We Meet
John and I started dating senior year of college. We met in our capstone class under the direction of one of our favorite professors, Dr. Shakespeare. We'd each taken Dr. Shakespeare a few times leading up to the capstone course, but we somehow missed one other until senior year.
At the start of the semester, we'd only speak through class discussion. I took notice of him the same way he took notice of me. Being a capstone class for seniors, most students had mentally checked out and hadn't bothered to read the books. As a result, the discussions that Dr. Shakespeare would initiate fell on the shoulders of John and myself. We sat across the room from one another, so much of the discussion tended to make a triangle between John, myself, and Dr. Shakespeare (who sat at the front of the room). He and I never said it, but we understood that if we didn't keep the conversation going at all costs, poor Dr. Shakespeare would be banging her head against a brick wall for the rest of the semester because the rest of the class was content to remain silent.
Since we both had such love and respect for her, we made it our personal mission to "color up" the discussion. We NEVER spoke about this mission, but there was an unspoken understanding of one another's motive. I can't speak for John, but that was my first impression of him - sweetly heroic. He wanted to help as best he could to protect his beloved Dr. Shakespeare from suffering the irritating, frustrating silence of a senior class that hadn't done any work. I, having the same inclination, did the same and mutual respect was born.
At the start of the semester, we'd only speak through class discussion. I took notice of him the same way he took notice of me. Being a capstone class for seniors, most students had mentally checked out and hadn't bothered to read the books. As a result, the discussions that Dr. Shakespeare would initiate fell on the shoulders of John and myself. We sat across the room from one another, so much of the discussion tended to make a triangle between John, myself, and Dr. Shakespeare (who sat at the front of the room). He and I never said it, but we understood that if we didn't keep the conversation going at all costs, poor Dr. Shakespeare would be banging her head against a brick wall for the rest of the semester because the rest of the class was content to remain silent.
Since we both had such love and respect for her, we made it our personal mission to "color up" the discussion. We NEVER spoke about this mission, but there was an unspoken understanding of one another's motive. I can't speak for John, but that was my first impression of him - sweetly heroic. He wanted to help as best he could to protect his beloved Dr. Shakespeare from suffering the irritating, frustrating silence of a senior class that hadn't done any work. I, having the same inclination, did the same and mutual respect was born.
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Fast forward to the end of the semester. We still hadn't spoken outside class discussion, but it was clear that we enjoyed one another intellectually. I wasn't looking for anything romantic, but John had other ideas.
After I asked for his help for my final project, he decided to throw his charm into high gear. He and I began speaking online and I still remember having a near heart-attack when he said, in our very first online conversation, that he would make me his wife someday. All those tender thoughts of him being a sweet, heroic gentleman went straight out the window in favor of "Oh my gosh, he's insane" ones. Ha ha! I feel terrible now admitting that, but having been burned by the "Hey, baby, let's run off and be together forever" psychopaths of the world, I wanted nothing to do with the poor guy. I tried every trick in the book to derail interest. I even tried to pawn him off on a mutual friend. Nothing deterred him. I admit that after about a month of this, I was impressed with how unrelenting he was. |
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We Date... Sorta.
After more than a month of rejection, John came up with a fool-proof plan to sweep me off my feet.
We had three classes left, so he knew he had to move fast. At the end of class, he presented me with a box of Lucky Charms (my favorite cereal at the time). I was confused, especially because he was obviously pleased with himself. As he handed me the box, he said, "You've gotta go on a date with me now!"
How in the world would a box of Lucky Charms make me wanna date you, you nutball?
I laughed and almost walked out of the room. He stopped me, however, and told me to open the box. I did, and inside was a Ziploc bag full of marshmallows!!!
MARSHMALLOWS, PEOPLE!
You see, I had once told him about my cousin, Julie. She and I were inseparable for a quick minute as kids, and I once made her an entire bowl of Lucky Charms marshmallows because I knew she liked them.
Not only did he prove he paid attention to the little things, but he went out of his way to spend time sorting THREE BOXES of Lucky Charms so he'd be able to make me an entire box of marshmallows.
I admit - that was probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. It really made me smile. So I said, "Alrighty, you win. One outing, but you can't call it a date. We can get coffee, but that's it. I don't want you getting the wrong idea."
