As I get older ( I didn’t say OLD, just oldER), the whole meeting someone and getting married issue becomes a bigger deal. I’m tired of the games we have to play to figure out if the person you like likes you back and vice versa. I’m rereading a book called “Boy Meets Girl” and the author thinks we should date fairly seriously with the goal and intention of marriage. If things aren’t working out, stop dating that person and move on. It’s pretty straightforward, but it sure saves alot of time fussin’ with all the standard rules (i.e. waiting 3 days to call before you ask a girl out, or saying no to a date if the guy asks you out less than 3 days prior, blah, blah).

Here’s my new philosophy. Boys, if you like a girl, send her one of those awesome first grade protoypes, with a few minor changes, you know, this one:

Dear So and So,

I like you. (and maybe I want to marry you someday)

Do you like me? (for reals, don’t be lyin’)

Check One:

Yes [] No []

 If we all start doing this, think of all the miscommunication and heartache we’ll avoid.

Was the post cheesy and specifically written with the hopes that Simon would read it? For sure.  But Simon read it.  And responded.

Yes [X] No []

We talked every night on the phone and occasionally emailed. There was no Facebook or texting.  We had to go “old school” and talk on cell phones, but not too much since those were the days of monthly caps on minutes used.  We actually got to know each other before we ever had any sort of physical contact.  And spoiler alert, we waited to be intimate until our wedding night.  Sorry to gross anybody out, but it was something we both valued deeply. Moooooving on.

A few weeks after all of this phone chatting, Simon flew out to California to meet everyone – my family, friends, and church.  It was his big chance to decide if he was all in or totally out. The weekend was pretty much googly eyes, heart fluttering perfect.  During his visit, we watched “Sword in the Stone” for no particular reason.  There’s a scene where Arthur becomes a squirrel and a female squirrel falls in love with him.  Arthur is trying to get rid of her but Merlin informs him, “I’m afraid you’re stuck, Lad. When a girl squirrel chooses her mate, it’s for life.” Simon and I laughed, then smiled with that heart melting smile only young love can bring.  We knew.

So if you’re still tracking here, I was in California, he was in Texas.  This was a problem. Fortunately, I had a friend from college reach out, saying she needed a roommate and that I should move back to Denton.  I went for it. Of course I told Simon it was something I had been planning to do anyway and that it had nothing to do with him. Lies, lies, lies.  Just wanted to cover my tracks so I didn’t look like a total stalker.

Before moving to Texas, I flew in for his college graduation in December 2003. I met his entire immediate family and grandparents for the first time.  Simon was so smooth (not) that he dropped me off at Cracker Barrel for breakfast, told me where his family was sitting, and went to get gas. No pressure or anything. Just gonna walk in and meet my potential future in-laws for the first time.  Man, he’s lucky I tolerated that nonsense from him!  During the ceremony later that day, I had to use the restroom and just couldn’t hold it any longer.  Instead of shimmying in front of all his family with my bottom in their faces, I hopped over the stadium seats into the empty row in front of us to get out.  His grandmother commented on my “agility” to his grandfather. Later, his grandfather, a retired orthodontist, noticed my straight teeth and we briefly discussed orthodontia. I knew I was in!

Two weeks after his graduation, Simon flew to California and drove with me to Texas for good. My family prayed with us and sent us surrounded in love.  My mom, who is probably the un-riskiest person you’ll ever meet, actually supported this crazy idea of me moving halfway across the country.  She said, at the worst, I could come back home. And at the best, I could discover the love of my life.  The road trip was three magical days of meeting up with friends in other states, sightseeing,  talking about everything, and continuing to grow our relationship.  Somewhere on a highway in Arizona, with a Lyle Lovett song playing in the background, he whispered, “I love you.”