The Big Sappy

I admit it. I'm a big ol' sap. I cry at old movies. I choke up over really sweet love stories. I wear my emotions on my sleeve.

Every couple has their own history and significant dates. For us, the most significant date isn't actually the anniversary of us taking this little dog and pony show legit . . . or even when the state in which we got that piece of paper made our union actually legal. No, our most significant anniversary is that of our first date. Which happened 21 years ago today.

I'd known the Phenom as a student. We occasionally, but not terribly often, would run into each other as we darted across campus. Each time, we'd end up stopping and chatting . . . sometimes for quite a while. As the Phenom was nearing leaving school and joining the big, scary world . . . we'd say "we should get together for coffee sometime."

Just a couple of months before the Phenom left our little campus, I was waiting around to meet a student for a study session. It was an early summer, and very hot. So, being near the building where the Phenom had an office, I popped up to chat and part take of the free air conditioning.

The Phenom was out, but the office mate acted as if I were suspicious, so I left a note suggesting coffee. I honestly never believed I'd get a call back. But, a friend of the Phenom found the note and goaded and prodded until the Phenom called just to shut him up.

We met for coffee. Coffee turned into several hours of talking. Talking turned into a stroll around town (and pinched flowers from a public garden) and the stroll turned into dinner and that dinner turned into happily ever after.

I think we work because we are temperamentally well suited. We tolerate each others' little insanities well. And, we really do have a good time together on a regular basis. And, we drink. Sometimes, quite a lot.

It's been a long haul . . . but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.