He put his hands up and said, "No problem!"
For our first date, we went to a little coffee shop named Cosi and talked for a few hours over s'mores. However, at the end of the night, I wouldn't let him drop me off at my house (in case he turned out to be crazy for real). So I had him drop me off at a friend's house.
We did have a good time, so I agreed we could "hang out again, as friends" a second time. At this point, I was still requesting that he not use the term "date" because I didn't want to give him the impression that our relationship was going anywhere (I'm a horrible, horrible person, aren't I?). Instead, I termed them "pseudo-dates."
The second "pseudo-date" was an equally public, safe place. We saw Godspell, a musical hosted by the school's theater club. Afterwards, we went to an Asian food market, picked up some random snacks, and then talked over coffee at something he and his friends called the "Segregated Diner."
I again wouldn't let him take me home. Instead, I asked him to drop me off at our college so I could take the bus home. Can you tell I've got trust issues? Before he let me out of the car, he was intent on kissing me. I was still super wary and not sure where I wanted things to go with him. Instead, I handed him a soda and told him to open it. When he did, it sprayed soda all over him, successfully killing the moment by way of laughter. He even laughed that day saying, "Well, I guess I won't be kissing you after all."
Relieved, I agreed to another pseudo-date. This time he wanted to take me to meet his parents (when I say the boy moves fast, I'm not kidding). I repeatedly said, "John, they know I'm not your girlfriend, right?" And he kept telling me, "Yeah, yeah. Just a friend. I know."
I felt a little awkward, but his family - from the gate - was amazing. I was actually incredibly self-conscious the first time I stepped foot into their house because they're all freakin' gorgeous. Seeing the pictures in the living room actually gave me a minor heart-attack because I thought they all modeled. I remember shooting John angry laser beam eyes when I asked him, not so nicely, why he didn't warn me that his family modeled. I would've dressed nicer or something!
He laughed it off and told me that they just really like getting glamor shots done. Could've fooled me. His sister and mother looked cat-walk ready when I came in on a random afternoon in April. Turns out they dress like that all the time. Ha.
He gave me a brief tour of his parents' meticulous house and we finally settled down in his room for some home videos he wanted to show me. I figured I'd humor him. Plus, watching videos would give me a chance to figure out how to best let him down if he tried to kiss me again.
We had three classes left, so he knew he had to move fast. At the end of class, he presented me with a box of Lucky Charms (my favorite cereal at the time). I was confused, especially because he was obviously pleased with himself. As he handed me the box, he said, "You've gotta go on a date with me now!"
How in the world would a box of Lucky Charms make me wanna date you, you nutball?
I laughed and almost walked out of the room. He stopped me, however, and told me to open the box. I did, and inside was a Ziploc bag full of marshmallows!!!
MARSHMALLOWS, PEOPLE!
You see, I had once told him about my cousin, Julie. She and I were inseparable for a quick minute as kids, and I once made her an entire bowl of Lucky Charms marshmallows because I knew she liked them.
Not only did he prove he paid attention to the little things, but he went out of his way to spend time sorting THREE BOXES of Lucky Charms so he'd be able to make me an entire box of marshmallows.
I admit - that was probably one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. It really made me smile. So I said, "Alrighty, you win. One outing, but you can't call it a date. We can get coffee, but that's it. I don't want you getting the wrong idea."
He put his hands up and said, "No problem!"
For our first date, we went to a little coffee shop named Cosi and talked for a few hours over s'mores. However, at the end of the night, I wouldn't let him drop me off at my house (in case he turned out to be crazy for real). So I had him drop me off at a friend's house.
We did have a good time, so I agreed we could "hang out again, as friends" a second time. At this point, I was still requesting that he not use the term "date" because I didn't want to give him the impression that our relationship was going anywhere (I'm a horrible, horrible person, aren't I?). Instead, I termed them "pseudo-dates."
The second "pseudo-date" was an equally public, safe place. We saw Godspell, a musical hosted by the school's theater club. Afterwards, we went to an Asian food market, picked up some random snacks, and then talked over coffee at something he and his friends called the "Segregated Diner."
