Today’s Music: They Might Be Giants – Birdhouse In Your Soul
Days Til Spring: 35
A long time ago, I worked at the college bookstore.
There was a girl who worked there. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was the most wonderful girl in the universe.
We were friendly. We teased each other, flirted a bit, but nothing really came of it.
Along the way I developed a crush on her.
One day, I asked her out.
“Harry Connick Jr is playing”, I said. “Would you like to go?”
“No thanks” she answered. “I’m not really a fan”.
“Ok”
She filled in this part later on:
“One of my friends asked why I wasn’t going out with you. I told her that I didn’t really like Harry Connick.
‘You idiot’ she said. ‘He was asking you out on a date’. I didn’t realize it. Oops.”
In the course of our daily teasing, she handed me a piece of paper, with the following poem
The Lollipop
When you come to the end of a lollipop
To the end to the end of a lollipop,
Plop goes your heart.
For when you are through with it,
what can you do with it?
All you have left is a stick.
How can you doubt she was the girl for me?
Fast forward about 10 years or so. I had left restaurants, learned IT and just started a new job.
That very day, I had also moved in with a friend of mine.
So I’m sitting in this bar, at a reasonable hour, having a pint.
I distinctly remember thinking to myself “Ok, what next?”
And the door opened.
These two girls walked in. One of them was pretty cute, so I smiled.
And…she…waved…
I’ve done a lot of stupid things in a lot of different places over the years, and have often run into people who knew (or heard of me) and I had no idea who they were.
I was nervous that would be the case here.
But when she sat down and I looked more closely, I recognized and remembered her. And it was great.
We spent the rest of the night talking (her friend was across the bar talking to some people she knew). When it was time for her to go, I offered to give her a lift (It was ok, I’d just had the one pint).(And she has since cured me of drinking and driving)
I drove her home, and we spent the next couple of hours sitting in front of her home just talking.
Eventually I said I had to go (because I really had to pee), but before she left, I asked her out again.
“I’ll tell you the first naked bar dance story” I said.
“The first?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You pick the place”, I answered, realizing this might not have been the best lead-off. “Someplace you’re comfortable with lots of people around” I raised an eyebrow back at here. “You know, in case I’m insane”
“Oh, I know you’re insane” she said.
“No, I mean in a bad way”
We went out a few days later. Had a lovely meal. I told her some of my more…colorful stories. She told me hers.
We went for a walk in the neighborhood on a cool clear night.
We were talking about astronomy, stars, planets, constellations. I pointed out a constellation to her.
Where, she asked. I moved closer so she could sight along my arm. As I leaned down to describe the shapes, she looked up. And kissed me.
It was a good date.
Some scenes along the way from there:
-“It’s my birthday. You can meet all my friends”. Oh joy. And it turns out her friends are just as cool as her. And are my friends now too.
-“Honey, if you want to build a model railroad, then you should.” it’s ten years later, and I’m still working on it, but she has never been anything but supportive.
-Me: “I’d like to take you out on your birthday”
Her”: “I’ll be in Atlanta”
Me: “That’s fine.Let me know where to meet you.”
Best. Daytrip. Ever.
-On a week in January a few years ago when I was having a wicked case of Cabin Fever: “Why don’t we go to Key West for a few days?”
So we were together for several years. One day, it bothered her that we weren’t married, because of the legal implications.
To me, she was my wife, and I her husband in every way but the paperwork. But she wanted to be married. So we went out to find a ring.
We went to a mall and she found the ring she liked. I handed the saleswoman the money and stepped to an empty counter while she boxed it up.
I pulled my girl over.
“Honey, we had lunch before, but not desert.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out two napkins, laying them on the counter.
I took out a small bag of Oreos, two each, and portioned them on the napkins.
I went back into the pocket for a candle holder and candle.
I lit the candle.
My girl was both laughing and blushing deeply as we ate our cookies, looking deeply into each others eyes.
The saleswoman came over with the ring in a box as we finished the cookies.
I took the box.
“Honey”, I asked. “Will you marry me?”
Some onlookers started applauding and congratulating us. I ignored them.
Because she hadn’t said yes yet.
But then she did.
(This post is turning out way longer than I expected. Part two will go up on Valentines day. Or , at least I’ll try…)
Wow. I am inspired.
LikeLike
thanks John.
Honestly, I never thought it would happen to me.
LikeLike
I think i be writing a similar post for Valentine’s, yet very different.
LikeLike
I look forward to enjoying it as much as I did writing this, but by reading!
LikeLike
OH……WOW!! Big smile! How incredibly sweet!
