He was a college crush. After class we all went to get coffee. He was already seated with some friends and when I approached, I asked if I could join them. Just as smooth as silk, he said, “We’re pretty particular who sits with us.” I thought, what a jerk! I sat down anyway, and the rest is history.
—Sandy
Postscript: After 41 years of marriage, we have many blessings to be grateful for. He is still pretty particular about who sits with him.
It was Christmas and our first time exchanging gifts. He gave me a tin of Ghirardelli Chocolates. He had opened the tin earlier, took out all the dark chocolate (which I hate) and replaced them with extra milk chocolate. Although it was a small gesture, the fact that he knew those insignificant details about me made me feel so special. It was the tiniest things he did that made me fall in love with him.
—Ali
Postscript: I never told him I loved him, because I wasn’t sure I did. Looking back, it was definitely love. I still consider him my first love. We are just friends now, but one day I think I will let him know how I really felt.
It was a Friday after work and we went out for famous chicken burritos. I am a practicing Catholic, and remembered it was Lent and I should not be eating meat on Fridays. I quietly said to myself, “oh no it’s Friday.” I didn’t even think he heard me. He did, and immediately spit out his food. I didn’t realize exactly how much my religion meant to me, but having someone share that connection made me realize we had a bond that was deeper than I thought.
—Elena
Postscript: We have been married for 23 years.
I’ve always been shy. But for some reason at a summer concert I really wanted to hold his hand. He didn’t even know I liked him. As the show ended, I slid my hand into his. He didn’t shake me off. I knew at that moment that any guy who got me to step out of my comfort zone like that was someone special.
—Catherine
Postscript: We dated for almost a year and he was the sweetest most genuine boy I have ever been with. After almost a year of dating, I broke it off when we went to separate colleges. I still wonder if I made the right decision.
When I was 14, I was devastated when my boyfriend of two months broke up with me for another girl. Upon the break up, his best friend continued to befriend me. Although I dated multiple boys through high school, the two of us hung out every weekend and he was always there for me. He would take me out on dates, tell me I was beautiful, and we would tell everyone that we were getting married (mainly a joke at the time.) But a point came when I knew I loved him. He was the only boy that I had ever been able to rely on, I told him that I wanted to be with him and two days later he hung a huge sign on a watch tower that said “Will you be my girlfriend?” I knew at that point that I couldn’t be any happier than being with my best friend.
—Deb
Post script: We have been dating for two and a half years and are going strong
We become friends at work even though we did not have much in common. He was disciplined, orderly and worked everything through with quiet reserve. I worked like a tornado went through and took “walking talking” breaks. But, I knew he was a good person with a soft heart. Not being the guy for me, I was determined to introduce him to girlfriends, thinking any of them would make a wonderful girlfriend. After several failed attempts—every woman introduced was not his “type.” He finally told me that he was only humoring me because he wanted to spend time with me.
—Ana
Postscript: We were different but we shared morals and values. That’s what brought us together and what has kept us together.
Everyone thought that he needed practice being a father. He was 43 years old, what experience would he have. Plus, he never did show interest. I was never worried. When the time came, he was there ready and was there through it all. And when a little girl was delivered, he looked up with the biggest smile on his face and excitement in his eyes and said, “It’s a girl! You knew how much I wanted a girl! She’s the most beautiful baby I have ever seen!”
—Ana
Postscript: I always loved him, but that day I knew I was such a lucky woman. He still an amazing husband and father.