I again wouldn't let him take me home. Instead, I asked him to drop me off at our college so I could take the bus home. Can you tell I've got trust issues? Before he let me out of the car, he was intent on kissing me. I was still super wary and not sure where I wanted things to go with him. Instead, I handed him a soda and told him to open it. When he did, it sprayed soda all over him, successfully killing the moment by way of laughter. He even laughed that day saying, "Well, I guess I won't be kissing you after all."
Relieved, I agreed to another pseudo-date. This time he wanted to take me to meet his parents (when I say the boy moves fast, I'm not kidding). I repeatedly said, "John, they know I'm not your girlfriend, right?" And he kept telling me, "Yeah, yeah. Just a friend. I know."
I felt a little awkward, but his family - from the gate - was amazing. I was actually incredibly self-conscious the first time I stepped foot into their house because they're all freakin' gorgeous. Seeing the pictures in the living room actually gave me a minor heart-attack because I thought they all modeled. I remember shooting John angry laser beam eyes when I asked him, not so nicely, why he didn't warn me that his family modeled. I would've dressed nicer or something!
He laughed it off and told me that they just really like getting glamor shots done. Could've fooled me. His sister and mother looked cat-walk ready when I came in on a random afternoon in April. Turns out they dress like that all the time. Ha.
He gave me a brief tour of his parents' meticulous house and we finally settled down in his room for some home videos he wanted to show me. I figured I'd humor him. Plus, watching videos would give me a chance to figure out how to best let him down if he tried to kiss me again.
We Kiss
So there we were, sitting on the floor of his bedroom watching videos he made for his friends. They were basically moving scrapbooks. The clips were taken from other home movies he'd made as a child / teen, all creating incredible love notes to the individuals he made them for.
Watching those videos, I felt my heart melt.
I realized by the third one that he was the man I was going to marry. I was amazed and touched by the love he had for his friends. I was impressed with his dedication to the man-hours it took to put those videos together. I was completely and utterly swept off my feet by such a golden heart.
Three "psuedo-dates" and this boy won me forever. Hook, line and sinker, my heart was reeled out of my chest that day.
After the videos were complete, I had no idea what to do with myself. I felt like a complete tool for having doubted him. Worse, I was practically on fire with a desire to hug him to myself for being so sweet and adorable. I still wasn't sure on that whole kissing issue, but I definitely wanted to give him a bear hug. I wanted to hug him and be hugged by him.
I guess John figured that things had somehow changed because he decided he was going in for the kill. He actually said, "Alright, I've been wanting to do this for a while now" and just grabbed my face in his hands. He kissed me with everything he had, and I was left speechless. I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing, too. I couldn't react more than laying my head against his chest and whispering, "Wow."
Obviously pleased with himself, he said, "I promise if you stick with me, I'll kiss you like that every day for the rest of your life."
Well shoot. What's a girl like me going to say to that?
Nothing, because I still couldn't talk!
When I finally regained myself, I must've had the dopiest half-grin on my face. I still feel dazed when I think about that moment. I can't explain it more than 'God-given.' I knew, without a trace of doubt, that John was made to be mine. I was made to be his, and that was that. No angels needed to sing because I felt in my heart an actual "nod" from the Blessed Mother. All those prayers I'd sent her way regarding a spouse were fulfilled in John. His kiss solidified that knowledge and henceforth I never again questioned our future together.
Watching those videos, I felt my heart melt.
I realized by the third one that he was the man I was going to marry. I was amazed and touched by the love he had for his friends. I was impressed with his dedication to the man-hours it took to put those videos together. I was completely and utterly swept off my feet by such a golden heart.
Three "psuedo-dates" and this boy won me forever. Hook, line and sinker, my heart was reeled out of my chest that day.
After the videos were complete, I had no idea what to do with myself. I felt like a complete tool for having doubted him. Worse, I was practically on fire with a desire to hug him to myself for being so sweet and adorable. I still wasn't sure on that whole kissing issue, but I definitely wanted to give him a bear hug. I wanted to hug him and be hugged by him.
I guess John figured that things had somehow changed because he decided he was going in for the kill. He actually said, "Alright, I've been wanting to do this for a while now" and just grabbed my face in his hands. He kissed me with everything he had, and I was left speechless. I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing, too. I couldn't react more than laying my head against his chest and whispering, "Wow."
