Three.

February 11 | Posted in Husband, Marriage

When I was 21 days from turning 21 years old, I met the man I was going to marry. I just didn’t know it at the time.

I was in college, finishing up my degree in English & exploring the side of me that loved to write. I was growing my hair out and had faded dark-brown-&-light-blonde-striped highlights. I had discovered scarves as an accessory, as well as a few extra pounds due to a recent break-up. My plans were to finish up my degree that year, & move away to buy a house, start my master’s degree in Creative Writing, live with 2 of my friends, & get a dog.

I was at church that Sunday morning, February 11th, 2007, with my family. My mind was elsewhere & my outfit reflected that. I was wearing a long, plaid skirt, long-sleeved black T-shirt, pink fleece scarf, suede black ballet flats, & I hadn’t washed my hair that morning. In short, I looked like an indie mess.

The church (which is smallish) was literally abuzz with talk of this “new guy” who had recently moved home after being away for quite some time. He was starting a “College & Career” group that met during the week & wouldn’t I like to join? Nope, I thought to myself. I sure wouldn’t. I was desperately trying to find my niche in school, plans, & life in general, & nothing sounded less appealing to me than joining a group of dewy-eyed youngsters, eager for fresh beginnings. One of the older ladies asked me if I’d met “Michael” yet.

“Who?” I asked.

“Michael. He just moved back.”

“No, I haven’t met him. What does he look like?”

“Well, he’s tall, dark, & handsome.”

Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued. And since I was one of the only young women at that church, so was everyone else’s; it was already decided by several women that he & I just had to meet. By then, my dad had heard about him, & his first question was, “Is he tall?” At 5’10″, this wasn’t something I took for granted. When my dad discovered that he was 6’2″, he conspired too.

We were doomed.

I’m still not sure how it happened; everyone wants to take credit for introducing us. But I remember standing there, dying to leave so I could get home & crawl back into bed with some homework, when he walked up. Him. He was tall, dark, & handsome. We shook hands & I was kind of taken aback at how good-looking he was. As we shared a little about ourselves, I found that a miraculous change had occurred & suddenly I was interested in attending this little group he was organizing. Before I knew it, I was signed up to come that week, and of course I could bring food, because I love to cook. (The shameless dropping of attractive details about me was the only thing I could think of to compensate for my really awful outfit.)

What came next was something I remember so vividly, yet Michael doesn’t remember at all, & will deny to this day. He grabbed my arm. As we were talking, he reached out and grabbed my forearm. Not forcibly, but sweetly, almost a flirtatious, protective gesture, and held onto it as we finished our conversation and said our goodbyes.

My arm tingled for three hours.

Things with Michael & I progressed very quickly (let’s just say, 2 weeks later, we were a couple). When I think about our first encounter, I get a little light headed and my neck gets very warm.

Last Sunday, we found ourselves in church, almost in the exact spot where we met. I looked at the date on the bulletin, & realized how close we were to the date we met, 3 years ago. I leaned over & whispered to him, “In 4 days, we will have met 3 years ago, right over there,” & pointed.

And he smiled at me and replied, “Oh, when you grabbed my arm?”

To be continued…

Comments on Three.

From legalstyle:

this is adorable. it’s my 2.5 year anniversary tomorrow! i’m feeling especially nostalgic and romantic, too. i can’t wait to read the rest of your story.

From Tabaitha:

You left me wanting more. Happy “Meeting” Anniversary! A day to celebrate!

From samdotcom:

Eeeee! You two are the CUTEST. Seriously, add you sister in and you have 3 ridiculously good looking people. Now that is a force to be reckoned with :)

From Jenna Hargett:

Oh Lauren… it’s fun to read about you two. It’s even stranger to me though because I can imagine it all so perfectly, you know actually knowing y’all and having grown up in that church ;) Y’all are wonderful. I’m glad God knows what He’s doing!

From Erin:

I LOVE ITTTT. I remember when you told me, “I met someone!” Then, “He’s my boyfriend!” Then, “We’re getting married!” I love you guys.

From Meghan:

You two continue to be ridiculously cute.

Nick and I celebrate our meeting every Halloween. Who would ever equate a meal at a nice restaurant with Halloween?

From Heidi H.:

Awww. That will be a fun story to tell your kids one day. :-)

From Nora:

I’m kind of in love with this post.
As they say in “The Holiday,” that’s definitely a meet-cute moment. Love it :)

From Samantha:

Oooh I loved this post, and I can’t wait to read more! You two are an adorable couple. This makes me want to write a piece about how my hubby and I met; it definitely made me reminisce a little bit. Sighh… :)

From rachel:

this was all kinds of adorable. :) i love that you remember how you met so vividly.

From abby:

What a sweet little perfect story! Romantical…

From Stephanie:

Too cute! My husband and I will celebrate three years from our first date tomorrow! We are Valentine’s babies LoL. Anyway isn’t it funny how they forget those details? Sidnei and I have different opinoins on how things went as well :)

From Karen:

What a sweet story. And how beautiful that you remember the moment you met so well, and that you can always go back to the place you first met.

From Kara:

Aww, such an amazing story! It’s like it’s right out of a movie or something :) <3

From Polly R:

that is so sweet! Such a cute story. I can’t wait for the continuation! (by the way when i first saw the blog post title, I thought you were pregnant!)
xx

From Jill:

ahh! love it! can’t wait for more!! :)

From heirtoblair:

you got hiney tingles!!!!

From Stephany:

This is so cute! I don’t yet have my own love story and I’m *trying* to wait patiently for it to start. I can’t wait to read more and you two are ridiculously cute.

From Fuegita:

awww That is a really cute story. And you two are a really cute couple

From Erin:

Awwww! I can’t wait to read more. :)

From hannahkaty:

What an awesome story. I read it from start to finish, hooked by the details and the way in which you tell a story. Thank you for sharing that and happy anniversary love!

From onemomstake:

Cute story! My hubby and I met at a College and Career group, too! I met him and the first thought that went through my head was “I’m going to marry him.” And I did. Crazy!