[gophergirl]

I can't say I have a story as romantic as Kimmy or as exciting as Thess. Once upon a time ... we met in college. We dated other people then, but because we were in the same circle of friends, we both got invited to a wedding years after graduation. He called me up and asked me to be his "date." I didn't think much of it because we both knew so many people who were going so I said sure. We had a great time dancing and talking, but we didn't sit at the same table since he was in the bridal party and I wasn't. He left right after the wedding and I stayed to tour the city and make a vacation out of it. When I got home from the wedding trip, there were 17 white roses and one red one in my apartment with a note that said for our next dinner, we'll sit at the same table. I still have no idea how he got the super to put the flowers in my apartment. ... and they lived happily ever after. The End.

[mbechtloff]

i loved reading all the stories ... I'm still waiting to meet Mr. Right, but when I do, I'll be sure to share.

[angleigh]

Love the story Thess!

[DaveUK]

I was Set up! LOL

I had dated a girl from school from being 16 to a rather nasty split just after my 21st Birthday. Life went on and I was quite happy doing the "guy" thing, field trips, weeks away, sporting events (mostly involving lots of shouting and beer!). Back then I used to work nightshift monday-friday. I arrived home one morning, had my usual quick something to eat and went to bed, rising about 2pm.

I came downstairs and picked up the mail, sorting through the junk, and I came across a small, pale green, handwritten envelope. Now, the handwriting on this looked incredibly like that of the girl I had dated from school. In fact, the resemblance was uncanny. I was tempted to throw it straight into the bin, but for some reason, I placed the envelope behind the mantel clock (the place where all the "to read" stuff went) and carried on with my day.

Come the weekend, I decided to be brave (first for me) and have a look at this letter. Well, it wasn't from the person I thought it was. It was from a girl named Karen, who was a close friend of one of my colleagues. She too had been through recent split after a long term relationship, and had been told about me via John. She wondered if it was possible for me to arrange to meet up with herself, John and John's girlfriend at a local restaurant. Wow I had a blind date!!.

At work, I questioned John about this girl, what was she like etc etc but he remained steadfastly tight lipped and said - you'll see. So the day came and I spruced up in, what I thought was trendy, clothes and pottered off to meet everyone. At this time, I didn't drive and was reliant on public transport. Enough to say, I missed the first bus and arrived at the venue 20 minutes late! I stood around in the entrance waiting to meet my friends, surprised by the fact that they weren't there. I checked to see if they had gone inside. Nothing. A few panicky minutes went by and then I was approached by an attractive young lady who was dressed very smartly (if not brightly, it was the 80's!), and asked "Are you David?" I said yes and she replied "OK - you'll do, follow me". So off we trotted into the venue, found a table and waited for our friends to show up. After a while, Karen said she was tired of waiting and could we eat? I then had the most wonderful couple of hours getting to know this pretty (if somewhat bossy) young lady. We left and agreed to meet again a couple of weeks later, as work permitted. Needless to say we had a lot of phone contact during that fortnight! Besotted wasn't the word!. Well, the build up to the second date cost me a haircut, some decent, properly trendy clothes and shoes (with colours advised by Karen). First time I'd ever wore a pink and grey sweater!

We met in February, got engaged in August of the same year and were married in October of the year after. That was 25 years ago this year. Some of it has been a rough ride but I can't say i'd want to change any of it at all. Ever!

(P.S. John and his partner never showed up at that original date. I found out a long time later that, despite the excuse they offered, they never intended to, it was a set up! The three of them had arranged the entire thing! Just goes to show you can't trust anyone! LOL).

[Smiles]

What a great story, Dave!

[princessrunningfingers]

I'll add mine to the mix. Harold and I met at the skating rink. I was there with some friends, and he was there with some of his buddies from the Naval Base. One of my girl friends knew one of his buddies, and Harold made the remark that he thought I was cute, but I was just sooo young. (I did look young for my ancient age of 16). When he found out I was 16 he asked me out, and all I could think of was how my Mom would react if I came home and told her I had a date with a sailor. So, I invited him out to have dinner with my family on the 4th of July. I can still remember the shirt he wore that day. My parents fell in love with him immediately and it didn't take me long to do the same. We were married about 1 1/2 years later, when I was almost 18. This year will be our 60th anniversary. Time really does fly.

