The First Night of Our Life

A little over five years ago, I allowed two teenage girls to annoy me into meeting their speech coach.

I could tell we didn't have much in common, but I wanted to get these girls off my back and I thought, "What's there to lose?"

Thankfully, she had better sense and stood her ground, insisting that she wasn't interested. Instead, another coach said she was interested, and persuaded these girls that she was, in fact, a much better option for me. So we made contact on Facebook.

Through our chats I found her to be easy to talk to, and we actually shared similar interests. I realized I desperately wanted to meet her and get to know her better. So, as clearly and emphatically as I could manage, I made sure she knew it.

So there I was, five years ago exactly, sitting in my usual bar, on my usual stool, on my usual night, drinking a Shallow Mud Rye stout, watching the door closely waiting for something most unusual to happen. And there she was.

If you shake your head at romantic movies when a girl walks into a bar and the crowd parts and a light shines only on her, you're just like me. But that is exactly what happened. My breath caught in my throat, my heart stopped. Eager to demonstrate my excitement, I swallowed hard and casually smiled and waved her over. She came over to the stool I was pretending not to have saved for her, and, in order to further prove my interest, said in a friendly and indifferent tone, "Hi."

We finished the pleasantries, she ordered a Strawberry Wheat, and we proceeded to talk. It was the easiest, most comfortable evening I remember having with anyone. She was charming, kind, and beautiful. She had the sweetest, most pleasant voice and it eased every nerve in my body. We talked and talked and before we knew it, it was time to part ways.

I was enamored. I couldn't wait to see her again. I wanted to ask her immediately. I was so thrilled that I texted her first thing the next day.

Since that night, everything and nothing has changed. She is charming, kind, and her voice soothes my deepest anxieties, worries, and stress. She is passionate and strong willed, and challenges me in all the ways I never knew I needed. She is my best friend, my confidant, and the love of my life. This night was the first day I truly started growing up and without her I would still be a child.

This was the first night of our life.