Thirty Years Ago Today

Thirty years ago today, I met Ty.

I was a student, just transferred to a new college, living with my sisters, recently single from a one year relationship, and out with friends looking to have fun.

We were at a bar dancing. I wasn't allowed to drink yet because I was only twenty, so the actual bar part was off limits. I had been out dancing and the song had ended and I was heading off of the dance floor to get a drink of water. I was following behind a real good looking guy and all of a sudden he turned around and asked me to dance. I, at first, told him no, I wanted something to drink but he convinced me to just dance one song. About five songs later, I really needed a drink. He told me thanks for the dance and we went our different ways. (He was old enough to drink)

It was kind of funny because as soon as I was off the dance floor, girls I hadn't spoken to or even knew were there were asking me about the guy I was just dancing with. I didn't catch his name and I didn't know if we were going to dance anymore. Remember, I was out to have fun and not meet any guys, still burned from my last relationship. But there he was, wanting to dance some more and I was off to the dance floor where we danced until the bar closed. He was amazing.

What happened next, I am not really proud of. But he was my first and only one night stand. I took him home to my house and we had sex. I remember him telling me that we would have beautiful kids and me replying, that no I was on the pill.  (But he was right.)

He happened to leave his wallet at my house, so I drove it to the address on the license and returned the wallet to his roommate. I left a note with my phone number in case he wanted to ever meet up again and be friends. I was not looking for a boyfriend. I get a call that night from him and he was all freaked out because I knew where he lived and this is when that movie Fatal Attraction had just come out. I thought he was being a jerk, so I hung up on him and that was that.

A week later, he started coming into where I worked, a little coffee shop on campus. I refused to help him even though he sat at my table. But the guy was persistent and after awhile my co-workers felt bad for him and made me serve him. Well, he was apologetic and wanted to know if we could go out. How could I say no to such sincerity?

So we started dating and have been together ever since.

Thirty years later and I am so in love with him. I cannot believe how lucky I am to have found him. He loves me no matter what (and I am not always very lovable). We have grown up together, dealing with life and it's challenges, and still no matter what, here we are - through thick and thin.