#LoveMeOrtizMe 03.21.21

The first time I saw Anna was while I was waiting tables in Savannah, GA. She sat in the section I was serving with one of her friends. It was a busy day but the most memorable part of it was the glow in Anna’s eyes every time I went to check on her table. She definitely had my attention, but it got so busy there on taco Tuesdays that I didn't have time to say anything more than the regular small talk while waiting tables. And before I knew it she was gone… she left me a note on the receipt, inviting me to church, along with her number. I have to be honest, I should have called her right away but working double shifts at a restaurant made it difficult to get out. A few months passed by and while cleaning out my drawer I found the note she left me, and decided to reach out to her. I was disappointed to find out she was in Maryland and would not be back for a few weeks. We texted back and forth for a while but that was it. Our busy lives must have kept us from reaching out to each other. Months later I decided it was time to find a church to call home in Savannah. The first church I go to, everyone was all smiles but the one that caught my attention was Anna’s. I wanted to go say hi to her but I felt a little awkward since we haven't talked in a while. I wasn't even sure if she would remember me. I left that Sunday without saying a word. The next week I went back to the church and was planning on leaving right after the service. On my way to the door, I was stopped by this girl who came hurdling over chairs to stop my quick getaway, it was Anna. Her glow was just as bright as the first day I saw her. And now I'm the one who would jump hurdles for her anytime.

It all began in Carlitos Mexican Restaurant - Taco Tuesday. This tall dark and handsome waiter came to our table, flashing a smile and some jokes as he asked for our orders. Every time he came by checking in on us, he made sure not to linger too long but always left some butterflies behind. Towards the end of our night, we finally got our check and said our goodbyes... but not before leaving my number with a note and a smiley face. Naturally, we talked a little bit here and there but we were both engulfed in our lives and were never able to get to know each other. About a year went by when I noticed this mysteriously good looking guy sitting across the way at church. He looked familiar, and at the end of the service, he disappeared! That very next Sunday my friend (who was with me that day at Carlitos) came running up to me explaining that this mystery man was the same guy I was blushing over a year ago! SOOO, knowing he likes to disappear after church, I made a run for it before he walked out the door! Out of breath and flushed I pretty much punched him on the arm asking him if he remembers me. Not my finest moment, but it turns out he still had my name in his phone as "Anna cool Chick". He still has that as my name (with an added 'my fiance') and it's so ridiculous, but it's also pretty amazing. The rest is going from one blushing moment to the next, and I can't wait!