[Sara Arell]

DaveUK, on 17 February 2012 - 10:17 PM, said:

I was Set up! LOL

I had dated a girl from school from being 16 to a rather nasty split just after my 21st Birthday. Life went on and I was quite happy doing the "guy" thing, field trips, weeks away, sporting events (mostly involving lots of shouting and beer!). Back then I used to work nightshift monday-friday. I arrived home one morning, had my usual quick something to eat and went to bed, rising about 2pm.

I came downstairs and picked up the mail, sorting through the junk, and I came across a small, pale green, handwritten envelope. Now, the handwriting on this looked incredibly like that of the girl I had dated from school. In fact, the resemblance was uncanny. I was tempted to throw it straight into the bin, but for some reason, I placed the envelope behind the mantel clock (the place where all the "to read" stuff went) and carried on with my day.

Come the weekend, I decided to be brave (first for me) and have a look at this letter. Well, it wasn't from the person I thought it was. It was from a girl named Karen, who was a close friend of one of my colleagues. She too had been through recent split after a long term relationship, and had been told about me via John. She wondered if it was possible for me to arrange to meet up with herself, John and John's girlfriend at a local restaurant. Wow I had a blind date!!.

At work, I questioned John about this girl, what was she like etc etc but he remained steadfastly tight lipped and said - you'll see. So the day came and I spruced up in, what I thought was trendy, clothes and pottered off to meet everyone. At this time, I didn't drive and was reliant on public transport. Enough to say, I missed the first bus and arrived at the venue 20 minutes late! I stood around in the entrance waiting to meet my friends, surprised by the fact that they weren't there. I checked to see if they had gone inside. Nothing. A few panicky minutes went by and then I was approached by an attractive young lady who was dressed very smartly (if not brightly, it was the 80's!), and asked "Are you David?" I said yes and she replied "OK - you'll do, follow me". So off we trotted into the venue, found a table and waited for our friends to show up. After a while, Karen said she was tired of waiting and could we eat? I then had the most wonderful couple of hours getting to know this pretty (if somewhat bossy) young lady. We left and agreed to meet again a couple of weeks later, as work permitted. Needless to say we had a lot of phone contact during that fortnight! Besotted wasn't the word!. Well, the build up to the second date cost me a haircut, some decent, properly trendy clothes and shoes (with colours advised by Karen). First time I'd ever wore a pink and grey sweater!

We met in February, got engaged in August of the same year and were married in October of the year after. That was 25 years ago this year. Some of it has been a rough ride but I can't say i'd want to change any of it at all. Ever!

(P.S. John and his partner never showed up at that original date. I found out a long time later that, despite the excuse they offered, they never intended to, it was a set up! The three of them had arranged the entire thing! Just goes to show you can't trust anyone! LOL).

That's a wonderful story, Dave! I enjoyed reading it!

[Sara Arell]

princessrunningfingers, on 18 February 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

I'll add mine to the mix. Harold and I met at the skating rink. I was there with some friends, and he was there with some of his buddies from the Naval Base. One of my girl friends knew one of his buddies, and Harold made the remark that he thought I was cute, but I was just sooo young. (I did look young for my ancient age of 16). When he found out I was 16 he asked me out, and all I could think of was how my Mom would react if I came home and told her I had a date with a sailor. So, I invited him out to have dinner with my family on the 4th of July. I can still remember the shirt he wore that day. My parents fell in love with him immediately and it didn't take me long to do the same. We were married about 1 1/2 years later, when I was almost 18. This year will be our 60th anniversary. Time really does fly.

