Your Stories – She Was Taken! By Sonofabeach96

Every time I read a story like that it puts a smile on my face. It’s not always a smooth ride but boy, if you know it’s worth fighting for, you know. What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Sonofabeach96!

One of my best friends was a dart player.  He was in a league that rotated sites from week to week.  On this particular night, he and I had planned on going out later in the evening so he invited me to come with him for the dart tourney first.  It was in this crappy, lounge-lizard hotel bar.  I’d never been there but was game.  When we got there,  he went to greet his league mates and I grabbed a stool at the bar.  I was enjoying my drink and watching some sporting event on the tv behind the bar when someone asked if the stool next to me was occupied.  I turned to see her, a vision to behold.  I said no, and she proceeded to sit down.  We introduced ourselves and proceeded to talk.  It was easy and free-flowing.  Felt like I’d known her for years.  Turns out, she was there with her fiancée, he threw darts for the team competing against my friend.

I was disappointed to hear she was taken.  I would have invited her out that night if not.  I had never met anyone like her.  And I felt connected to her immediately.  But, I figured that was that.  Never expected to see her again. She was engaged.

Flash forward about 6 months and I went to a friends apartment to pick something up.  I walk in and who do I see?  It’s her!  I couldn’t believe it.  My heart skipped a beat, mouth dry, words stammered.  I composed myself enough to say hi and ask how she was, etc.  There were a few people there and they were all going out in a bit.  She had come with a friend who knew another of my friends’ date.  She asked if I was coming out with them, but I couldn’t.  I already had plans.  I nearly ditched my plans to go out with them, just to be near her again.  But, she was engaged.  What was I thinking?  I’m not that guy, the one that would attempt to break up a couple.  So I said sorry, I wouldn’t be able to.  And I left, again never thinking I’d see her again.  Pity.

Flash forward a few more months.  A group of us were out one night.  The place had an outdoor deck and that’s where we were hanging out.  In she walks.  I couldn’t believe it!  Where we were sitting had tall tables and stools.  When she came over to the table, all were occupied.  I offered to share mine so she could sit.  She did, for the rest of the evening.  I was nervous as a school boy initially but that ease returned quickly.  I swear it was if we were long lost friends, reunited and getting on like we’d never been apart.  I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.  I was full-on smitten.

As the night progressed, I was party to a conversation about going to visit my dart throwing friend in Chicago the following weekend.  He had moved there about 3 months prior and I hadn’t been to visit yet.  She and one of my friends’ fiancee were planning a girls trip up there. I kind of blurted out that I’d like to go too.  Blatantly inviting myself along was a bit bold, but they said it was fine if I came along.

That weekend in Chicago was our beginning.  While there, I asked if she’d go out with me once we returned home, and she said yes.  We held hands, we laughed, we shared a crappy under-inflated twin air mattress in my friends living room.  I wanted to kiss her, and more, that night on the air mattress.  But I was a gentleman.  I could feel her warmth, her breathe.  I was hooked.  And once I found out she was no longer engaged, it was game on.  I had to have her in my life.

We dated, we waited, but our first time was magic, and we both rate that in our Top-10.  I did break up with her once.  I panicked at the sheer magnitude of the feelings she inspired in me.  It was for less than 24 hours.  Called the next day and told her I regretted doing that the moment the words came out of my mouth.  We’ve been inseparable since.

That was in September of 1992.  We moved in together in May of 1993, and lived together for 3 years.  I eventually proposed to her, in Chicago, of course.  we were in the observation room at the top of the Hancock building.  sunset, people staring and clapping.  Its still one of our favorite memories.

We were married in June of 1996, a wonderful wedding on a beach, and we were blessed with a beautiful sunset.  It was magical and i will never forget watching her walk down that sandy aisle, coming to me, finally to be mine forever.

It’s not always been rainbows and butterflies.  We’ve endured tragedy, an autistic child, preemie twins with NICU’s and cardiologists.  The sudden and unexpected death of her mom.  But we’ve withstood any and all attack on “us”.  We’ve traveled, we’ve had adventures, we’re in the middle of remodeling our 113 year old farmhouse, doing most of the work ourselves.  Raising these 3 wonderful boys, together as a united front.  It’s been a journey, and a trip.  But I wouldn’t trade a second of it. I love her more than life itself, and her and our 3 boys are my most precious gifts.  I’m one lucky man, and still can’t believe I have her.  I’d wish this kind of love for everyone.  The world would be a much better place if that were the case.