Bring on Part 2!
LikeLike
With the constant “I love yous” and quick kisses, our friends are frequently annoyed (in an amused way) by our affection, Alex
LikeLike
Awwwww beautiful….can’t wait to read the rest!
LikeLike
thanks hypersensationalism. I’m going to have to start typing fast to get it posted tomorrow…
LikeLike
Perfect, perfect, perfect.
LikeLike
There is almost no exaggeration here either, zannyro (my girl read it first just to be sure!)
LikeLike
Very sweet, indeed. You have a romantic soul. I like that you sort of knew she was the one all the way back during your book store days. Some things are just meant to be.
LikeLike
Fortunately, it didn;t happen back then AGL. As my girl put it, we probably wouldn’t have lasted all that long.
Having re-met when we were both older and (she was) wiser, I know get her for the rest of my life!
LikeLike
Wow, this so sweet! I thought this kind of thing only happened in the movies…what a nice love story! Happy Love Day, G-man.
LikeLike
thanks, morezennow.
It is like a movie. Danny DeVito’s greatest romantic comedy ever!
LikeLike
I was enjoying this and then you just left me hanging. I would appreciate the rest of this story on Valentine’s day. Jk. lol. I wished things would have worked out like that for me. Great story.
LikeLike
If it can happen for an idiot like me, it can happen to anyone, bloohmoon!
I’ll be hoping for you!
LikeLike
Cool story.
LikeLike
Thanks Dan. And the happiest ending ever!
LikeLike
You have such a sweet soul 🙂 I loved reading this!
LikeLike
Thank you Mona Lisa. And every so often, it’s nice to remember how I got here…
LikeLike
Awww…..very sweet post, Guap.
LikeLike
Thank you, kayjai!
LikeLike
No question: The sign of true love is the willingness to kiss after eating Oreos.
LikeLike
Do you not like Oreos, Rich?
I have absolutely no problem kissing her after she’s had a cookie.
Or any time, really…
LikeLike
Actually, Rich, the sign of true love is kissing someone after they’ve eaten onions (and I do, but Oreos are better).
LikeLike
!Awesome! Love is Grand, ain’t it?
I bet you will have a great VD experience, too! ;o)
LikeLike
Love is the grandest, Ginger!
LikeLike
Did you hear that? The squee from my cubicle? It was pretty loud. Can’t wait for part 2!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Asplenia.
And thanks for reminding me to start typing it up faster…
LikeLike
Guapo, you ole sweet romantic! You found the perfect girl for you and she is lucky to have you, also! Loved your post – bring on part 2!
LikeLike
Thanks, whiteladyinthehood. I don’t know how anyone else could make me happier…
LikeLike
Love is grand, right?
Great heartfelt post, my friend.
LikeLike
Thank you, Hook. Loved your post on the topic as well.
LikeLike
I love this story! Knowing how people’s paths crossed is always interesting to me. It’s even better because yours crossed twice, meaning that it was obviously meant to be!
I felt cool already knowing the naked bar dance story! haha
LikeLike
I got lucky that her sense of humor could let her laugh at it too, Lily!
And it was great to actually catch the one that got away!
LikeLike
I wish onlookers would just ignore. It puts on more pressure then is due. Not that I’ve had experience. I’m just sayin’. Cool story by the way. You deserve the most wonderful girl in the world – I think.
LikeLike
I try to earn and justify her love every second of every day, Hamza.
And I feel the same way about the onlookers. At least let the moment unfold first….
LikeLike
As usual, great post. Very inspiring.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sightsnbytes. I really enjoyed yours as well.
LikeLike
Awwwwww. This is so sweet that I might be nicer to my husband today. (just kidding!) Well done, though, perfect for VD day. 😛
LikeLike
Well, maybe just smile at him a bit more while being mean, Lirpa. you know, just so he knows you care…
LikeLike
i only have one thing to say – shocked you are I know but really words just can’t do it justice……..
~ Sigh~
LikeLike
Thank you, lizziec! The highest praise I could hope for!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Humorous love
Is the best kind
It will last
Through thick and thin
Because the funny
Always win
Love the picture, such sweet story! I hope the guy who proposes to me is that laid back about it, I’ve always been a picnic sort of girl.
I love Atlanta and Key West. Mexico Beach is pretty cool if you’ve never been.
LikeLike
Thanks Andrea, and thanks for the verse. I was going to caption the pic “And our watches lived happily ever after” but thought I’d let it pass, just this once…
(plus her watch isn’t in the picture)(Hmph).