Beautiful story, Joyce! Those uniforms will get us everytime, huh? LOL

[princessrunningfingers]

Sara Arell, on 18 February 2012 - 08:24 AM, said:

princessrunningfingers, on 18 February 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

I'll add mine to the mix. Harold and I met at the skating rink. I was there with some friends, and he was there with some of his buddies from the Naval Base. One of my girl friends knew one of his buddies, and Harold made the remark that he thought I was cute, but I was just sooo young. (I did look young for my ancient age of 16). When he found out I was 16 he asked me out, and all I could think of was how my Mom would react if I came home and told her I had a date with a sailor. So, I invited him out to have dinner with my family on the 4th of July. I can still remember the shirt he wore that day. My parents fell in love with him immediately and it didn't take me long to do the same. We were married about 1 1/2 years later, when I was almost 18. This year will be our 60th anniversary. Time really does fly.

Beautiful story, Joyce! Those uniforms will get us everytime, huh? LOL

You Bet. There's just something about a man in a uniform, especially Navy, LOL.

[kimmybutton]

Love reading these stories!!

[Becster]

I met Dave in Junior College (Fall 1974). I had flunked out of Florida State *blush* and he had run out of money going out of state to a university in Texas. So, we both ended up back at home and taking a couple of music classes together. I thought he was an arrogant jerk, and he thought I was cute, but I wouldn't give him the time of day. He began dating someone else, and I already had a steady boyfriend from high school anyway, so it didn't matter.

In January he began playing piano for the vocal ensemble I was part of, and naturally we were spending a little more time together. After we all went out for breakfast one morning in between classes, we began talking about our boyfriends/girlfriends. I mentioned that I wanted out of my relationship and he asked me why I didn't date other guys. "I would if someone would ask me," I said. He replied, "Okay, you wanta go out?"

This was May of 1974. He proposed two weeks later and we were married in May 1975.

[Jenna]

I have enjoyed reading these. I will have to pop in later to include mine - glad to see I am not the only one with a longer tale to tell. LOL

[Ro]

I was at a dance at a music camp. I was with a friend who was a cheerleader (going to be a senior) of a big high school - super cute. I was only 14 - just going into 9th grade in a very small school - and didn't think I was much in comparison to her. So when this cute guy who was obviously old enough to be a senior (he was going to be) came walking towards us, I naturally thought he was going to ask her to dance. I was shocked when he asked me. He always says that my blue eyes did it. He was drawn to them. He still loves my blue eyes.

Such a sweetie.

[Jenna]

Ok, I have returned - get ready with a pillow, I can be wordy

I had sworn off guys entirely. My first love had moved away graduation night after pledging his undying love & promising to send for me after he had saved up a little start for us in Colorado. I heard from him only once that summer & for my entire first year of college I pined for him. I dated a guy in choir for a couple of months, he was to be only a dance partner (we both loved to close down the local bar on "18 & up" night). He wanted more but when it was clear I wasn't interested in that he stopped calling. When I cornered him about it he told me he had found out an old crush "might" be breaking up with her boyfriend so he was waiting to see what happened with that! I told him in no uncertain terms that I was nobody's consolation prize. A couple of days later I signed up for the delayed enlistment program with the Air Force. I was scheduled to leave for basic training on Feb 18, 1997.

In the mean time I was working at Chili's & dad mentioned that he had scheduled a chimney sweep to clean the wood burning stove. He had cancelled a few days earlier when my brother would have been the one to let him in. Now it was only me. I was expecting the "say no to crack" guy (saggy pants, plumber type I guess LOL). I was in old sweats, a goofy looking shirt I wouldn't have been caught dead in out of the house, & no make-up. To make matters worse I hadn't styled my hair (I had some odd Bettle bowl-cut) & I was watching Jerry Springer! In my defense we only got one or two channels & there was nothing else on...

