How We Met

Three years ago this past weekend Joseph and I met for the first time. I wish I could say we were high school sweethearts or that he found me at the library or something cute like that, but really we met at a party when I was 19 and he was 21. It was really after a weird series of missed connections. I was at his high school graduation, but dating another guy. When I worked as an administrative assistant I used to go to Panera at least 3 times a week for lunch, where he worked. Both of our families are avid Fort Wayne Komets fans and his aunt and uncle were even married at a game. We had mutual friends and had even been to the same parties, but always just missed one another.

 It was the Sunday night of Labor Day weekend 2009. A mutual friend of ours invited me to a party with him and some friends. I decided to go and within minutes of arriving I spotted Joe. I thought he was cute, but also a little goofy. After a few minutes of standing around our friend introduced us and Joe made some sly comment obviously meant to get my attention. At first I really had no intention to talk to him, but within minutes of starting an actual conversation he had me sucked in. I was drawn to his energy and his out there personality. If you know Joe, you know he definitely doesn't hold back.

We parked ourselves on a couch in the living room and spent the whole night just talking. We talked about everything from music, to school, to family life. We had such a great conversation going we hardly noticed when everyone started leaving. He was so charming and interested and cocky and wonderful all at once. Suddenly it was after 4 in the morning and we were still chatting away. After a little flirting before going home he asked me for my phone number. I took the hat off of his head and told him that if he wanted to get it back he would have to see me again. (I know you are jealous of my smooth moves!) After a little more talking we headed our separate ways. As I climbed into bed I received my first of many text messages from him, and we haven't stopped talking since.

Even though we hit it off immediately, it wasn't a cake walk, especially for Joseph. I was 19, out on my own for the first time, recently out of some interesting relationships, and really enjoying being single and talking to boys. Typical 19 year old girl stuff. So, poor Joe held on for dear life for over 2 months after we first met. He asked me to be his girlfriend multiple times, did so much to win me over, and was there for me as just a friend when I needed him. We spent almost every evening together. I would go over to his house after I got off of work and if he wasn't working and we would hang out.  He made me dinner, sent me flowers, invited me to star gaze, wrote me letters, really the list of sweet things could go on. Finally in the middle of November I decided to take the leap and told Joe I was ready to be in a serious relationship with him, the rest is history and neither one of us have looked back.

Now 3 years later we're planning a wedding. It's kind of crazy to think about when I think back to our time of just talking and hanging out. When I first met him I couldn't even fathom dating, let alone see him as being the person I will spend the rest of my life with.