Six years ago I did something way out of my character and something that everyone tells you not to do. To be fair, I never intended to do it and never would have even dreamed I would have done it, but six years ago, there I was. Doing the very thing: Meeting an internet stranger.
Let me back up.
Six years ago in January, I swiped right on someones profile. There is some debate about what happened next, but from what I recall, I got a notification that he had also swiped right on me. A quick glance at his profile told me it was worth a shot. He checked off all the major boxes and even a few of the superficial ones. I figured why not. I had given myself a month and said I would try my hardest for a month. I expected nothing but wasn’t going to give up. I had only a few days left on my paid subscription. I messaged him hello. We talked for the next few months and I eventually found myself liking this guy who I would learn over the months, lived in South Dakota. Worked wild land fires and was, dare I say, kinda cute.
I told my sister one day after talking to him for a few months that I thought I might need to stop talking to him because I kinda liked the guy. Her response would be determine our outcome. “Why? If you like him, talk to him!” I repeated that phrase to myself over the next few months and finally, one random day, I decided that I needed to meet this guy. If I was going to keep liking him and talking to him I needed to see for myself who he really was. I didn’t want to keep going if he wasn’t real in real life as well. So I sent him a random message inviting myself down to see him.
Seeing him in the middle of summer was a gamble in and of itself, he worked wild land fires which meant he couldn’t predict if he would even be around but I figured I would take my chances. Which is how, six years ago in June I found myself in South Dakota.
I agonized over what to wear, finally deciding on a pair of jean capris, a daisy tank top and my bright red shoes with lipstick to match. My sister told me to ditch the shoes but I wore them anyways. He would later tell you that his first thoughts were my glaringly bright shoes and lipstick, so you know, I made a lasting impression.
He was late getting to the airport so I had a few minutes to pace and panic. Wondering what I had gotten myself into. If he had really stood me up. What would I do? I had no back up plan. I had no escape. I had told exactly three people where I was going and the real reason why. The rest knew I was “Meeting up with friends.”
And then he pulled up. In his white truck. He walked in and we shook hands “Hi I’m Christina” I said nervously saying what I had practiced over and over for the past day. “You must be Andrew. I’m Christina.” I said again. Following up with a final “I’m Christina.” Because yes, I introduced myself three times and he said exactly nothing. It was about as awkward as one could imagine.
We’d spend the next two days getting to know each other in person. I’d meet his friends and he’d eventually ask me to be his girlfriend. His friends would later say they thought I was “Quiet” -which, joke was on them, I am anything but. What would follow would be a two year long distance relationship during the pandemic. Because if long distance isn’t enough, we threw in the “We might not ever be able to see each other again” factor as well. Long distance isn’t easy, but for us, it worked. We were able to ask the hard questions without being face to face. We had the distance to make the visits all that much sweeter. And yes, we had struggles. At least once he thought I was breaking up with him and at least once, I thought he was breaking up with me. Because the silence, time zones, text message communication is hard!
But here we are. Six years later with two precious boys and what feels like a lifetime of memories. A major life move and revamp for me and a learning to be partnered with someone after being single for 31 years.
Happy “met you” day, my love. I’m so glad you saw past my awkward introduction and bright shoes and love me for my loud obnoxious self. I can’t imagine life without you and am so glad I get to do this with you.
Tangled Thoughts 