I opened the door & I swear I hear that dramatic "aaaaaaahhhh" music. Backlit by the setting sun, this gorgeous guy with soot-streaked cheeks gave me a half smile & told me he was there to clean our chimney. WOW! He was HOT. I was NOT. I muttered something about coming in & scampered off to call my girlfriends & whine that I looked like death warmed over. While he was there we made some small talk, found out we'd gone to the same high school & knew some of the same people, but nothing major. By the time he was finished I had leapt into my work clothes & gotten myself presentable. As he handed me the receipt for the work he asked if he could call me sometime. After I picked my jaw up off the floor I scribbled my number on a paper for him & gave him a doe-eyed grin. That was December 8, 1996.

Almost a week passed and I was certain he wouldn't be calling. I was coming in from my late shift & the light on my answering machine was flashing. It was him! I called him back & we talked for over an hour. It was like I'd known him all my life, he was so easy to talk to. We talked about all kinds of things, even talking about our commitment to remain chaste until marriage & how we wanted our future spouses to do the same! Our first date was on Friday the 13th that December. We were together all the time after that. I even asked if he'd like to go to Alamogordo, NM with me for Christmas to meet my mom! He wanted to go but he was sure he'd have to work. They were booked solid for two weeks, after all, December was the height of chimney-cleaning season. The next day he called me after he got off work. "You'll never believe this, EVERY appointment cancelled but one & she rescheduled for tomorrow so I will be able to go with you!"

That trip was amazing, everyone loved him. My mom, always the one to reign my romantic heart in, actually told me that if we really loved each other we should get married before I left for the military! At White Sands, the day before we were to return to Odessa, I was watching the sun filter through a handful of gypsum & nervously said "You know what my mom said? She said if we love each other we should get married before I leave!" I laughed & then held my breath, certain I had scared the life out of him... he looked at me with that half-smile of his & said, "I was thinking the same thing." When we returned home he asked my father for my hand. In tears, my VERY stunned father asked if he could care for me, then he gave his blessing.

That started a whirlwind of planning. We prayed about it & ended up deciding that if God wanted us to be together the wedding would fall into place, if not it wouldn't work out & we'd know. My pastor required 6 mo of pre-marital counseling, he waived it because he knew my character. The first bridal shop I entered I described my dream dress, I was positive it was out of my budget but my aunt held one up from the discontinued rack behind me & said "Like this one?" It was my dream dress, just reduced down into my budget! My best friend flew in from college & had to trust her dress would fit & try on her shoes the morning of... they weren't even quite dry at the ceremony! The book my pastor insisted we read was not available anywhere. In desparation, afraid this was God telling us no, I called a book store one last time. They had it in & I rushed over to get it. As I was checking out they told me "God must really want you to have this book" thinking that was a strange thing to say I asked why "We have been out of it all week & people have been looking for it. This morning we were straightening the shelves in the self-help section & there it was, tucked behind the other books! As we were putting it in the correct section you called."

My church was the most worrisome obstacle. With over 2000 members weddings were booked 12-18 mo in advance. I called to see about February 8th & the receptionist said, with some surprise, that the wedding set for that day had cancelled just a few minutes before I called!

To make it official, for my birthday Bryan took me to the restaurant we'd had our first date in. They led us to the very same booth we'd sat in that night (he hadn't planned that!) & there were a dozen red roses in a vase, candles, & a beautiful card. After dinner he got on one knee & opened the box... to reveal a treble-clef shaped ring with the diamond my mom & dad had gotten married with! The whole place burst into applause & cheers when I said yes.

Everything fell into place, from the moment he looked into my eyes & said "Hold on for the ride" it's been an amazing journey. We married on February 8, 1997, two months to the day after we met. He was 18, I was 20... 15 years & 4 beautiful children later I would happily do it all again! He is an amazing husband, father, & Godly man. I am truly blessed.

edited to add that I had made a long list of what my husband had to be - sort of an "in your face" thing to God since I had not had fun times with men recently. The key points were that he had to be a virgin & a Christian. Two things that seemed impossible in a good looking guy my age those days. Of the 25 things on my "must be" list, Bryan met all but one of them... and that one, that he love to ski, he fulfilled our first year in CA on the slopes of Lake Tahoe! God works in mysterious ways. When I stopped looking, He literally sent love knocking on my door!