Obviously pleased with himself, he said, "I promise if you stick with me, I'll kiss you like that every day for the rest of your life."
Well shoot. What's a girl like me going to say to that?
Nothing, because I still couldn't talk!
When I finally regained myself, I must've had the dopiest half-grin on my face. I still feel dazed when I think about that moment. I can't explain it more than 'God-given.' I knew, without a trace of doubt, that John was made to be mine. I was made to be his, and that was that. No angels needed to sing because I felt in my heart an actual "nod" from the Blessed Mother. All those prayers I'd sent her way regarding a spouse were fulfilled in John. His kiss solidified that knowledge and henceforth I never again questioned our future together.
The 1st Proposal
Yes, first proposal.
You see, I'm not one to sit around and wait for stuff to happen. When I had that "Eureka" moment after our first kiss, I put plans into place to surprise him with an engagement.
Since he's not one for jewelry (and he worked with heavy equipment), I found a simple, solid ring made of titanium (a super hard alloy that still retains the silver finish that John prefers). It was a "chrysalis" ring - a symbol of new life. On the inside I had them engrave "I will be yours forever."
Why? Well he had once mentioned that he'd like that to be engraved on the inside of his wedding ring. I figured he could use this as an engagement / wedding ring.
Anyway, it was December 23rd. We celebrated it as our Christmas Eve because we weren't sure that we'd get to spend Christmas together (having only been dating a few months, our families might not have taken us seriously just yet). I was a nervous wreck the whole night. I took him to a beautiful spot in Philly. It's the gazebo behind the Art Museum... it overlooks the river.
Being so close to Christmas (and around 10pm), we had all of Kelly Drive to ourselves. It was just us, the moon, and a blanket of stars. I had taken him there under the guise of Christmas fireworks (what the heck are those?). Instead, however, I pulled a small teddy bear from my purse. The teddy bear held a plush red gift box. A silver ribbon fell from the lip of the box, and written on the ribbon were the words "Will you be mine forever?"
He looked at the bear, looked at me, then looked back at the bear. He wasn't really sure what to make of it, and I was near dead from heart palpitations. I said, "Pull the ribbon."
So, he gently pulled the ribbon. As he did, the silvery ring fell from the box and caught the light of the moon. Still, he had no idea what to make of the situation.
Barely breathing, I whispered, "So... will you?"
That finally snapped the poor boy to his senses as he realized what was happening. In a rush he began saying, "Oh my God, are you asking me to marry you? Oh my God, you are! Yes, oh my God, yes! I was going to ask you, but you beat me to it. Wow, yes! Yes, I definitely will!"
:)
Talk about relief! Shesh. Keep a girl waiting around like that...
You see, I'm not one to sit around and wait for stuff to happen. When I had that "Eureka" moment after our first kiss, I put plans into place to surprise him with an engagement.
Since he's not one for jewelry (and he worked with heavy equipment), I found a simple, solid ring made of titanium (a super hard alloy that still retains the silver finish that John prefers). It was a "chrysalis" ring - a symbol of new life. On the inside I had them engrave "I will be yours forever."
Why? Well he had once mentioned that he'd like that to be engraved on the inside of his wedding ring. I figured he could use this as an engagement / wedding ring.
Anyway, it was December 23rd. We celebrated it as our Christmas Eve because we weren't sure that we'd get to spend Christmas together (having only been dating a few months, our families might not have taken us seriously just yet). I was a nervous wreck the whole night. I took him to a beautiful spot in Philly. It's the gazebo behind the Art Museum... it overlooks the river.
Being so close to Christmas (and around 10pm), we had all of Kelly Drive to ourselves. It was just us, the moon, and a blanket of stars. I had taken him there under the guise of Christmas fireworks (what the heck are those?). Instead, however, I pulled a small teddy bear from my purse. The teddy bear held a plush red gift box. A silver ribbon fell from the lip of the box, and written on the ribbon were the words "Will you be mine forever?"
He looked at the bear, looked at me, then looked back at the bear. He wasn't really sure what to make of it, and I was near dead from heart palpitations. I said, "Pull the ribbon."
So, he gently pulled the ribbon. As he did, the silvery ring fell from the box and caught the light of the moon. Still, he had no idea what to make of the situation.
