The Story
Life is full of surprises. Some good, some bad, some great. This one of those great things that when you look at it, you can’t believe how, why, or what you did to deserve this. This is the story of Me and Heather From Zero to Forever.
Fall 2011
So, I'm sitting in sacrament meeting one fall Sunday morning minding my own business. As I recall, several minutes into the meeting, a beautiful young lady came into the chapel and sat down about two rows in front and a couple chairs over from where I was sitting. Of course she caught my eye. It's not often you have the pleasure of being in the presence of someone so gorgeous. She was with another lady who appeared to be her mother and had two pretty young girls with her who I assumed to be her daughters. As is the custom of single men, I immediately noticed that she had NO wedding ring on! Now even though she was out of my league, I couldn't help but think: "I want to ask her out on a date".
Date Zero - April 28, 2012
Fast forward to April 2012. Ok, nobody judge me, but she did scare the crap out of me. So much so that I didn’t even ask her out. Someone asked me if I wanted to go on a double date with Heather, and him and his wife. OF COURSE! But I kept my cool and simply said, “Yeah that would be fun.”
It was hard to set a date where we all could make it. Partly because I was working 90+ hours per week and partly because she was dreading this date so much. (I found out later) So, finally there was an actual date on a Saturday night. She was late (it’s a habit) and we met for the first time. She was even more beautiful up close.
The date was awkward to say the least. We rode in the back of a car together with an couple older than us. Driving us around like we were teenagers and our parents were taking us on a date. She avoided talking to me and I kept reminding myself that I just needed to give this double dating junk a chance. It was a disaster. I left that night thinking she must really hate me, but I was determined to go on a real date with her.
This date is now known as DATE ZERO.
It was hard to set a date where we all could make it. Partly because I was working 90+ hours per week and partly because she was dreading this date so much. (I found out later) So, finally there was an actual date on a Saturday night. She was late (it’s a habit) and we met for the first time. She was even more beautiful up close.
The date was awkward to say the least. We rode in the back of a car together with an couple older than us. Driving us around like we were teenagers and our parents were taking us on a date. She avoided talking to me and I kept reminding myself that I just needed to give this double dating junk a chance. It was a disaster. I left that night thinking she must really hate me, but I was determined to go on a real date with her.
This date is now known as DATE ZERO.
Single's Ward - May 6, 2012
Despite the horribleness of date zero, she texted me the next weekend and asked if I wanted to go to the single’s ward in Austin with her. I agreed thinking, there’s no way this would be as bad as that first date. And it wasn’t. I got to know her a little better as we rode in the car to the ward building and she seemed a lot more receptive than our previous encounter.
As she has let me know numerous times since, her whole reason for bringing me was to pawn me off there so that I would not be her problem. (Thanks for telling me that babe) It was completely unsuccessful, because I had a good time with her and didn't really appreciate the ward. I mean, if I walked in with the hottest girl there, why would I leave without her, right?
As we drove back, we talked some more and I didn’t really want to take her home so we went to my taekwondo studio and talked for longer. Not quite a date, but I still enjoyed myself.
As she has let me know numerous times since, her whole reason for bringing me was to pawn me off there so that I would not be her problem. (Thanks for telling me that babe) It was completely unsuccessful, because I had a good time with her and didn't really appreciate the ward. I mean, if I walked in with the hottest girl there, why would I leave without her, right?
As we drove back, we talked some more and I didn’t really want to take her home so we went to my taekwondo studio and talked for longer. Not quite a date, but I still enjoyed myself.
Are You Serious!? Date #1 - May 9, 2012
Even though she was trying to get rid of me, she still agreed to go on a date with me. I wanted to make it great since our last “date” was such a disaster. The idea of teaching her a mini-taekwondo class and then eating ice cream afterwards came to mind. I thought it was a good idea though my delivery was tragic. I told her simply that it was a surprise. I can’t really imagine what was going on in her head after that or how I got her to agree to go with a stranger at 10 o’clock at night to somewhere she didn’t know. I’m sure the red cooler in the back seat of my car was a little unnerving too. But she went and I had a great time. She probably was still thinking of ways to get rid of me, but I’m persistent.
Date After Date - May 12, 2012 and beyond
After that initial date, she agreed to date after date. Most at late at night, and definitely no more surprises. I have to let you know, she was dating several guys at the same time, which I knew but didn’t really bother me. (Especially with how charming and handsome I am) She was guarded at first, not seeming to let me in or let me know if she really had much of an interest at all. But I figure that you don’t walk around Wal-Mart at 2am or stay up till the wee hours of the morning with someone you don’t like. Plus she either broke her rule of not letting me know where she lived or she thought I was trustworthy enough to know and not be a stalker. (little did she know that after that, there would be few days that I wouldn’t be over there)
Our dates were never really fancy, just out to eat at any restaurants that are open after 10pm or bowling, or movies. And we usually ended the nights by sitting in the car or her living room just talking. And if you know her, she is a talker! (Kidding babe)
She started opening up more and I could finally tell by the way she treated me that she had an interest.
