I was lying in bed when my cousin called and invited me to a Memorial Weekend barbecue. I had nothing else to do, so I decided to go. It was unusually cold -more like early spring than the start of summer. With a little hesitation, I got up, braided my hair in two, threw on a pair of jeans and headed out the door. Clearly I wasn't trying to impress anyone but a simple smile caught Jean's attention. With an introduction from his friend, we started talking, and although the air was cold, the conversation felt easy and comfortable. By the way he smelled AMAZING! With an unusual burst of courage, before I left to head home, I made the move and asked for his number. Something about Jean just felt different. After that short memorable conversation, I went home and went straight to bed- not thinking much about that chance meeting. But when I woke up the next morning, there was a message from Jean, checking to make sure I got home safe. That simple gesture started our story. Several years later, from an unexpectedly cold Memorial Weekend came something real warm and lasting.