Someone asked me a couple of weeks ago on FormSpring how I met The Mister. Here is part 3.� You can read part 1 here and part 2 here.
…………………………
My friend, Steve, didn’t approve.
“Jules, you don’t even know this guy.� You’re going to get in a car with a guy you don’t know and drive to LA?� This doesn’t sound like you.� The drive alone will take you an hour and what happens if you don’t like him or you get a bad feeling?� Why don’t you do something local, like a movie or grab some coffee?”
“I don’t like coffee.”
……………………….
The Mister didn’t fare much better with his roommate.
“Dude.� You’re taking a girl from the bar to a museum?� Why? You’re going to be stuck with her for an hour before you even get there.� Do something safer, like coffee.”
“She doesn’t like coffee.”
………………………..
I picked The Mister up for our first date.� His apartment was on the way to LACMA and even though I was acting completely out of character by going on a date with someone I didn’t really know, I’d seen enough episodes of Law & Order to know the handsome guys can have a touch of The Crazy.
…………………………
I knocked on the door; he called me in. I poked in my head and smiled like someone who goes out on first dates all the time.� The Mister stood up from the sofa where he was sitting and smiled, his right hand loosely holding the strap of a backpack sitting next to him.
His roommate, Chad, was aloof.� He still thought the museum idea was stupid.
I realized I was still wearing my sunglasses and pushed them up quickly, not wanting to appear rude.� They got tangled in my hair and I yanked at them too hard from the nerves.� They fell off my forehead and landed lopsided on my nose, giving me the appearance of a nerd freshly shaken by a bully.
The Mister smiled wider.
…………………………
On the car ride to LACMA he was direct and upfront, like a candidate for a government position who believes in full disclosure.
“You should know I have two tattoos.”
“Okay.”
“One on my calf and another on my back.� Is that going to be a problem?”
“I don’t think so.� I always wanted a tattoo, but I don’t know.� They’re permanent, you know?”
“Yeah.� Sometimes I like mine, sometimes I don’t.”
…………………………
I didn’t know what I was doing, so I went for coy and casual.
“I’m not looking for a serious boyfriend.”
“You’re not?”
“No, I don’t need to get married anytime soon.”
“Well, I would like to get married.”
“You would?”
“Eventually, sure.� My brother just got married.� He seems happy.� Being happy with someone doesn’t seem so bad.”
…………………………
When we got to the museum we continued to talk.� I told him everything I remembered from the biographies of Freida Kahlo and Vincent Van Gogh I had read that year.� He told me everything he knew about ancient Egypt and the antiquities, a subject that up until that very moment used to bore me to tears.
We were there for hours and then it was dark.� On the way home, we stopped at Acapulco for dinner.� I ordered something grilled, probably fajitas.� He ordered a combo plate with a little of everything.� He offered me one of his enchiladas, cheese oozing everywhere.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t.� I’m lactose intolerant.”� Always with the TMI.
“Oh, I’m sorry.� I didn’t know.� Did I just lose points?”
………………………….
We considered going to a movie after dinner, but decided 8 hours was long enough for a first date.
I figured he would call me two days later.� He did, at 8:00am.� He went with me to buy shoes but I couldn’t find anything because I was too nervous to concentrate on footwear.� At the end of our second date he invited me to visit him at the bar the next day during his shift.� I showed up as planned and he offered to make me a smoothie of my choice.� Restaurant smoothies are usually full of milk, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.� I told him to make me whatever everyone usually gets, figuring I would leave shortly before the milk ate away at my bowels.
I watched him talk easily to his customers and toss a few bottles in the air, showing off just a little.� He walked back to me, smoothie in hand.
“I made you a Gold Medalist, but I left out the cream.� You’re lactose intolerant so no dairy, right?”
Right.� I’m lactose intolerant.
And that is how I met The Mister.
How exactly the way it is supposed to happen. I want one!
Your story made me tear right up. Aww. How wonderful for you!! :)
Sigh. I love it. This is the third time I’ve made this deep comment, but it’s true. And you realize that you’ve started something now, don’t you? You’re gonna have to be like The Pioneer Woman … and just keep the story going. You’ll be writing “how I met the Mister” #5,052 and we’ll still be sighing and tearing up and asking for more …
Bravo!
First time commenting to say: Love it! These stories are the best, although I have to admit your “break-down-the-door” intruder has freaked me out for days. My sister lives in an apartment by herself! Ahhh! Anyway, please write more! Tell us about your engagement, your wedding, etc. Please!
This series of posts has been one of my favorites. I love your writing style; you had me hanging on your every word. What a great story to share!
I have loved reading these posts – thanks for sharing them! Your story is a wonderful one and definitely deserved sharing. I really enjoy reading your blog – you have a great writing style that is fresh and always interesting – it’s my daily must-read during my coffee break from work! Thanks x
More!!! We need to know in great detail how he kissed you for the first time, asked you to marry him, looked at you on your wedding day, reacted when you found out you were pregnant, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (since you reference the King & I a few days ago)
Such a lovely story – and written beautifully!! Thanks for sharing, I loved it. I was thinking you should make yourself a book of the story with photos of you and the mister for your baby!
