I enjoy being a part of the blogosphere. Statistics have shown that there are well over 100 million blogs, so sometimes I just feel like a small speck amongst many; however, I enjoy the outlet of writing and the interaction it provides. Through blogging I have also met some new friends as well as reconnected with old ones; but the thing I enjoy most is telling real life stories about myself, my family (even though they might not always appreciate it), and those who enter my life each day. So in keeping with “letting you into my life” and in honor of Valentine’s Day, I am going to tell you the juicy love story of how I met my wife. Before you continue reading, you should know that this is my version although it may subject to the harsh editing of my wife. So…here it goes.

My love life for the first two years of college was described when Three Dog Night sang a song called One which at some point says, “One is the loneliest number.” Sure…I remained busy playing soccer and hanging out with friends, but I still had not found that love connection. All that changed at the beginning of my junior year when a gorgeous woman with long, straight, and flowing hair caught my eye. I have never been a very forward guy when it came to asking girls out, so I had to plot a course of action (i.e. involve others in making sure she noticed me). To make a long story short, I found a mutual friend who knew this “yet to be identified” woman and paid him lots of money to drop my name. He agreed to do so, but then I found out she was going on a “friendship date” with one of my best friends. After burying his body…just kidding…I talked to my good friend and did find out that it was just a casual date, so I begged him to drop my name. He was happy to do so because he knew I could beat him up. Eventually I discovered her name was Leah (pronounced Lee-ah, not Lee) and I got the courage to ask her out. What gave me hope is that I had seen hundreds of guys during my first two years of college who dated hot girls and they themselves were, let’s just say, ugly. This is also proof that there is a God. Since we went to a Christian college which some would describe as a military school, our first date was a speech recital. I can’t remember what the recital was about, but I just remember the feeling which came over me as I sat next to her. It’s the same feeling I have right now as I type and she is watching Criminal Minds. If she is scared tonight, she will want to hold me! Leah met every qualification I had: she was hot and she was willing to go out with me.

Of course there is a lot more to the story, but now we have been married almost twelve years (if I get that wrong, I’m dead) and have two beautiful kids. I would not trade my life for anything. I love my wife and kids and thank God for giving me so much more than I deserve.

There is one side note which does not fit in anywhere else, so I’ll mention it here. We were recently looking back at one of the first photos taken of us after we started dating and she said, “You looked like a dork back then, but I changed you into what you are today.” That picture is the one featured here.

Was I really a dork back then?