[Belle]

That's an awesome story Jenna.

[scrappyjan]

Oh these stories are all so great to read! Okay, so here's my story. I married my first husband when I was only sixteen - thirteen years and two children later we had both grown into different people and had absolutely nothing in common anymore. We were both unhappy and decided to divorce. I was working at that time as an accountant for a small engineering company and over the following few months I became drawn to one of the guys working there as an engineer. Paul made me laugh so much with his crazy sense of humour and silly antics and it really didn't take long for me to fall for him, hook, line and sinker. He told me that he'd hated seeing me so unhappy and had made it his mission to put a smile on my face - he certainly did that!
Everyone told me it wouldn't last, even my parents - I was a 29yr old soon-to-be divorcee with two kids, he was seven years younger than me (22, just a baby, lol), single and still living at home with his parents. I didn't care what they said - I was happy to live for the moment, he made me laugh until my sides ached!
I gradually introduced him to the kids and they all loved him too. We "courted" for 2 years before the kids made the suggestion that he moved in with us! We then married three years later.
So here we are, 29 years on from our first date and he's still making me laugh. Next year we celebrate our silver wedding anniversary and intend to re-take our vows. Who said it wouldn't last?

[Belle]

That's a lovely story Jan.

[Jenna]

That's a great story, Jan. People were certain we wouldn't last either. He is still my best friend & I can't imagine life without him. LOL

[Sara Arell]

Jenna, on 24 February 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

Ok, I have returned - get ready with a pillow, I can be wordy

I had sworn off guys entirely. My first love had moved away graduation night after pledging his undying love & promising to send for me after he had saved up a little start for us in Colorado. I heard from him only once that summer & for my entire first year of college I pined for him. I dated a guy in choir for a couple of months, he was to be only a dance partner (we both loved to close down the local bar on "18 & up" night). He wanted more but when it was clear I wasn't interested in that he stopped calling. When I cornered him about it he told me he had found out an old crush "might" be breaking up with her boyfriend so he was waiting to see what happened with that! I told him in no uncertain terms that I was nobody's consolation prize. A couple of days later I signed up for the delayed enlistment program with the Air Force. I was scheduled to leave for basic training on Feb 18, 1997.

In the mean time I was working at Chili's & dad mentioned that he had scheduled a chimney sweep to clean the wood burning stove. He had cancelled a few days earlier when my brother would have been the one to let him in. Now it was only me. I was expecting the "say no to crack" guy (saggy pants, plumber type I guess LOL). I was in old sweats, a goofy looking shirt I wouldn't have been caught dead in out of the house, & no make-up. To make matters worse I hadn't styled my hair (I had some odd Bettle bowl-cut) & I was watching Jerry Springer! In my defense we only got one or two channels & there was nothing else on...

I opened the door & I swear I hear that dramatic "aaaaaaahhhh" music. Backlit by the setting sun, this gorgeous guy with soot-streaked cheeks gave me a half smile & told me he was there to clean our chimney. WOW! He was HOT. I was NOT. I muttered something about coming in & scampered off to call my girlfriends & whine that I looked like death warmed over. While he was there we made some small talk, found out we'd gone to the same high school & knew some of the same people, but nothing major. By the time he was finished I had leapt into my work clothes & gotten myself presentable. As he handed me the receipt for the work he asked if he could call me sometime. After I picked my jaw up off the floor I scribbled my number on a paper for him & gave him a doe-eyed grin. That was December 8, 1996.

Almost a week passed and I was certain he wouldn't be calling. I was coming in from my late shift & the light on my answering machine was flashing. It was him! I called him back & we talked for over an hour. It was like I'd known him all my life, he was so easy to talk to. We talked about all kinds of things, even talking about our commitment to remain chaste until marriage & how we wanted our future spouses to do the same! Our first date was on Friday the 13th that December. We were together all the time after that. I even asked if he'd like to go to Alamogordo, NM with me for Christmas to meet my mom! He wanted to go but he was sure he'd have to work. They were booked solid for two weeks, after all, December was the height of chimney-cleaning season. The next day he called me after he got off work. "You'll never believe this, EVERY appointment cancelled but one & she rescheduled for tomorrow so I will be able to go with you!"

