Our first hello

"Where'd you learn to sing like that?"

When I went out for an after-work pedicure in my sweater and sandals, I didn't expect to meet someone who would change my entire life trajectory—someone who would one day know me better than anyone ever had and who would love me more than anyone ever would—someone who would make my life better, richer, fuller in ways I hadn't even thought to hope for. I didn't expect to meet that someone, but I did—the night I met you.

I'll never forget that night. Dark, rainy, but full of life as the bluegrass band drove the mood up in Hibernian. You were there, a cute blonde man sporting a West Coast look that was so obviously foreign. I saw you well before you approached, but judged the content by the cover and wrote you off. Even after you introduced yourself, I was wary—sure that this handsome Californian could not be genuinely interested in the drowned rat of a girl that had dodged into the bar during the storm. Little did I know you would prove every suspicion misguided, every judgment misinformed. In the mean time, I was flattered by your interest and remember consciously guarding my expectations in the following days, careful not to get my hopes up for fear of who you were not. Your persistance that night was mere foreboding of the perseverance you would exhibit the next few weeks—the perseverance that would contradict my expectations and woo my cynical spirit into the love of a lifetime.

Our first kiss

I was determined not to kiss you on our first date. I set the rule for myself going into the night because I needed to establish my thoughts before my feelings. I still remember your reaction after the second time I swerved a kiss that night—it was like you'd never met someone who had that boundary for first dates. Needless to say, it didn't last long.

Two days later, Hurricane Michael threatened Raleigh with some nasty winds and an onslaught of precipitation. Both of our offices sent us home midday. We were texting when you invited me over to work from your house. I could think of no better way to get to know someone without the pressure of mutually-assured attention. That being said, I had no idea it would go the way it did. I don't know if you were sneaky or just conveniently prepared, but I had never before seen someone transition so seamlessly from a work session to a spontaneous date night with the added complication of a power outage. From the perfectly tender meat to the candles and placemats to the evening walk on weather-beaten streets, you turned up the romance in all of the best ways. It was the perfect storm. How could I not have kissed you? You are romance and adventure, thoughtfulness and sponteneity, safety and intrigue—and my life is all the better because of it.

Our first trip

While we've now been on countless trips to far off places, our first trip together holds a special place in my heart. We had only been going out two weeks and I thought you were joking the first time you asked to come. By the fifth time, I understood your sincerity, but thought you were crazy to be so confident in your desire to come with me for a whole weekend.

As I drove out of town, I had this unsettling feeling, like I was missing something. I had just driven over Jordan Lake when I started texting you about coming. "Do you still want to come? How soon could you be ready? Can I pick you up in 40 minutes?" You weren't texting back, but I was already on my way back. When you finally responded, I got nervous. What if this was a bad idea? You jumped in the car and as we drove through traffic in Durham, you kept asking, "Are you sure you want me to come?" To be honest, I wasn't, but I had already driven back once, so trial by fire it would have to be.

Despite the crappy weather, that weekend was one for the books. From AMB Friday night to the Woolly Worm Festival Saturday morning to tailgating Saturday afternoon, your company was a welcome addition. You were so easy-going. Even when I got kicked out of the game, you didn't seem disappointed in the least. You were there for me, not the game and it was all the same to you if we sat out front of the Jones' House all afternoon. It was strange, but refreshing to have someone so bold-face interested in me without any of the typcial games.

That Saturday night when we went camping is still one of my favorite nights ever. It was you, me and three of my best friends. When I invited you, I couldn't have imagined it would go like this—you were goofy, sweet, relaxed, engaging and it was as if I was with my four best friends. I felt what you felt when we set up that tent. No words needed because our brains were computing on the same level and executing a shared vision in the most efficient manner. It was like you could read my mind and know why I did what I did at every step. We weren't just on the same page, we were writing the same story.

I left Raleigh wanting more of you and thinking I'd get more than enough. But it wasn't enough. In fact, it was far from it. We got back to town and I didn't want to drop you off. I wanted more of you then and to this day, that has yet to change.