Our Story
(written from the perspective of the groom)
The story of how Meredith and I met starts several years ago. We were both college students, although at different colleges. She, a talented musician; I, a budding computer geek; neither one of us being very adept at making new acquaintances. But strangely enough, our paths did cross.
No less than five people would very quickly take credit for our first encounters, and each one of those five people probably did play some part. But in actuality, our first interaction was quite accidental. I had been eying the beautiful new pianist at my church for quite some time, taking the time to solicit the opinions of some of my friends, two of which, by the way, will be groomsmen in the wedding party. But my interest never inspired action more than distant admiration. I’m certain the admiration was not mutual, as she probably didn’t even know I existed due to my own social reservations at the time.
But I was convinced that if it was meant to be, circumstance would require us to eventually meet. At least, that’s what I told myself at the time to excuse my own cowardice.
Thankfully, my thinly disguised consolation turned out to come true.
In the fall of 2005, Meredith had started making visits to the school at which I was an employee at the time. She had become friends with the librarian, Mrs. Carlton, and would visit on Thursdays to catch up. I was also friends with Mrs. Carlton and would make frequent trips to the library for conversation. When I finally figured out that Thursdays were the days Meredith would visit, I started making excuses to be in the library as much as possible. After all, a computer geek can make himself look busy without anyone knowing the difference.
Still though, I would never speak. Straight to the computer; straight to the door. No time for conversation in between.
One day, though, I really was busy in Mrs. Carlton’s office. I noticed that a boy from the college there was trying to strike up a conversation with Meredith, and I could also tell she wasn’t interested. For some reason, still unknown to me, she decided that it would be better to join me in the office than continue the awkward conversation with the other boy. I was a nervous wreck.
But very quickly, I learned that I had never felt so comfortable talking with anyone like I did with Meredith that day.
Over the next few weeks, we had weekly library conversations. Mrs. Carlton noticed too, and started to push both of us when the other wasn’t around. But our first real conversation took place on Halloween night, 2005 during a church meal. We probably talked for 2 hours straight. I still remember what she was wearing that night. I can still see her smile in the moonlight.
A week later, we went on our first date. We ate ice cream and talked about life. We laughed and opined about church, politics, life experiences, and other far less consequential things. But none of that mattered. We both knew then and there that we enjoyed each other’s company and conversation. And in retrospect, that’s really all either of us was looking for.
It took us a couple months still to actually make anything official. I still carried a bit of apprehension, as did she. But soon we were officially dating.
And we’ve been dating for over 3 years now.
In January of 2008, I packed a picnic lunch and took her to the Biltmore House. After the tour, we drove to a lookout on the Blue Ridge Parkway where we shared the picnic dinner. I took a knee and presented her with a ring. She accepted and we were engaged to be married. The first chapter in our lives together had come to a close. But the next chapter had just begun.
One June 21st, 2008, Meredith and I will be married.