January 17, 1981. It was a cold and snowy day. She had been spending the day primping and getting ready for this date. They were introduced by a lady they worked with, but they had never met each other. She worked days in one building and he worked nights in another, so their paths had never crossed. They had spoken on the phone several times once their mutual friend told him about her.
She was very nervous. She had been divorced for 3 years and had never been on a date in all that time. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this, but he seemed so sweet and nice on the phone and she was really looking forward to it. Her best friend, Becky, was coming up to spend the night and babysit the twins.
As she is getting ready, she is getting worried. The snow started earlier in the day and was slowly accumulating. They had received about 4" and she lived up a steep hill that had not been treated. Would he come? Would he want to brave this weather for a date with somebody he has only "met" over the phone? Time would tell.
As the evening approaches, she hears a car coming up the hill. It is him. He has made it. It takes a brave soul to come out on a night like this to see someone he doesn't even really know yet.
They go out to eat and see a movie. Afterwards, they go to his apartment for snacks and he teaches her how to play backgammon, a game she has always wanted to learn. He has been the perfect gentleman all evening. Opening her doors, holding her hand, walking on the street side of the sidewalk. He has been very respectful and treated her like she was a rare and precious jewel. She wins her third game of backgammon and laughingly leans across the board to give him a quick kiss. Sparks fly and she realizes "I'm falling in love. Tonight. Right this very minute."
He takes her home and walks her to the door. He tells her what a wonderful evening he has and asked to see her again tomorrow. He is going to bring food and will cook supper for her. He kisses her good night and heads back down the hill. She walks in, closes her door and leans against it. She looks at Becky and declares. "I'm in love. I'm going to marry him." Becky laughs.
Jump ahead to Valentine's Day. They have spoken or seen each other every single day. Never letting a call end without telling each other "I love you." He asks her to be his wife. He does not want to spend another day without knowing she is his for eternity. She readily agrees and they set a day for September. But in March, he goes to Florida for a week to the Gator Nationals with his friend. He gets home at 12:30 at night at the end of the week. He knocks on her door. He couldn't help it. He missed her so much. He asks her if she can get off work Friday so they can go to Virginia and get married. He doesn't want to wait until September to make her his bride. He loves her and wants a future together beginning now. She agrees and he heads on home, leaving her to dream of the years to come and a love that will last a lifetime.
That was 30 years ago today. That is the story of how I met my husband, the love of my life. He is every breath I breathe. He is my soul mate, my heart, my life. He is my best friend, my confidante. He has been a wonderful father to my children and a loving grandfather. When I told my friend Becky that I was going to marry him, she thought I was joking. But I knew. God brought us together. This was my destiny. Thirty years have passed and we still kiss and say I love you whenever we are going to be apart, whenever we talk on the phone, and when we go to bed at night. We laugh about it because I won't even walk up to the mail box without giving him a kiss and telling him I love him. Most people don't remember the anniversary of their first date. But I do. When it was something this life changing and important, you tend to remember. So Happy 1st Date Anniversary Sweetheart! I love you!
