17 Years Ago

17 years ago I was a senior in high school. I had been "talking" to a guy who was new to town and I really liked him. His aloofness was infuriating. He had come to our small-ish town from a very large school in Houston. He was used to going to a movie with a different girl every weekend and not having any sort of "official" girlfriend designation. I was the opposite and had only ever been out on "dates" with guys I considered my "boyfriend".
I'll never forget the first time he tried to come to my house. He had asked me where I lived at school that day and he said he was going to come over. He never showed. I was a little bummed but tried very hard not to show it the next morning. I seem to remember making a snide comment about him not keeping his word very well and he said, "I tried to come over! I followed the directions you gave me and ended up at somebody's farm!" I said, "Yeah, mine! I live on a farm." He was shocked!
That day he did show up. I was just getting out of the shower when I heard a strange voice in the living room. Luckily I had taken clothes in there with me! I came out and there he sat talking to my dad and playing with my dog. Jayme was the only football player I had ever dated. The team had just shaved their heads after winning or losing a bet, I can't remember which. In any case, I could only imagine what my dad was thinking about this bald guy who just showed up. A week later we went out for our first date. It was Halloween afternoon. We went to see Demolition Man. When we were still together when it came out on video I remember laughing about that never happening before.
We wouldn't be "official" for a couple more weeks and I never thought then that we would still be together 17 years later, but I can honestly say I am so unbelievably happy I accepted that first date. And all the others that have come after it. Happy First Date Anniversary Jayme. I love you!!