The sun was warm and the south wind gentle on that April day way back in 1989. Winter was slowly fading into memory as spring began to realize its promise. My children and I gathered with my parents to enjoy our first barbecue of the year and to celebrate Mom’s birthday.
I had just graduated from the university intensive care nursing program. The winter months had been spent studying, working and attending classes. Graduation had been the previous weekend and I was ready to have some fun so after the barbecue, friends and I were heading out for more partying. With no definite destination in mind, we somehow ended up walking through the doors of a newly established country western bar. How we ended up there I can not quite remember. Looking back .. it must have been fate.
The bar was new, crowded and lively. Many couples two-stepped across the dance floor. I have always loved to dance, but here I found myself ready to have a good time, good music playing, and no one to share the dance floor with.
As I sat at our table trying to make conversation over the loud music, my feet under the table took on a life of their own.
Looking about the room, I noticed two guys sitting a couple of tables away, sipping on their beers. I could see the taller one had his fingers doing the same dance as my feet. “What the h***,” I thought. I stood and walked across the room. My two friends, open mouthed, watched me go.
“Where are you going, Colleen?”
Not looking back, I continued walking towards the table. As I approached, both men stopped their conversation and glanced up. Still feeling no fear, I smiled, looked the tall one in the eyes and simply said, “Would you like to dance?” He smiled back and said he was sorry but no, he did not dance, but his friend did. My eyes swept over to his friend. This one didn’t look too pleased with my intrusion. His eyes were cast downward, focused on his beer. This was starting to feel a little awkward.
Finally he allowed his glance to move upwards. Our eyes met. “Want to dance?” I asked, now feeling a little sheepish. He shrugged, “ok.” I turned. He rose and followed me to the dance floor.
Once we reached the edge of the wooden dance floor we stopped, turned and faced each other. He smiled. Now it was my turn to cast my eyes downward. My shyness had returned. By then, as luck would have it, the pace of the music slowed. He opened his arms and I hesitantly moved into them. He gently and easily moved us across the dance floor. As I relaxed with the music and the motion, my head rested against his shoulder and my heart slowly began to melt. We fit together perfectly.
Two months after that night we combined our lives, my two teenage boys, his preteen daughter, and became a family. Eighteen years later, his smile is still capable of melting my heart.
Just as a side note… he later told me that the reason he initially appeared disinterested in dancing was because I had not asked him first. This still makes me smile.
Congratulations for finding a keeper. Don and I have been married almost 13 years, and I’m so glad we found each other.
I’d like to wish you and your family a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Cas
Wow. What a story!
A beautiful story. Strange how life works out when we take some bold steps.
Wow! What a neat meeting of “shyness”! It was definitely meant to be. I think you should make this a traditional post! It’s funny how different each couple’s love story is. We didn’t know right off…it took 4 1/2 years before we thought maybe we should get married! I was just 22 when we met and I was being really careful after just coming off a hurtful break-up. Others have the lightning bolts happening. Ours just grew slowly but steadily.
You two have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Thanks for your wishes too!
A great story and memory. Sweet looking dog too.
I LOVE that story! Especially the coda at the end.
A lovely story indeed.
What a perfect story for Valentine’s Day, sweet and romantic and lots of “awww….” power.
Meant to be.
Aw – I love a good love story! Happy belated Valentine’s!
What a wonderful love story… I think this is just as good as Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty… and to think, you didn’t have to contend with evil stepmothers, poison apples, short little dwarfs, cramped glass slippers, pumpkin coaches or a prolonged coma! I like your fairytale much better!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
You move fast!
I should talk, I was engaged just barely a year after my wife and I first met. It might have been earlier, but I didn’t feel it proper.
Silly me.
What a wonderful story! It didn’t take long to know he was the one, huh?
Wow! That was so sweet I got goosebumps. I love those how we met stories.
Sounds like the perfect combination! May you have many more dances together.
Simply lovely.
(I don’t blame him for the not asking first thing, either!)
Colleen … this is one of the neatest Valentine’s Day posts I’ve seen this year!
What a great story -
And the photo is lovely! I’ve missed reading you – I know I can’t catch up six months worth – but I enjoy at least looking over some of your photos (which are always so much fun).
WH
A true love story, maybe there is hope for me after all.