When I was asked to share my love story, I giggled.
See, my husband and I have a joke that we met through a mutual friend, but this is the real story.
On a whim and dare, I posted an ad on Yahoo! Personals, and while this might not sound like a big deal, back in 1999 it was a big deal. This was WAY before Match.com and Eharmony; this was cutting edge and fodder for Dateline specials, not the way you were supposed to meet Mr. Right.
The first question everyone asks is why did I do it?
Well, I was bored at work, and I was curious.
I vaguely remember what I wrote. It was something like this:
“I’m a social butterfly who likes to dance the night away, but would be just as content hanging out at home watching Real World marathons and eating takeout Chinese food, etc.”
I also mentioned that I looked like Laura Leighton (you know Sydney from Melrose Place).
A couple of days later I checked to see if I had any responses, and nada, nothing, zip, zero, zilch. “See,” I told my friend, “these stupid things don’t work.” Famous last words, because when I checked it a week later I had over 100 responses.
It was pretty easy to weed through the weirdos.
Here’s the criteria.
Send me a naked photo, can’t form a sentence, spell or only write a two word response and you’re history! Oh and they had to live in the Midwest; I wasn’t traveling to Australia to meet someone.
After that, I was left with a handful of potential possibilities. I decided to take the plunge and meet a couple of them…ummm, yeah. Not my type AT ALL!!!
During this time there was one response that I kept going back to and reading over and over. So after a VERY long time, I wrote him back and we kept writing. Sharing the common questions about family, music, where you’re from, etc. I remember I’d get so excited each time there was an e-mail from him in my inbox.
After numerous e-mails we upped the ante and decided to exchange photos. This threw me for a loop, because I had no clue what I would do if,
1. I didn’t find him attractive or
2. If he didn’t find me attractive.
Not that I’m a shallow person, but there has to be some chemistry … right?
Well, this is what came to me in my e-mail.
Woot, woot! He’s hot! So no worries on my end, but then he had to see mine.
Ok, so I got LOTS of crap for this pic, because it was only a headshot. But he must have liked what he saw because we set up a date, and ironically it was on Valentine’s Day (no pressure).
Word to the wise I did EVERYTHING wrong in preparation of that date. I gave him my phone number, had him pick me up at my apartment and drove alone with him from CR to IC. Can we say potential Dateline story here…YIKES!
But all ended well and from that day on we were inseparable.
However, our Valentine’s Day love story doesn’t end there, because two years later on the Saturday after Valentine’s Day, B2 proposed. Why not on Valentine’s Day? Just to make me squirm and because it’s so cliche’.
Twelve years ago on June 1 we tied the knot, and it’s been a crazy wild ride, but there is truly no one else I’d rather travel with than this guy.
Happy Father’s Day, my love. I’m so glad the internet led me to you.
I like your wedding picture! 🙂