number: the story of us

About a month ago I entered a contest on a website for free holiday gift cards.

I did not win. *Aw, Man!*

However, the rules of entering were that you had to write your romantic story.

I thought you guys would find this enjoyable.

Even if you don't, please don't tell me.

My narcissism really can't handle it today.

So, here is mine and Cooper's story by me.

bon appetite to the soul:

My father was an electrical engineer prior to retiring. In 1989, when I was four, he landed a job with a company. This took us to Augusta, Georgia for a time. The man who hired my father was a gracious and fair boss to my dad. This man had a wife and two boys- the oldest whom was four years older than I. Our families became friends, went to church together, and frequented the local Olive Garden whenever we had the chance. I vaguely remember the feeling of intimidation of this man's older son-after all, he was a "big kid" and I was just a little tiny thing.

We lived in Augusta for a brief period and eventually both my family and this man's family moved away. However, our families always kept in touch via Christmas cards. Year after year I watched as this man's older son grew and how handsome he was becoming. I distinctly remember standing in the kitchen with my mother the Christmas of my junior year of high school looking at this man's older son and saying, "Mom! Look at how cute this boy is- whoever ends up with him will be a lucky, lucky girl!!" However, high school boys quickly captured my attention and this man's son flitted away from my mind. Eventually, it was time for me to go to college. I chose a school in a state far from where my family was living. Little did I know, it was the same state that this man's oldest son was beginning medical school.

College truly was a wonderful time. I dated here and I dated there. I always wanted these heres and theres to be the relationship to last me a lifetime, but they were not. I believe I was too immature, too eager, and too desperate for these things to work out. The April of my junior year in college I received a telephone call from my mother. She told me that this man and his family were moving just up the street from where my family was living. My mother then told me that this man's son was in medical school- just 45 minutes away from my college. Then she informed me that this man's wife and my mother had already planned this man's son and mine's future love for each other. I told her she was crazy. "This man's son?!" I said, "Mom, give it a break." However, mothers do have a way of knowing best, don't they?

I kept on with my life for another few months. In fact, I dated a here and there that really seemed like he was going to be it. I had just started dating this here and there when I received another phone call from my mother the beginning of my fall semester senior year, "Daughter, this man's wife is in that town 45 minutes away right now, and she wants you to have dinner with them- she will be calling you in about 5 minutes. Bye!" She hung up. I was stunned. "But what about here and there?!" I thought. Then my phone rang. This man's wife asked me to dinner with her and this man's son. How could I refuse without being rude? I had to go. My roommates thought this was the most ridiculously hilarious thing they had ever heard of. They were laughing at my expense- "A blind date with his MOM?!" And that was exactly what it was.

I drove the 45 minutes. I got out of my car to see this man's wife beaming at me- thoughts of me being her daughter-in-law were dancing through her head. I braced myself for the awkward moment when I met this man's son...and then I saw him. He was even more handsome than the Christmas cards gave him credit. I was smitten. Here and there? There and here, who? The evening was lovely. I enjoyed myself. I went home happy. I went home content. Things I had never felt with any of the here and theres I had known. It was only about a week's time before this man's son called me asking me to go out...I wanted to say yes so badly...but the here and there kept me from doing what I wanted. I reluctantly refused to go out with this man's son. Needless to say, here and there and I broke it off soon after that. But this man's son didn't call me again...afterall, I had refused his request.

Finally, it was time for the longed for Christmas break. This man's son was there too- he was home on a break from medical school. I found a way to casually enter into conversation with him and inform him- ever so sneakily- that I was again single- ready for him to whisk me away and take me off into the sunset. Which he most definitely did. It was only one night before he asked me out again and I, this time, accepted. We dated for six months after our first date and were then engaged on July 8, 2007. We married exactly 11 months later on June 8, 2008.

As to date, the past year and a half have been the best days of my life. Christmas continues to be a wonderful time of year for many, but for me it is the time that I remember I got the best gift of all. And I was right about the girl who would end up with this man's son- I am a lucky, lucky girl!

...until next time...