Brian's version of How We Met
It all started with "You're going with me to this party in Pittsburgh." When Teddy said that to me, my response was "Ah, no." Teddy, of course, would not take no for an answer, and Labor Day weekend in 2005, we drove out to Pittsburgh for the second "pirate party." (The party was for those of us who played Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates) After we got there, I woke up from a nap and headed outside for a drink and some cards. While I was playing, I noticed this cute girl sitting by herself. I went over and sat down to spark up a conversation. I inquired a bit and found out she was thinking of moving to Chicago. I start talking about great places to live and such. After 4-5 minutes, she looks at me and says, "I'm sorry, where you saying something?" Pow, right to my gut.
Soon after, the entire group went over to Golden Corral for some eats. While standing in line, I once again strike up a conversation. A new pay lane opened and we both moved into that lane. Trying to be a gentleman, I pay for Vanessa's meal and we grab some plates. When I went to look for her so that I could sit with her, I found she had gone and sat somewhere else (she'll claim she saved me a seat...sure she did :P).
This continued the entire weekend. The worst part was, I didn't even know (at the time) what I was doing. We joked around at the Ren Faire, she ran away. We ate pizza and I massaged her back, she ran away. I put my arm around her on the porch, she ran away. Then, the final morning, we hugged good-bye. A long hug good-bye. It was the warmest, most comfortable hug I have ever had. It lingered. We finally let go and the intrepid travelers headed back home.
That week after the party, we began talking through the game and instant messenger. Still, in my mind, it wasn't a big deal until a friend finally made me admit that I liked Vanessa. That weekend, after having a couple drinks at a cousin's wedding, Vanessa IM'd me. During the conversation, she inadvertently let slip that she liked me back. The next day, I called her on the phone and we talked for over 4 hours.
I decided after that phone call, I wanted to go back out to Pittsburgh to see her. We figured out that due to schedule conflicts, I either had to go that weekend or wait four weekends until I could see her. That Monday, I bought a plane ticket to see her that Friday. I didn't want to wait.
That first weekend together was magical in ways we did not expect or see coming, but it began a relationship that has so far lead us to 5 years of happiness, 3 big moves, involved 3 major metropolitan areas, crazy cell phone bills, too many plane tickets and a lot of laughs. I know I'm looking forward to many more years of laughter and happiness together.