Eight Years

Eight years ago Tuesday (the 10th) was my first date with Ben. I've been wanting to write about that because a) We have been asked more than once "how on earth did Ben and you get together" (it is not meant meanly, but Ben and I are pretty different, so it's a common question)

b) I think it's fun to remember how we fell in love- I love reading through my old journals of when we first got together

c) I want to record it for our kids and grandkids

Ben and I met at an ice-skaing activity through the church in January 2004. He was with his sister, but I didn't know she was his sister so I went home wondering if it was his girlfriend or what.

Then, about a month later I was asked to organize a camp-out for our church and I was told I could ask anybody I wanted to be on my committee. I remembered Ben, thought he was cute, so I asked if he could be on my committee.

Ben had several other responsibilities at the time and had only been camping once in his life, but (as he says) he thought I was cute so he said yes.

So we got to know each other a little bit working together.

One Sunday night we were on the phone talking about some funding issues for the camp-out. It was strictly business. We hung up. Then, he called back and asked me if I wanted to carpool with him to the fireside (church meeting) that was being held that night. I wasn't planning on going to the fireside, but since he asked if I wanted to go with him, I said yes. I admit to thinking it was a little awkward for a first move. I was like, "do you want to drive, or should I?"

We ended up having a great time. I had just gotten back from Paris for a school trip, so after the fireside I invited him to come inside and look at pictures from my trip. He came in and we had hot chocolate and talked until after 10- super late for a school teacher and Ben, who likes his sleep. Ben still considers this our first date. I completely disagree.

I expected him to call. But he did not.

At least not for about 3 weeks. But finally he did. (He insists he called several times before then, but I was never home and he hated leaving messages. This is plausible since I was coaching track at the time and working 10-14 hour days). I was very impressed with his directness. He said:

"I want to take you to the movies on Friday night at 7 o'clock."

This was different than almost all other guys who "asked me out" by saying something like:

"I am going to a party on Friday night. Maybe if you go we can talk to each other."

I liked that Ben knew what he wanted and didn't beat around the bush.

We talked for a few minutes about what movie to see and decided on "Hidalgo."

On Friday he came and picked me up and another thing Ben did really impressed me. He said:

"I know we decided on  'Hidalgo'. But it's playing at the cheap theater, and I don't want to take you to the cheap theater so I thought we could go see 'The Prince and Me' instead."

I have no problem with a guy taking me to a cheap theater- you know I like frugality. But, I was really impressed that he wanted to do something nice and treat me special. It really did make me feel special. So off we went to Bowles Crossing, on April 10, 2004 to see "The Prince and Me." (We still have not seen "Hidalgo.")

We had such a great time! We had so much to talk about. After the movie neither one of us wanted the date to end. He took me to ColdStone (which he doesn't like at all, though I love it) and we went back to his parents house (because that's where he lived) and stayed up late talking.

From then on it seems we were pretty inseparable. I didn't even know he was shy until we had been dating for about 6 weeks and I had a party at my house and he sat in the corner all night long. I asked him if everything was OK, and he said, "I'm actually really shy." I can't get him to stay quiet and we always had a million things to talk about, so I know a different Ben than many of you. That's how I knew Ben was "the one": It was so easy with him. Nothing was forced- everything about us was always so natural.

So, that's the beginning of our love story- a love story that will never end.