blazed down around us, like a fireworks show. It was the most perfect night of my life.17

But soon came one of the worst. Andrew had been having headaches. Not just little ones, but huge migraines. I finally convinced him to go to the doctor a little while after we had gotten engaged. He had just had some tests done, and I was in the room with him awaiting the results.18

"Hello Mr. Styles," a man in a white coat said, "I am Dr. Canfield. I have the results of your test, and I am afraid it isn't good news. You have leukemia, and it is at an advanced stage. You need to start treatment right away."19

"No" Andrew said in disbelief, "No, I can't have cancer. I can't get treatment. I need to work. I'm getting married this summer! I have to save up for that! I can't be sick. I am not sick, it can't be that bad."20

"I am afraid it is, Mr. Styles. I reccomend you begin treatment in two weeks. I have an appointment set up for you. I strongly urge you to do this if you want to make it as far as your wedding." the doctor said and with that he left the room.21

Andrew sat blankly. "I can't be sick. This can't be happening to me," his voice broke as he began to cry.22

I had never seen him like this and it broke my heart.23

"It's going to be ok honey, I promise," I told him, but I am afraid my own quavering voice didn't sound as confident as my words. I pulled Andrew close to me and we cried together in that room.24

Andrew began treatment two weeks after receiving the news. For awhile the treatments seemed to be working well, and we continued with our wedding plans. I am not one that believes that the groom can't see the bride in her dress before the wedding. I wanted him there when I picked it out. I had been trying on dresses all day. Andrew was such a good sport, sitting there while I tried on dress after dress.25

Then I found the perfect one, it was a strapless a-line gown with a black sash.26

"You look beautiful, " he said as he stood up. But something wasn't right. He looked incredibly pale.27

"Andrew, are you ok?" I asked him.28

"I'm fine Lizziebeth, I'm fine." He tried to take a step towards me, but passed out right there.29

I sat in a chair by his bed at the hospital that night as he lay sleeping, holding his hand. I can still remember the doctor's words. "He's taken a turn for the worse. It's hard to say how long he will live. We don't expect him to make it a year. Maybe he has six months at the most. You have to face reality, he could die any day."30

Our wedding was in three months. Andrew was insistent that the plans go ahead. "I am going to marry you," he said, "Even if I die the night after. I will be your husband before I die." I wished I could share his enthusiasm. He got weaker everyday. He had stopped responding to treatment. I still sat at his bedside every night, holding his hand.31

"Liz, come up here with me." he said, "You need rest, and this bed is pretty comfortable." He laughed as he said it. I complied with his request and wrapped my arms around him. "I love you, and just think, in two days we will be married."32

"Yeah," I said, not so sure he would make it that far. I had been holding out hope, and I had been praying. I wanted him to make it. I wanted God to magically heal him somehow.33

"You need to be more optimistic babe, I am going to be ok," he managed to gasp out. He was looking paler than his usual pale, and he was starting to have trouble breathing. "I am tired. I think I need some rest."34

"Ok, Andrew. But let me kiss you goodnight first." I told him. He smiled and I kissed him. It would be the last time I would ever get to do that.35

That night, my one true love, Andrew James Styles died in my arms.36

I am grateful for every moment I had with him. He made my life seem like it had more meaning, like I was someone special. He taught me how to have hope in everything. Even when the doctors told him he would not make it to the wedding, he held out hope that he would. I wish I had the faith that he did. I will never forget him. He will be in my heart for the rest of my life.37