That trip was amazing, everyone loved him. My mom, always the one to reign my romantic heart in, actually told me that if we really loved each other we should get married before I left for the military! At White Sands, the day before we were to return to Odessa, I was watching the sun filter through a handful of gypsum & nervously said "You know what my mom said? She said if we love each other we should get married before I leave!" I laughed & then held my breath, certain I had scared the life out of him... he looked at me with that half-smile of his & said, "I was thinking the same thing." When we returned home he asked my father for my hand. In tears, my VERY stunned father asked if he could care for me, then he gave his blessing.

That started a whirlwind of planning. We prayed about it & ended up deciding that if God wanted us to be together the wedding would fall into place, if not it wouldn't work out & we'd know. My pastor required 6 mo of pre-marital counseling, he waived it because he knew my character. The first bridal shop I entered I described my dream dress, I was positive it was out of my budget but my aunt held one up from the discontinued rack behind me & said "Like this one?" It was my dream dress, just reduced down into my budget! My best friend flew in from college & had to trust her dress would fit & try on her shoes the morning of... they weren't even quite dry at the ceremony! The book my pastor insisted we read was not available anywhere. In desparation, afraid this was God telling us no, I called a book store one last time. They had it in & I rushed over to get it. As I was checking out they told me "God must really want you to have this book" thinking that was a strange thing to say I asked why "We have been out of it all week & people have been looking for it. This morning we were straightening the shelves in the self-help section & there it was, tucked behind the other books! As we were putting it in the correct section you called."

My church was the most worrisome obstacle. With over 2000 members weddings were booked 12-18 mo in advance. I called to see about February 8th & the receptionist said, with some surprise, that the wedding set for that day had cancelled just a few minutes before I called!

To make it official, for my birthday Bryan took me to the restaurant we'd had our first date in. They led us to the very same booth we'd sat in that night (he hadn't planned that!) & there were a dozen red roses in a vase, candles, & a beautiful card. After dinner he got on one knee & opened the box... to reveal a treble-clef shaped ring with the diamond my mom & dad had gotten married with! The whole place burst into applause & cheers when I said yes.

Everything fell into place, from the moment he looked into my eyes & said "Hold on for the ride" it's been an amazing journey. We married on February 8, 1997, two months to the day after we met. He was 18, I was 20... 15 years & 4 beautiful children later I would happily do it all again! He is an amazing husband, father, & Godly man. I am truly blessed.

edited to add that I had made a long list of what my husband had to be - sort of an "in your face" thing to God since I had not had fun times with men recently. The key points were that he had to be a virgin & a Christian. Two things that seemed impossible in a good looking guy my age those days. Of the 25 things on my "must be" list, Bryan met all but one of them... and that one, that he love to ski, he fulfilled our first year in CA on the slopes of Lake Tahoe! God works in mysterious ways. When I stopped looking, He literally sent love knocking on my door!

What a wonderful story, Jenna - I enjoyed reading every single word of it!

[Sara Arell]

It is so much fun to read about how everyone met their true loves! These are all fabulous love stories!

[gophergirl]

princessrunningfingers, on 18 February 2012 - 07:25 AM, said:

I'll add mine to the mix. Harold and I met at the skating rink. I was there with some friends, and he was there with some of his buddies from the Naval Base. One of my girl friends knew one of his buddies, and Harold made the remark that he thought I was cute, but I was just sooo young. (I did look young for my ancient age of 16). When he found out I was 16 he asked me out, and all I could think of was how my Mom would react if I came home and told her I had a date with a sailor. So, I invited him out to have dinner with my family on the 4th of July. I can still remember the shirt he wore that day. My parents fell in love with him immediately and it didn't take me long to do the same. We were married about 1 1/2 years later, when I was almost 18. This year will be our 60th anniversary. Time really does fly.

