I’ve always wanted to write one of these love stories. We’re just a few days from our wedding and I am so overjoyed to marry Seth. Here’s part one of our story, I hope you enjoy it.
{Photo by Britt of Render Photography}
“How about August 31st?”
Seth asked me on our very first date. Our story begins two years earlier, though.
July 2015:
I was so sick of hearing about online dating but felt like I should give it another chance. Some college roommates and I had tried it once before, but it had been years. I created a profile, chose a few photos, and wrote a bio. I was always nervous about putting myself out there like that, how would I properly explain myself to potential dates? I could successfully write a resume, but I wasn’t certain about a Match profile. Photo selection was more my wheelhouse, but even there I agonized over what to choose. Too artsy and I’d attract weirdos, too sexy and the players, I quickly chose a smattering of images recent enough to feel fair and called it done.
A few hours later, I logged on to notice a message from a blond in business attire, his back pressed against a brick wall and megawatt smile. Wow. He had noticed one of my photos and commented on it: Where is this at? Makes me wish it was Fall! On a related note, you should feel awful, making me wish away my Summer ;). It was a snapshot I’d taken in autumn, while visiting a winery in Stillwater with college friends. The memories of that day are as sharp as if they were recent. Several of us had driven down from the city and spent the night on Main Street Stillwater, starting first with wine. I’d worn my hair in a long bob, had a hand me down striped top on, and my favorite Frye boots. I used to call them my magic cape. I don’t remember who took the photo, but I recalled feeling beautiful, happy, and full of joy for my favorite time of year and a fun night out with friends.
The significance of that moment at the time wasn’t known but, exactly five years later we’d close on our first home together up on the South Hill, just a twenty or so minute walk to that very winery. Don’t tell me God isn’t in the details. We just need to look back.
I responded to his comment and then awoke the next day to find an email from him. I had a strategy I used with guys; I’d ask many questions. There wasn’t a point to going on a date with anyone who didn’t share my values. I was surprised to hear back from him. We talked about so many things: our goals and hopes for the future, what kind of life we each wanted, and our hobbies.
I’d share Seth’s messages, but he’d be so embarrassed so I’m keeping them to myself, but there’s a snippet I have to include:
Where do you want your dream DIY fixer-upper house to be? City house, country house, or somewhere in-between? Does it even matter as long as it has a huge pile of pumpkins/gourds in the Fall? 😉
I had mentioned in my profile that my dream was to move into an old house someday.
I didn’t respond to his final email. And, a few weeks later, ended up closing my account.
March 2017:
I was sitting in the sunlight living room of my St. Paul, art deco style apartment. It was a usual early spring day in Minnesota, the snow still on the ground, but a sign of spring evident in the bright sunlight. I was thinking about the men I had dated. So very few were what I considered even interesting, and suddenly, Seth’s name popped into my head. I wonder what happened to him I thought. I imagined he’d married already, maybe had a baby or two. I looked him up on Facebook. He’d recently climbed Denali and stood atop the summit with his fists in the air. There wasn’t a wife listed and he seemed to be single.
So, I replied to his message from Match. On Facebook. Two years later.
He wrote me back. I’m so glad to hear from you! But…I’m sorry, I’m not single.
Ah. Shoot. But! Was it worth a prayer? Yes. I told my friend Marjorie that I said a petty prayer. I hoped he’d break up with whoever he was dating and ask me out instead.
In the following months we’d occasionally like each other’s photos on Instagram. One summer night I got a message “I always love seeing your shots in my feed. You have an amazing eye for capturing grace and humaneness. Thank you. :)” Wellllll, if you want to make a lady smile complement her work. We went back and forworth a bit, and I sent over my number. Turns out he was single, and well, my petty prayer had worked.
We chatted for hours over text. We were both out of town, and Seth had a business trip planned to San Francisco when I’d be back home again. I still recall the first time he called me. I was back home already; he had just landed in California. I picked up the phone, nervous, “hi” he said. Seth had a calm, sexy voice and a smile spread across my face upon hearing it for the first time. He was headed to his favorite bookstore he said, they had antique and rare finds, then a stop for dinner. By the end of the conversation we’d set a date to finally meet face to face.
Seth seemed to have the same vintage loving sentimentality that I did, but he also had a mind of his own and wasn’t shy about his opinions. Despite our unorthodox years after college, photography for me, venture capitalism for him, neither of us taking the usual Minnesota corporate route, we each had an affinity for old fashioned values. He was the first man I had been excited about in years. I was dying to meet him.
August thirty first.
I couldn’t wait.
Stay tuned for part two…
