Way Back Wednesday- Part II

How Mike & I Met: Part 2

So where was I? Ah yes, a little spark between Mike and I...

After meeting up in late July 2000, we started talking pretty frequently via phone. Because Mike was in Connecticut, that was our main connection point and that was a good thing. We caught up and got to know each other again. It slowed things down in a good way.

During the next few months, I was fighting off the impulse to feel too much too soon, to let myself fall for him. I had been out of any serious relationship for just under a year. Since my tendency was to jump from one relationship right into a new one, I had taken a break by choice to get myself centered. I wasn't eager to start relying on someone- I kind of liked the fact that I found my independence again. I had time to work, to see friends and to focus on completing my Master's degree. It was important for me to maintain control of my own life.

Mike invited me to attend a wedding with him in August. His siblings and his mom were also there. It was a BLAST! We had so much fun together. How could it be this easy to date someone and feel secure with the situation so quickly? I was used to the drama of that whole guessing game- Is he really that into me? With Mike, I didn't have to wonder. He actually talked about how he was feeling and not in a creepy stalker way...just open, honest and very sweet.

Whenever he was in town, we spent time together. Some of that time was with one of our families and it was just perfect. I got to know his friends again and he got to know mine. We fit into each other's lives. In October, we went to a wedding in Maine- that trip was probably a turning point in terms of things being a more serious commitment. It's funny the things you remember but I recall being worried about how much I had packed for a 3-day weekend. I was worried about what Mike would think about my rather large suitcase. It turns out, his suitcase was the SAME size. I thought to myself, "We are meant to be". He didn't care that I needed an hour+ to get ready for the actual wedding (like I have that much time to get ready for anything these days). I was maybe a little bit high maintenance but he didn't seem to mind. To this day, it is one of the BEST weddings I have ever been to and I didn't know anyone except Mike at the start of the weekend. I enjoyed every minute of it & his friends were very welcoming.

After that trip, there was no way I could deny what was happening. I was falling in love with Mike. Once when we were out together, just having a beer, I remember him looking at me and saying "We should elope". I told him he was crazy but if I had said yes, I think he would have done it. As Christmas approached, I remember telling Mike that he could not propose to me at Christmas...I told him that I loved him but I just wasn't ready yet. (what girl does that?) His sister got married in March, 2001...I caught the bouquet. That is the one and only time.

Fast forward to May, 2001: Graduation was finally here. Apparently, Mike wasn't going to propose to me during graduation weekend because he didn't want to overshadow this milestone in my life. During the week, when we talked, I told Mike that I felt like I had already graduated and this ceremony was just a formality. I had actually completed my degree in December but had to wait until May to "walk". I had no idea he was planning to propose. We had looked at engagement rings, just so Mike had an idea of what I might like but that was a few months earlier and I honestly hadn't given it much thought since then.

So Mike came home for my graduation and that Friday night we were planning to get together. I was beside myself and I don't even remember why. I was on the phone with him crying about how tired I was and he offered to come pick me up so I didn't have to drive to his mom's house. Mind you, he had just driven 3 hours from Connecticut...this did not strike me as odd.

Mike called back while I was taking a shower but I had heard the phone ring. My niece, Erica, happened to be there and took the call. I kept asking her why he had called and she was trying to make up an excuse because he had told her he was going to propose. Well, I got some idea in my head that the two of them were planning to play a joke on me and I started flipping out about how I wasn't in the mood, etc. I even called Mike back to yell at him. Erica could not figure out why I was acting so crazy. In retrospect, I think the stress of 2 years of school/work/etc. just finally hit me. I did not expect a proposal. If I had been in Mike's shoes, I might have decided that being engaged to a crazy person was not the best plan.

Luckily Erica got me to calm down & assured me that no trick was in the works. She kept me at bay while Mike talked to my parents and showed them the ring...

Oh, you didn't think I was going to tell you EVERYTHING, did you?
Now you have to come back next week :)