You have created a monster! Your way with words has sucked us in and we are clamoring for more, more, more! The Mister sounds delightful and since I have also found my wonderful husband I know how special the relationship must mean to both of you. Thank you for sharing something so special.
Now get on with the novel!
Way too short . . . what happened next? How long did you date? When did you get married? Etc, Etc. There are so many more details you could share (if you want to)! Sorry for my ignorance if you’ve shared this before, but you are a terrific storyteller and you’ve made me way too curious!!!
I am loving this series, and finding myself excited to open up my Reader everyday and read the next installment. Keep ’em coming!
I need to know what happens next! I’m getting giddy FOR YOU just reading this, I love it!
BEST “how I met” story ever.
You are quite the writer!
I’m torn between being satisfied by the ending and wanting to keep reading every detail of what’s happened since. That’s a sure sign of talent, right?
I love this story to pieces. Completely cute. I think I may have developed a slight crush on your story. I couldn’t wait to read the 3rd installment. I say you keep going. And going. Thanks for sharing!
Aww – so sweet! I am tearing up right here on my lunch break! Your story is so captivating, like a good novel. Maybe you should turn it into one! (I’d buy it!!!)
Loved it! Thanks for sharing! And thanks to your Mister for being cool about you sharing it.
I, too, would like you to continue on.
It’s only fair, after all, that you finish up how the whole “I’m not looking for a serious boyfriend” thing turned around – because I’m totally going to assume that it did.
a couple weeks ago went on a date and had to refuse something cheesy with “can’t, crazy high cholesterol” because I also have the gift of sharing! that boy will not be my “mister,” but am glad that there is hope that such craziness will pan out at some point. as for this whole trio of stories? love it. love love love it.
AWESOME.
Sooo sweet. I want a Mister!! Ha..!! I was pushing back the tears (again) when he remembered you were lactose intolerant.
The story of the guy at the door has freaked me out as well…..last night, on the way to my car, I was sure I was being stalked.
No more horror stories.. :)
Cutest thing ever. Good job, Mister. (I know he’s reading these comments. ;)
love this story! thanks for sharing it!
and yeah, the door-dude is major freak-o!
gosh, I was determined not to like my now-husband when I first met him….ha! he was out to prove me wrong then, and he’s still doing it every day – gosh i love him! glad the Mister got you and not the creepy door-dude!
Oh sigh….I love that you finished this part but now I want more, more, more!!!!
You HAVE to finish it now that we’re hooked! (Not to sound pushy…I’m just so excited to hear more)
LOVE THE STORIES!!! PLEASE tell us more! You are awesome at storytelling! When is your book coming out???
Oh my gosh, so so cute. You made my eyes water! I’m so happy for you both.
Damn girl! you got some serious writing SKILLS!
waiting on part 4…
This is absolutely adorable. I read the whole thing to my roommate and we both believe that this is a perfect love story. We also just realized that we are 21 and could meet our future Mister at any moment, I just hope it’s as perfect as this.
so, then you must tell us about the next date, and the next…. we are hooked.
Thanks, everyone. :)
I’m glad everyone is as big a fan of “how they met” stories as I am. I LOVE to hear how people met. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a love story.
Love your story!
Oh, man… Is there a part 4… soon???
Love your blog, Jules!
MY HUSBAND HAS THE SAME TATTOO…what’s up with that?!?!
awwwwww… sooo cute!!!
Oh, he had you at “you’re lactose intolerant, right?” I love that. I really love that.
Nicest thing I have read in ages. Yep – love is everywhere – its happening all the time.
Nicest thing I have read in ages. Yep – love is everywhere – its happening all the time.
Le sigh. There is hope for the rest of us!
finally, I waited forever for this
i just spent the morning with my coffee reading your love story. you just added to my (already) wonderful weekend!
i think i’m like 99.9% in love with your blog! especially this story! it is adorable! i love hearing all about couples, and this one was perfect!! thanks for sharing! :)
This is so cute. Thank you!
Omigosh!! I SO enjoyed this story–SO ENJOYED!!! I usually don’t read stuff like this on blogs, just get the recipes and ideas, but I loved this! Thanks for sharing!
sigh. tear.
I should have went to bed a while ago…but then started reading your blog. ops
I found you on my friend Miriyummy’s blog.
I hope you and The Mister are as adorable as you were 13 years ago.
Keep writing! You are a delight!
Oh, I thought I was just reading a book…yes, more please. How about the first kiss, I need a part 4! Love the story, you guys are so cute!
Thank you for posting!! I love it! Similar to my story but mine is a little mre complex due to the different cultures. Please post more! Post what happened next and how you knew he was the one!!! Thank you!
I’m catching up. ;) Love it.
My face just lit up at the end. LOVE IT.
What a fantastic story! I’m so glad I followed the link at the bottom of your most recent post. The Mister sounds charming. :-)