Barely breathing, I whispered, "So... will you?"
That finally snapped the poor boy to his senses as he realized what was happening. In a rush he began saying, "Oh my God, are you asking me to marry you? Oh my God, you are! Yes, oh my God, yes! I was going to ask you, but you beat me to it. Wow, yes! Yes, I definitely will!"
:)
Talk about relief! Shesh. Keep a girl waiting around like that...
The 2nd Proposal
A few months later, John and I were discussing dinner plans for that night. He had originally agreed to come meet me in Philly (where I was living at the time), but he had forgotten. Now, he wanted me to come meet him in S. Jersey.
Being the calm, sensible person that I am (*face palm*), I blew a fuse and angrily pointed out that I always went to Jersey. He had promised to come to Philly (a rarity), so I was angry he was changing plans last minute. I was also incredibly irritated that he tended to forget stuff like this (still does, poor boy).
In my glorious diatribe against John's accidental change of plans, he blurted out, "I wanted to propose to you tonight!"
...
...
...
"What?" I asked, COMPLETELY diffused. "I already did that."
"Yeah, but I wanted to get you a ring and do it right. I wanted to ask you over dinner."
...
Well crackers.
"Honey, I'm so sorry. I really am. I'm sorry for ruining your surprise by being a jerk. I really am. I'm really, really sorry."
John, being deflated and probably slightly agitated at himself for letting the cat out of the bag, said, "It's fine. I got excited about proposing, so I forgot about our plans. I'm sorry, too."
I offered to come down to Jersey, but instead he agreed to drive up my way as was originally planned. We met up at Bennigan's where I was enjoying drinks with my "other mother." She knew John had a ring, so as soon as he came, she said "Hello" and left. We later found out that she'd also paid our tab in advance as a "Congratulations" on her way out. She's a special lady, that one.
Anyway, as we were waiting for our food to arrive, John and I again apologized over and over again for the miscommunication. Mostly, however, it was my fault for jumping the gun. I really felt terrible. He assured me he'd forgiven me and handed me a ring box. He said, "Gina, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
I smiled (without having opened the box) and said, "Of course!"
I then opened the box and saw the most beautiful ring ever! It fit my personality better than anything I think I could've picked out for myself. Simple, understated and beautiful - a center heart with two diamonds flanking it. Considering I'd already proposed to John, I never in a million years expected this. It was so sweet.
Being the calm, sensible person that I am (*face palm*), I blew a fuse and angrily pointed out that I always went to Jersey. He had promised to come to Philly (a rarity), so I was angry he was changing plans last minute. I was also incredibly irritated that he tended to forget stuff like this (still does, poor boy).
In my glorious diatribe against John's accidental change of plans, he blurted out, "I wanted to propose to you tonight!"
...
...
...
"What?" I asked, COMPLETELY diffused. "I already did that."
"Yeah, but I wanted to get you a ring and do it right. I wanted to ask you over dinner."
...
Well crackers.
"Honey, I'm so sorry. I really am. I'm sorry for ruining your surprise by being a jerk. I really am. I'm really, really sorry."
John, being deflated and probably slightly agitated at himself for letting the cat out of the bag, said, "It's fine. I got excited about proposing, so I forgot about our plans. I'm sorry, too."
I offered to come down to Jersey, but instead he agreed to drive up my way as was originally planned. We met up at Bennigan's where I was enjoying drinks with my "other mother." She knew John had a ring, so as soon as he came, she said "Hello" and left. We later found out that she'd also paid our tab in advance as a "Congratulations" on her way out. She's a special lady, that one.
Anyway, as we were waiting for our food to arrive, John and I again apologized over and over again for the miscommunication. Mostly, however, it was my fault for jumping the gun. I really felt terrible. He assured me he'd forgiven me and handed me a ring box. He said, "Gina, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
I smiled (without having opened the box) and said, "Of course!"
I then opened the box and saw the most beautiful ring ever! It fit my personality better than anything I think I could've picked out for myself. Simple, understated and beautiful - a center heart with two diamonds flanking it. Considering I'd already proposed to John, I never in a million years expected this. It was so sweet.
My ring... sorry it's not clear!
An elderly couple sitting in the booth behind us overheard the proposal and wished us luck. It was such a sweet night!