Jesse was a friend. He’d been a good friend of mine. Jesse got himself a girl, and I made her mine…

I still remember the day in 2000, the day I decided I wanted Erin for myself. It was a primal thing, one of those man-feelings you get when it’s time to step up and claim your destiny.  I hear the lyrics to Jesse’s girl in my head as I write this, because that’s what it was like – I simply had to have her. And keep her. There was just one problem. She was dating a friend.

I was with Jesse – on a ride to pick up his paycheck. He had his new girl with him, this sexy little blonde with the curliest hair and prettiest face. Her lips and teeth formed this amazing symmetry that my brain recognized as a perfect smile. I’m smiling as I write this. She was wearing this cute little dress that accentuated her perfect curves, and she was shy. I liked shy, it offsets my obnoxious character.

I found myself needing to impress her. Problem was, I had nothing to impress her with. I had a shitty job, no license, and did I mention she was dating my good friend? In the back seat of Jesse’s black Chevy Lumina, while they sat up front I was trying to figure out how I could flirt with this girl. I had to be careful, because if she didn’t like it, I was in trouble with both of them. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and I just could not sit by and let this amazing girl get away.

This Is Where I Fell In Love

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We arrived at Jesse’s work, and he left to go get his check. Big mistake. I pulled out my manly arsenal of lingering eye contact, smirking confidently, laughing at her comments, asking engaging questions. Ah, I was at my best that day. I don’t know if that was the moment for her, but I remember a conscious decision to pursue that perfect girl at all costs. And I did.

Through everything, we are here today. And we’re getting married in September!

I still get that feeling 9 years later, you know. My throat get’s tight, my stomach knots and my face flushes. Sometimes it’s a lot to handle, and feels like that really gay scene from American Beauty – you know, the floating bag -and he says something over-dramatic like – “Sometimes there’s so much beauty in the world it feels like my heart will explode”. But such is life for a romantic dude like me. I can’t wait to marry this woman.

Show Me Some Love If I Deserve It!

Tags: erin, family, love, wedding