And I love the verse!
LikeLike
Hi,
Very nice indeed, it’s wonderful how different things in our life will lead us in the direction that we need to go. I am very much looking forward to reading part 2, but it is really not fair in the sense it is Valentines Day today here in OZ, so really I shouldn’t have to wait. 😀
LikeLike
Thanks, Magsx2. I’d email it to you now if I had it, but I really do need to write it first.
LikeLike
That’s a pretty good excuse, can’t agrue with that one. 🙂
LikeLike
Thats such a great story 🙂 And you have hairy hands. (So do I)
LikeLike
Fortunately, I don’t need to shave my back, itchemeyer…
And hope I never do!
LikeLike
Thats coming down the road for me i think…sometime after ear, nose, prob not throat.
LikeLike
this is SO wonderful EG…what a perfect valentine. continue…
LikeLike
The funny thing was watching my girl read it, barkinginthedark.
She blushed!
LikeLike
p.s. and i like the distinction contained in the word “universe”
LikeLike
It’s a running joke between us, where each of us tries to outdo the other in the size of the terms we use to describe our love.
LikeLike
Aww…I want to eat cookies at the jewelry counter someday…
LikeLike
The best part is, on occasions like this, you don’t even need to bring enough for everyone, Scarp. just the two of you…
LikeLike
Yeah, I’m getting verklempt. What of it?!?!?
LikeLike
Tears of joy, Brian. Tears of joy…
LikeLike
It was Sriricha. Great story! Chest bump!
LikeLike
Gotta watch them chiles. And yeah, a good sauce will definitely give you tears of joy!
LikeLike
What a great story!! But not as great as free ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s tomorrow, 14 February, between 5 and 8 pm. ( http://benjerrys.com/) Now that’s a true love story. And you don’t even need tissues. Just napkins.
Enjoy.
LikeLike
Hey WG, I think a spam bot took over your identity…
They supply the napkins, right?
LikeLike
Oh my my … the soft, sensitive side of Guapo. … Nonetheless, what are the odds she would walk into that bar 10 years later. Wow!
LikeLike
Or that I’d have been there so early, Frank. I think it was a pretty small window to get this lucky.
And really, I’m a sap when it comes to my girl!
LikeLike
Wow! I’m so looking forward to hearing the rest! Thanks for sharing such an intimate, and special, part of your life. I love to hear about people truly in love.
LikeLike
Thanks, She. My girl really is the best part of my life!
LikeLike
That’s so wonderful! I was not fortunate in that area in my life. Well, actually I was, but I was stupid and decided I wanted more “freedom.” Oh, well. He’s very happily married with several kids. I’m just not sure I would have been cut out for either.
LikeLike
I love that story! I have a feeling it gets even better in the next installment 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Linda. And all true, every word.
LikeLike
So great! I did that exact same thing once – turned down a date because I didn’t want to see the movie I was invited to. Fortunately, he wasn’t the one for me, anyway. Can’t wait to read part 2!
LikeLike
Sounds like we both found the right one, Carrie!
LikeLike
You old smoothie…..
LikeLike
Fortunately, I found someone who likes smoothies, ginger!
LikeLike
There is a lid for every pot!
LikeLike
What a wonderful love story.
LikeLike
Thank you Hobbler. Glad you liked it!
LikeLike
Pingback: More about The Most Wonderful Girl In The Universe (because some is just not enough…) | Guapola
Aw, so adorable!
LikeLike
Thank you, therecoveringbrit! We will take that as encouragement to be cloyingly affectionate wherever we are!
LikeLike
I LOVE They Might Be Giants, Birdhouse in My Soul! Perfect!
LikeLike
I asked my girl to pick the songs for the two posts.
She has this one as the ringtone for my calls
LikeLike
the prequel is always better. youza lucky people. 😉
LikeLike
Ridiculously lucky, Goradde.
And not always better. Star Wars Episode One, anyone?
LikeLike
Very brave of you. Not so sure I would be telling the how we met story. Perhaps some of the others, but not necessarily. I already am accused of being a porn site at least three times a week.
Red.
LikeLike
It seemed appropriate…and I love that story.
*off to look for those posts on your site…*
LikeLike
Awwwwwww. This is really cute! I can’t stop smiling!!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on April Laugh's Blog.
LikeLike
Thank you, April.
Hope your readers enjoy it too!
LikeLike
I’m glad you reposted this. I’d read it before and loved it. Good stories are worth re-reading! Thanks!
LikeLike
Thank you Elyse – glad you enjoyed it, again!
LikeLike