We met in college, in Humanities class. I thought that he was the best looking thing in the universe! I also thought that he was way out of my league. I was pretty insecure as a teen and young adult. The thought that he could be even remotely interested in me was way beyond my understanding. I did not even get it when he would walk me to my car after class. I just thought that he was a thoughtful person. It was night classes and the parking lot was a scary place in that part of town. For many weeks we would walk out together and he would wait while I put my books in the car and I got in all safe and sound. Actually, there was another guy that walked with us. I hardly remember him even being there because all I could see was "him". I hung on every word that he spoke. I really listened. I decided that maybe I should call him at work and ask him to my place for dinner. I felt so nervous as I dialed the phone. What if he said no? What if he thought that I was a fool? I decided that nothing ventured was nothing gained and I made that call. Just about the only thing that I knew how to cook was homemade spaghetti sauce. So I call and invite him for some homemade spaghetti and to my surprise, he said "yes"! Oh my goodness, I really had butterflies then!
I wore a dress for the occasion. I made my sauce. I set the table. I tidied up my apartment. I was a nervous bundle of energy! He was supposed to be there at six. I went back to check my face and makeup. Okay fifteen more minutes. Fourteen. Thirteen. Is the sauce still simmering? Are the noodles clumping together? Should I light candles? No, don't light candles. That would be strange if he thinks this is just two friends having dinner. Oh, no! It is six-fifteen and he is not here. Did I give him my phone number? What if he got lost? Okay, it is six-thirty. Did he forget? Now, it is seven. Oh, great! I have been stood up! I feel like such a fool! It is seven-thirty, I suppose I should put away the spaghetti. What was that? Someone is knocking on my door! I open the door and I melt. There he is all apologetic about being so late. Some kind of problem on a job. (This was way before cell phones) and I had not given him my phone number. Dinner was delicious!
We had a wonderful dinner and then we went dancing. He took me home and we sat in my living room talking. Nothing more than just good old fashioned conversation. During this time in my life, I worked one full time job during the week and took classes full time for four of the nights. I also worked every weekend at my dad's store. I would open the store at six in the morning. We sat and talked until five. I had to push him out of the door so that I could get to work. We did the same thing the next night. The next weekend was a repeat, too! Of course, we saw each other at college. There was no mistake! We were in love!
It took us six years to finally walk down the isle! I do not know why it took us so long. Perhaps we both worked too much. It could be that we were chicken because so many of our friends had married and divorced. Whatever, the reason we waited does not matter. What is truly important is that we did! And guess what? It has been nearly 27 years since I walked down that isle and right at 33 years since that spaghetti dinner. And, yes, he is still very often late for dinner and yes, he is still very much worth the wait! I still get those butterflies and I still love him with all of my heart!