60 Years, that is awesome Joyce! It's really something special to celebrate!

[Betsy]

We lived right next door to each other freshman year of college. Inseparable since about the 2nd week of school. We've been together 18 years, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this summer!

[Sara Arell]

Jenna, on 25 February 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

That's a great story, Jan. People were certain we wouldn't last either. He is still my best friend & I can't imagine life without him. LOL

Rich's sister said right from the beginning that we would never last - she was into horoscopes and such and since I was a Capricorn and Rich, a Scorpio, she said we wouldn't make it! Guess we fooled her - 45 years this past December! I wonder if she's still into horoscopes? LOL LOL

[Happycamper]

Well...this started when we were 17. We both worked after school jobs at the movie theater. We started dating and were married 6 months later. I know people thought there probably was a reason we married sooo young and that it would never last... but quess what, we celebrate our 47th anniversary this coming April.. We were very, very lucky, but also it takes alot of hard work to make a relationship work~~~

[scrappyjan]

Sara Arell, on 29 February 2012 - 01:11 AM, said:

Jenna, on 25 February 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

That's a great story, Jan. People were certain we wouldn't last either. He is still my best friend & I can't imagine life without him. LOL

Rich's sister said right from the beginning that we would never last - she was into horoscopes and such and since I was a Capricorn and Rich, a Scorpio, she said we wouldn't make it! Guess we fooled her - 45 years this past December! I wonder if she's still into horoscopes? LOL LOL

Hey Sara, I'm a Scorpio and Paul is a Capricorn

[ladyanne101]

After dating some one for 7 years and being engaged for 4 years I decide enough was enough..I gave up. I went out with a friend after work but she had to go home early and I didn't want to go home yet so I stopped by a local pub just to have a glass of wine. I was living with my brother and his wife and kids at the time and I was 29. (I moved in with them to take care of my dad who did pass away but I ended up staying with my brother) I usually don't make a habit of going into a pub alone or even at all but I just felt like being out and not stuck home thinking of the years I wasted waiting for someone who didn't want me.
Well I do this thing ..when entering a pub..I check out who is at the bar and pick a place that is most comfortable and safe. I looked at one end..and a bunch of guys that looked like contractors where there grouped together talking and drinking, so nope that wasn't happening..married..or on the make. The other side was a couple smooching it up..nope...not wanting to interfere there either lol. Then in the center was this young guy and his funny looking friend..so I sat next to the guy that didn't look so funny. He had the nicest long brown hair and I loved long hair back in those days so I figure..yeah he is safe. I sat down and ordered Harvey's bristol cream sherry and within a few minutes the guy with the long hair scooted over and ask "WHAT is that your drinking?" sort of with a chuckle..because mostly beer drinkers and shooter drinks I guess went there..sort of a biker place..lol. Anyway..I told him and we started talking..I ended up talking for hours to him ..about music and books and life and everything from soup to nuts. I felt so relaxed and happy for one of the first times in my life. We decided to go to a steakhouse/pub after a few hours and after we got there..Curt (yep my dh now) went to the bar to bring me a soda (I switched as I had to drive) when he came back..he handed me a my soda and leaned in and kissed me..then said.." I HAVE BEEN WAITING ALL NIGHT TO DO THAT" well I melted..om I know it was a line..although he swears to this day he swears it wasn't. I ended up driving him home in the wee hours of the morning promising him to see him the next day. I had to work again ..and he was off so we agree to meet in the same place. I went to meet him and we went back to where he was staying, which at the time was a very old rustic inn and bar. He worked there as BARTENDER..lol He and his mom managed the place..lol. I knew from the moment he kissed me I was doomed..he proposed a week later and I said YES..lol We married 3 months to the day later..and been together or almost 23 years later. 3 kids..lots of pets..all good times..lots of music..(he was also a vinyl album collector) No complaints..or atleast not any to speak of..still in love ..