Our Love Story Pt. 1 - How We Met

Four years ago if someone would have asked me what I thought my future would be they most certainly would have gotten an answer along the lines of "No marriage, a career, just me and my baby".  That's what I had planned. After a few heart breaks I decided that I would just be alone for my entire life. I erased the word "marriage" from my vocabulary as well as the thought of ever having to "answer" to someone that didn't understand who I was or what I wanted. I was independent and hard-headed. I wanted a career but I still wasn't sure of what. I had a 4 1/2 year old son that was my world. He was all I needed and all that I wanted.

Through out that next year I did become lonely and looked for love in all the wrong places. I wanted to be happy but still didn't know where to find it. Around November 2009 I gave up. I gave up on looking for love and happiness. I decided that if it was meant for me to have someone then he would come into life some way.

On January 8, 2009, I was sitting at my desk in my office when my friend Casey sent me a text message that said something like her mom had called her [Casey] saying that her [Casey's mom] friend had asked if she knew of a good, single girl that her son could befriend or possibly date. So of course Casey told her about me. At the time I was like "really Casey..." but now I'm so glad that she did. Casey asked if it was okay that she give this guy my number because he was headed to her store to get it anyways. I was secretly terrified but excited at the same time. Around 7 pm a number I didn't recognize called my cell phone but being that I was still at work I didn't answer it. I knew it had to be him and was reassured after I listened to the voice message he left. I sent him a quick text message letting him know I was at work and would call him back when I left the office and was headed home.

As the clock ticked closer to eight o'clock I was getting increasingly nervous but knew that I did have to call him back since I said I would. After I left work I drove a little ways before I got up the nerve to call him. Actually I think I was a few red lights from the office when I dialed his number. Secretly I wished he wouldn't answer the phone and would have to call me back. My wish was not granted as he did indeed answer the phone. We talked for practically the rest of the night. He was so easy to listen to as well as talk to. He made me laugh more than I had in a long time. Finally we came to the realization that we both had work in the morning and should go to bed. He asked me to go to lunch with him the next day and actually meet. I agreed and said we would talk tomorrow.

The next morning as I was on my way to work Drew called me asking if we could still meet for lunch. Again I was so nervous I almost wanted to tell him that I couldn't do it. He made a few jokes about going to eat sushi and I thought he was crazy. As I pulled up to my office we agreed to eat at this Mexican restaurant at 11 o'clock and hung up. I went inside telling my co-worker that I must be crazy to go meet this guy on somewhat of a blind date. He agreed.

The time came for my lunch break and I was a few minutes late getting out of the office. Drew called and asked was I still going to be able to make it. I really wanted to tell him no but instead I said I was just a few minutes from the restaurant. When I pulled up Drew was standing in front of his work van and my heart skipped a little beat. He was pretty handsome! I quickly thought I wasn't in his league and he wouldn't want to see me again after this lunch date. I had little confidence in myself and I'm sure he could tell it. Over the next hour we got to know each other a little better but there were still a few awkward moments of silence. He learned about my son and I learned about his 3 kids and his ex-wife. We talked about our hobbies and he charmed me with his humor. We left the restaurant planning for a date the next night (Saturday).

That day he broke down a little piece of the wall I had around my heart. I didn't even think it was possible but he did it. For once I had a little glimmer of hope that it was possible there still was a good guy left in this world! I was excited...still nervous...a little anxious...but a lot happy!!

For Part 2 of Our Love Story - How I Fell In Love come back tomorrow...

Ashley