The History of Love - our story

Several friends have asked for the story about how Mike and I met but I hesitate because the story can't just start and end with that day. So piece by piece here is our story . . .

First Impressions:

Our singles ward has a temple night every other week and afterward we all get together and have dessert at a member of the bishopric's house. Holding a plate of treats, I noticed a new guy sitting in the middle of a group of girls. I went over and told what I thought was a very funny story involving a dog I bought, it barking, and me asking for a refund (all true). Well, I succeeded in getting this guy's attention but not in the way I thought. As it turns out he thought I had to have been very slow indeed to not have known that dogs bark before I bought one.

Random Encounters:

Mike and I would run in to each other at different church activities and events and each time he would say something cute like, "I was hoping you would be here," and "I wanted to call you but didn't have your number." And yet he never got that number and didn't asked me out. Finally enough encounters built and he had sufficiently peaked my anticipation by having every other girl in the ward swooning that he called and asked me on a real date.

The turning point:

On a weekend trip to a friend's house at the beach, we played our final jealousy cards and then folded our hands. He went on walks on the beach with other girls and I let another guy flirty shamelessly with me until the tension broke and we realized the game was not over but just getting to the good part. That's the weekend he made his first move (although oddly I didn't respond - stage fright) and I knew this guy was such a catch I couldn't let him get away.

"Book Boy":

The first time we talked I told him what book I was teaching in my class (Night) and that night he went out and bought and read it. The next time we talked I told him my favorite book (The History of Love) and he read that too so we could talk about it on our next date. And the next time I told him I would never read science fiction and so the next day he brought me a copy of Ender's Game to see just how much power he was starting to have over me. And thus all my students know Mike as 'book boy' from all the stories of my dating adventures.

Holding hands:

We agree that the first time was during the Rose Festival but we still don't agree if it was over dinner (I say he held my hand but I didn't hold his so it doesn't count) or when the fireworks started over the river (now, isn't that so much more romantic).

The History of Love:

I have always been so drawn to Mike and find myself quite smitten even now.