5 Years Ago

Well, I can't believe it. 5 years ago tonight, (and I mean exactly...we met on a Thursday and our first date was on a Saturday) I met the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. It's hard to believe this time, 5 years ago, would be my last few hours as a single woman. I never thought I'd meet my future husband so young, but you can't plan life. So, let's go back and reminice about what happened that fateful night.

The story starts out with the fact that the previous week, I had just been dumped by this guy I'd been dating for like a month. I was really starting to like him and he dumped me totally out of the blue. I'd thought things were going so well.

So, I was really not looking for a relationship at the time. Matter of fact, the only reason I had gone to the country line dancing bar that I met WHF at, was because I had to write a feature article for a mass communications class that I was taking and the rough draft was due the following week. I honestly had no desire to go that night originally. But my college buddy went with me and we ended up running into some people that we knew. So, we proceeded to hang out even after I'd interviewed my subject.

My story goes a little different than Cinderella's though. My fairy godmother started her magic after midnight, when I was out on the dance floor and got run into (literally) by this kinda cute, goofy looking guy. We kinda chatted through the rest of the song (I think I tried to teach him the dance...to this day, he still doesn't know it!) and then I got off the dance floor b/c I was a little shy about the song that came on afterwards. (I didn't want to shake my booty in front of this guy I'd just met! Self concious!!!) So, after that song was over, I went back to the dance floor. And it was a good thing too...as he was about to give up. We danced to one more song and then he offered to buy me a water. (His move...he claims...get her off the dance floor so you can talk...smooth. lol!)

So, I said yes and we started chatting. I have no real clue what we talked about...but I do remember one of the things I mentioned was that I loved Disney. A sign he really should have taken notice of. lol! He knows now what it all meant! Ironically, we both thought each other's names were different than what they really were, thanks to all the loud music. Finally, 30 minutes had gone by and it was time to close down. It frustrated me b/c they usually play slow songs to end the night and that night, no slow song was played. It was months before WHF and I ever had our first dance ever. We exchanged numbers and we then went off in seperate directions.

What's interesting, I'd later find out, was that WHF also hadn't intended on going out that night. But when he came home, his parents were home and he didn't want to be stuck inside the house with them all night. I don't usually believe in fate, but this was interesting circumstances. Makes one kinda believe it might be true.

I didn't hear from WHF the next day until late. I had gone to a movie with my girls and when I checked my phone, I had a message from the guy I'd met the previous night. It was late by this time though, so I didn't call him back yet. Instead, I called him back the next day.

So, I called him back, but he didn't answer, so I left a message. WHF ended up calling me later in the afternoon and asked me if I wanted to go out that night. Now, I know what the "rules" are supposed to be...never go out with a guy on the same night he calls, but I didn't really have anything to do that night, so I said sure.

He picked me up at my house and I guess he impressed my mom. She didn't write his license plate number down before we left. We decided to go to Longhorn, since that was kinda a nice restaurant and it was something he knew. (He had lived in my town previously.) When we got there, I ordered the ribs, he ordered the....hamburger. Crap. Here I am chowing down like a pig and he just gets a burger! Little did I know, this was just WHF. (And I also found out later that just before our date, he had stopped at McDonald's for food!)

We had had a good meal together. And the great thing was that I felt no pressure. It was more of a, eh...I'll just see what happens kinda date. Not one where I freaked out about the whole thing beforehand. I did make fun of him for his bread cutting skills though...or lack thereof. This apparently did not sit well with WHF. He wondered who this girl thought she was making fun of him.

Afterwards, we went to rent a movie from Blockbuster. (Whew! I know what you're thinking...Big date! lol!) While I was there, I ran into a girl I'd known from high school. We chatted for at least 15 minutes, even though I was trying to end the conversation and she knew I was on a date.

We ended up renting Mr. Deeds, even though I'd already seen it and headed back to my mom and dad's to watch it. Thank god I'd already seen it b/c we only got through half the movie. All I remember about that night was that somehow we ended up making out. Which was ok by me.

At the end of the night, I was not head over heels in love...which I think was a good thing. It allowed me to see this relationship much clearer and made me not as desperate as I had been previously with some other guys.

I still can't believe I've been with the same guy for 5 years running. I can't wait for the day to come where I can say we've been married 5 years...then to say we've been together for 10, etc. All I know is that I love the man with all my heart and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

So here's to the future. May it be a happy one!