It's About Time!

How we first encountered one another is different for each of us, oddly enough. Kelsey and I attended a theater festival in early high school. I starred in my school's production as "Adam", while Kelsey lurked in a booth and managed lighting and sound for her school's production. Apparently, I left an impression during that performance. Later, we properly met at a science camp in 2003. I know, we are and have always been huge nerds... Kelsey, upon seeing me, approached and enthusiastically said, "ADAM!" with a beaming smile on her face. I proceeded to look over my shoulder for this Adam person to whom she referred. Nobody was there. Confused, I turned back to this girl I didn't know and informed her that I wasn't this Adam person she thought I was. And thus began our romance. I introduced myself and we continued with our days. Two days later she finally explained what had happened. We laughed about it, found common ground, and became friends. After a week together, learning about programming, video editing cardboard tubes and broom handles into light sabres, biology, building trebuchets (I got to show off my budding carpentry skills and excessive knowledge of medieval siege weaponry on this one!) as well as many other important life skills, we became close friends. We exchanged emails and Kelsey went off to continue her summer, while I went on a family vacation to Mexico for a week. I had no experience dating at that time, and so deliberated on the intimidating task of asking out a girl. A few days into the trip, I got up the guts, and wrote the most embarrassing email of my life. With a page and a half of generally displaying a lack of game and self esteem in the dating world, I managed to say, "Will you go out with me?". Seriously, the letter is painful to read. Despite my lack of eloquence, Kelsey decided it couldn't go worse than her last date, as she had already gone on a date with another science camp romantic who beat me to it. We planned an extremely creative and exciting date that included dinner at Red Robins, followed by a walk across the mall parking lot to see Pirates of the Caribbean at the movie theater. Driven by my Mom, and wanting to make a good impression, I arrived 15 minutes early. My Mom waited in the car, apparently doubting that I actually landed a date, while I stood outside the restaurant awaiting Kelsey's arrival. It was an agonizing 45 minutes. At that age, and before cell phones, I wasn't clear on how long to wait and what to do if your date doesn't arrive, so I just waited and hoped I wouldn't need to hop back in the car for a ride home. After an eternity, Kelsey arrived, to my great joy and relief, and my Mother was able to finally drive home, relieved I'm sure. After some apologies regarding a family enforced hair session, followed by a photo op, we went on with our plans. Kelsey attempted to fool me into thinking she was ladylike and dainty by ordering a salad. She later told me she wanted a burger but was trying to impress me by having a salad. (I still don't really understand.) Her attempt went awry as it's difficult to appear elegant during a conversation while attempting to fold oversize lettuce pieces into ones mouth. All that said, I was infatuated. Conversation was enjoyable and natural. We were both having a good time. Like a true gentleman, as an effort to distract Kelsey's distress over the salad fiasco, I spilled a full glass of sprite on my lap. (Or so I like to claim. Clumsy? Me? Never!) After a tree or two worth of napkins and paper towels, with a damp pair of pants and underwear, Kelsey and I headed to the movie. This part of the date went smoothly and we agreed to meet up again soon. With a hope that she wasn't just being nice in saying we should have a second date, we boarded our respective parent's vehicles and headed home. After that, we saw each other again, and again, and again, and again, until after many years, here we are, finally ready to make all these years official!