Our dates were never really fancy, just out to eat at any restaurants that are open after 10pm or bowling, or movies. And we usually ended the nights by sitting in the car or her living room just talking. And if you know her, she is a talker! (Kidding babe)
She started opening up more and I could finally tell by the way she treated me that she had an interest.
First Picture Together This picture was one of the first pictures we took together. I really can’t show you the first one. (only me and Heather will ever know why) And I would get in trouble to show you any of the others since she wasn’t wearing any makeup and I’d probably end up in the doghouse. But I know she is beautiful in any picture she takes, so trust me, they’re all good.
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Dancin' - May 19, 2012
Shameless attempts of dancing with Heather up to this point were in vain. Attempts at 1am in the parking lot of a movie theater or in front of her house. Shot down every time! But one Saturday night she invited me to go dancing with her friends at a Country dance bar. I didn’t take much convincing.
I had the best time. She thinks she’s not a good dancer, but neither am I and I think she was pretty good. At times she seemed embarrassed when I would do something different, but she went along with it. I was just happy I got to be so close to her. Her friends left kind of early but we stayed and danced probably 10 more songs. Sweating profusely is something that is common for me. (remember when you wiped of my sweat, Heather?) So we decided to go play some pool. She won of course. (she always wins, but when she wins, I win I'm told)
That night when I dropped her off at her house, I decided to make my move! I had had what felt like several chances over the course of our dates to kiss her, and chickened out every time. Very unlike me. But this time was different. I was confident, and she seemed ready. As far as I can remember, (and I say this not to embarrass her but more to brag) we kissed for probably an hour or so (she says 30 minutes tops). I remember thinking, she must like me now if she’s willing to kiss me for an hour. (we had picked up some ice cream for her mom’s birthday, it was melted pretty bad I suppose) That was my last, first kiss.
I had the best time. She thinks she’s not a good dancer, but neither am I and I think she was pretty good. At times she seemed embarrassed when I would do something different, but she went along with it. I was just happy I got to be so close to her. Her friends left kind of early but we stayed and danced probably 10 more songs. Sweating profusely is something that is common for me. (remember when you wiped of my sweat, Heather?) So we decided to go play some pool. She won of course. (she always wins, but when she wins, I win I'm told)
That night when I dropped her off at her house, I decided to make my move! I had had what felt like several chances over the course of our dates to kiss her, and chickened out every time. Very unlike me. But this time was different. I was confident, and she seemed ready. As far as I can remember, (and I say this not to embarrass her but more to brag) we kissed for probably an hour or so (she says 30 minutes tops). I remember thinking, she must like me now if she’s willing to kiss me for an hour. (we had picked up some ice cream for her mom’s birthday, it was melted pretty bad I suppose) That was my last, first kiss.
Kayaking - June 1, 2012 The first date that she set up was us kayaking. Almost disheartening to know that her one date was probably cooler than all our other dates that I set up. We met some of her friends there and though I’m sure they knew we were dating, she didn’t want to really hold hands or kiss in front of them. (felt like a kick to the head a little) But it was an amazing date. I felt better as time went on and she would rather hang around me than her friends. (who wouldn’t, I’m pretty awesome)
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Meeting the Kids After many dates, she decided it was okay for me to meet her kids. Caught me off guard a little. This young lady who constantly reminded me that she was dating around, thought it time to meet her children.
At first I was terrified! If they hated me, she would ditch me for sure. How could I win over these girls? Then I met them, and though terrified, decided to try and just act normal. Her oldest seemed to like me right off the bat. Her youngesthowever, needed to warm up to me quite a bit. They are beautiful. (they take after their mom) I think they both like me now. |
Showing Her off to Friends - June 3, 2012
Now up to this point, I’d met a lot of her friends, but she hadn’t met any of mine. Maybe she thought I didn’t really have any. One Sunday evening I decided to take her to my friends, Tyler and Alyssa’s house for dinner. Worried that she might not like them or they might not like her. She must have been quite worried too cause I almost couldn’t get her to get out of the car.
They all hit it off and all my worries seemed to disappear. They said nice things about me, (unpaid by the way) and all was well. That night I will always remember cause of what happened after we got home.
They all hit it off and all my worries seemed to disappear. They said nice things about me, (unpaid by the way) and all was well. That night I will always remember cause of what happened after we got home.
EXCLUSIVE! - June 3, 2012
Just as it sounds! That night after talking again for hours, she finally put down her guard and let me know that we were exclusive. She had no desire whatsoever to date anyone else at the time. One of the “other guys” even asked her on a date the night we had gone kayaking and she had said no, cause she wanted to go out with me.
I had told her before that I wanted to be exclusive, but that I understood why she didn’t. Now it was official. We were no longer “just dating”, we were…I’m gonna put this word on here even though she hates this title… boyfriend and girlfriend. (or as she teases me about when I talk to other people, “my girl”)
I had told her before that I wanted to be exclusive, but that I understood why she didn’t. Now it was official. We were no longer “just dating”, we were…I’m gonna put this word on here even though she hates this title… boyfriend and girlfriend. (or as she teases me about when I talk to other people, “my girl”)