The night I met the man who would six months later propose marriage at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, I immediately wrote him off as being too good looking for me. And proceeded to drink a lot and curse a lot. Classy. I had no intentions of seeing someone as hot as that in my future so might as well go out with a bang. I mean there he was in jeans, a blue button-down, rocking a 5 o'clock shadow because instead of running home for a shower and shave, he met his friend Drew for a drink before this semi blind date, set up situation with some chick he'd seen in a picture.
And for the record, in this picture I am holding a cocker spaniel with an antler head band, in front of a Christmas wreath and next to my brother.
Drew would later be a groomsmen in our wedding and to this day remains one of my favorite people on this planet. Even if he did try to tell my hot man he needed to slow this relationship down when told I was going to move to Texas.
Anyway, I'm glad hot one sported the slight beard. It tickled my cheeks later when he totally attacked me in the back of a bar and kissed me good and mighty. Or maybe I attacked him. He likes that version better and it may be the truth, but I'm not saying. Plus it was like 10 years ago, so sorry if I don't get all the details right.
That little stubble would turn my face read when we made out forever pretended to get lost in his little 1994 Chevy S10 pick up instead of meeting my cousins (the ones who set us up and my ride back). They were none to happy when we showed up late at the exit near David's house. His got lost excuse was kind of hysterical. Cousins didn't laugh.
I can't remember much of what we talked about that night - college football and my job in DC. I remember being amazed that someone could really be so beautiful. And telling myself that HE wanted to meet me after seeing that crazy Christmas card picture on my cousins' fridge. I remember the moment he walked in the restaurant, looked over at our table and smiled this huge handsome smile. And I was smacked with nervousness - shocking as I was 23 and nothing made me nervous. I knew everything, had conquered all my self-esteem issues (or so I thought until Mr. Hotness showed up) and after a year in DC I was an expert at dating. There was nothing to be afraid of. But when he smiled, I sort of wanted to run. I couldn't compete with that kind of charm. Or those good looks.
After that first night, I did something really crazy. Something I had never done before in all my sordid dating history. I called him. The next MORNING. I spoke to his mom (he was home from grad school for Christmas break ). He was leaving the next day for New Year's in Florida. And I was leaving two days later for New Year's in New York City. The odds were against me - he'd meet some hot Florida girl in Ybor City and I'd be forgotten. And I wasn't about to let a hot guy who kissed THAT good to forget me. So I woke him up.
On the phone, the morning after we met, he asked if he could come see me. In DC. He would drive up the day after he got home from Florida. And leave the day before he had to drive back to Texas. So he did. And two months later we knew we would marry each other. And so we did - 18 months later - July 5, 2003.
And it's been an amazing ride. He's still too hot for me. And I don't deserve him. But I'll call him mine forever.
Congratulations! Love the story-- it's funny how when you meet the man of your dreams, nerves you nervousness you never had all comes seeping out!
Posted by: Melissa (@adventuroo) | July 05, 2010 at 01:38 PM
What a gorgeous couple! We're so happy and blessed to call you best friends! Love you and happy anniversary!!!
Posted by: Nicole Johnson | July 05, 2010 at 01:44 PM
Happy Anniversary! Here's to many, many more...
Posted by: High Heeled Mama | July 05, 2010 at 02:48 PM
What a great post - you two are awesome and always an inspiration!! How can it already have been 7 years ago though?! Congratulations!!
Posted by: nancy | July 06, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Love, love, love your story! So precious. Yall are the greatest couple!
Posted by: Casey | August 27, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Oddly enough, I actually do remember the details of your "courtship" quite vividly...if you ever want a refresher! Miss you.
Posted by: Tara M. | August 28, 2010 at 11:59 AM