Fast forward through graduation and picking colleges three hours apart, Blondie and I were starting our college experiences. As we continued to hang out during weekends and summers that we made it back home, we eventually became a duo when that common friend joined the army.
Here's where it gets interesting. Blondie was dating other girls and I was dating other boys, but my sister - MY SISTER! - decided she liked this boy and that we was HER preferred choice for a brother-in-law. (It's always all about her. ;-) ) She started quietly and subtly telling me how handsome he was. Started slowly changing my perspective of him when I'd never previously viewed him as anything but a friend. I brushed it off and ignored her for quite some time. THEN one night in a Waffle House (all great things in the South could potentially be tied to a Waffle House, fyi) she actually said right there in front of him that we should just kiss once. See if there are any sparks and then she'd leave us alone. Keep in mind this is the first he'd ever heard of this nonsense from the relationship pusher I called a sister! I was HUMILIATED! Without saying a word, I simply got up and walked to the juke box to escape the awkwardness. Little did I know during my absence, he confessed he'd be open if he thought I'd remotely reciprocate. It was a rare time that this blonde friend was candid.
Fast forward a day or two later, he and I were hanging out at a friend's home and I determine it was time to leave. Blondie walked me out to my car, like the gentleman he was. I looked up at him knowing what he said to my sister that night and told him, "It's not that I don't find you attractive or anything; I just don't want to ruin our friendship." But as true as these words were, I was relieved to say them. I didn't want a relationship with my <shudders> friend. I was off the hook! I saved the friendship and didn't hurt feelings! But then he leaned down and gave me a firm, closed-mouth kiss on the lips. Not a quick peck, but one of those slightly longer ones that made me really wish for more. I sat there like a fool with my eyes closed and my chin pointed up and out waiting for another. AND IT NEVER HAPPENED. I put myself out there and this turd just teased me! What. The. Hell?
A few weeks went by and he dated another girl and I dated another boy, but we continued to hang out when we both came home on weekends every two to four weeks. Then one night we found ourselves watching VH-1 on my parents' couch. Eventually my head finds its way into his lap and he played with my hair for some good time. I laid there thinking about things, about him, and wondering where I wanted things to go. Had he and my sister plotted together? And if so, why was I so easy to trick? Why did I really want this friend to kiss me so badly? Curiosity? Fate? Then the video "Champagne Supernova" came on the TV in it's weird psychedelicness and I laid there so relaxed and so very curious thinking this would be a cool song to have a first kiss to. Then time crept on by and the video was almost over. At the last second a little light bulb went off telling me "DUH! He's never going to kiss you if you're facing the TV, idiot!" So I looked up at him and it must have been fate because in that instant he leaned over and planted a real kiss on me. FINALLY! And there WAS chemistry and I WAS interested.
That was April 4th, 1996. We were nineteen years old and looking to spend the next three years apart in college. I told him I didn't want to be serious; I mean, it didn't take me long to ditch the boyfriend I had when I moved away back in August. I was worried I'd lose one of the best friends I'd ever had because of distance and stupidity, but we enjoyed the summer and we were young. Our Fall semester was like three whole months away! Then August 1996 rolled back around before we knew it and it was time to move away for our Sophomore year. I sat at his show (yes, this tall, blonde, handsome fella was in a band) and watched at least two or three girls give him way too much attention afterwards. IT WAS TOO MUCH! In a snap decision I walked up to him and announced that I wanted to be serious and did not want us to date other people. Jealous much? :D Much to my joy he simply said, "Okay." He was mine and I still didn't realize that meant forever.
All of our Sophomore year, he was mine. Our Junior year, specifically November 1997, we were engaged and April 1st 2000, we said "I do."
I cannot thank my sister enough for being the one to slap me straight when I almost let a good thing slip by. I owe her a lot in life for being amazing, but this by far was the greatest gift she ever gave me.
And I cannot thank my husband enough for being the boyfriend, fiancé, husband, and father to my children I always dreamed of. So April 1st, 2014 is our fourteenth anniversary and I am still very much in love with the best friend I have ever had and looking forward to fifty more.
Shelly
P.S. Clay and I believe the secret to a successful marriage involves never, EVER seeing each other poop. Take that advice, my friends.
