The Meeting

Today we finalized the date and time of our future wedding, which got me thinking of how I met him.

It was March 17^th, a week before my 20^th birthday.  It was going to be the first time (since elementary school), that I was going to see his friend, J (that’s all you get).  Chris was brought along as his wingman, and my older sister was mine.  When we got there, it was awkward.  I’ve never been good in a social setting, and even more so when there’s the pressure of a good impression to a guy I like, as well as his friend.

We weren’t there for long, when another friend of J’s that he hadn’t seen in a long time showed up, I was suddenly forgotten.  He talked with her about people they used to know, and stories only they knew.  My sister, Chris, and I kind of sat there not knowing what to say to each other.  I don’t know how we got on the subject, but we learned that we both had gone to IUPUI for their New Media program and began talking about professors we had in common.

As the conversation grew, we switched to movies and TV shows we liked.  I teased him about his like of Voyager, and he teased me for my fondness of Andromeda. As our conversation continued, I began to realize my sister still didn’t really have anything to talk about.  (She’s never really been into sci-fi anything.)  We started to switch the topics to ones that she could be apart of, but they always ended back to ones just Chris and I liked.  

Eventually, J’s friend left and he returned to the conversation.  I’m not really sure what was talked about after this.

At the end of the night, we all said good-bye, and as my sister and I were driving home, I asked her what she thought about J.  I was nervous, because I wanted her to like him, and was kind of disheartened when she replied with “I liked Chris better.  You both seemed to have a lot in common.”  Now, I’d like to say that I heard what she said, thought it over, decided Chris was the one for me, and that we started dating right then and there.  But that would’ve been the smart thing to do.

Instead, I told my sister “well, I’m kind of into J.  Chris is nice, and it’s really nice to get along with the friend of the guy you like.”  That was one of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever made. 

Sadly, a week later I had yet another sister tell me that they liked Chris better.  This time, it was on my birthday.  I don’t remember who all was there, but I believe it was two of my sisters, myself (duh), Chris, J, and N (again, all you get) there.  J was doing one of the nicer things he ever did for me that day.  He brought cupcakes and had candles and a little candle holder that played Happy Birthday.  I blame that romantic gesture as the reason I didn’t listen to my sisters that night about how great Chris was; I’m a fool for romantic gestures!

Anyways, during the meal N was being his usual self, and letting everyone at the table know how smart and worldly he was.  I don’t even remember why I invited him that night; I think I pitied him because he never really went out after our mutual friend moved away, but I don’t remember.  All I know is that we all got tired of listening to N prattle on.  I looked at my sisters and they were bored to tears, and were done with trying to pretend to listen.  Several times, attempts were made to politely change the subject, but all failed because the moment there was a pause, N jumped in and continued with what he was talking about before.

Finally, Chris just started talking.  He initially tried adding to N’s conversation, but N wasn’t happy to have the competition.  (And Chris is highly intelligent and kept correcting N’s statements.) 

Now, I’ve seen Chris get annoyed with people before, but this was one of the only times that he’d been so blatant about talking over someone.   And still, N didn’t get it.  So Chris moved on to making little jokes at his expense.  Normally, I’d feel bad for N, but not that night.  My sisters were also laughing at Chris, and the evening ended on a high note.

This time, when my sisters and I traveled home, I got to hear about how they both liked Chris above the other 2.  I laughed and said, “Yeah, Chris is awesome!  He’s really funny and smart.  But what’d you guys think of J?!?”

Again, I’m stupid.  It would be about 5 months from that first meeting until I wised up and started dating Chris.  (And even then, it was the second time he asked me out.  Lol)

So, now for some closing revelations:

1)      Chris continues to be one of the smartest guys I know, because he knew from DAY ONE, that we belonged together.  And he waited 5 months for me to realize that I like him too.

2)      When your older sister tells you that you should go after a guy, LISTEN.  To this day, I haven’t lived down the fact that she told me Chris was the better choice.  (And my other sister is quick to chime in that she even second it.)