We all have those moments that forever alter our existence. For some it’s the time they discovered that mixing hot water with cold water creates warm water, while for others it might be that winning lottery ticket. I have a moment that would change EVERYTHING about my life from that moment forward.
On November 20, 1993 I was a 17-year old Senior in high school, and I had a very important date with an interesting 15-year old Sophomore girl I had met weeks earlier. This date was like many dates kids have in high school; it consisted of a terrible movie, a lame dinner, and holding hands in the mall. But unlike most other high school dates, I still wake up next to my date these 13 years later. I know, I know, many of my readers cringe at the thought of being married to a girl you dated in High School, but I can guarantee you that this high school girl was very different.
To summarize my first date in as few words as possible let me throw out some facts from this date:
- I commented to this girl that I was surprised how much food she ate at dinner. (Honestly I wasn’t even thinking that this is a taboo subject around girls, I just was shocked that she devoured that taco salad like she did. And I really thought it was cool that she didn’t pick at her food.)
- When getting out of my car to go to the movies, I slammed her hand in the car door. (For first daters I can recommend this move if you want to hold your dates hand for a while.)
- I went to the mall thinking that the movie theatre was within, only to find out that it was across the street. (Again, this provided a nice place to walk while holding my dates swollen hand.)
- After arriving at the correct movie theatre and waiting in line in the freezing cold… I got sick! I mean run to the bathroom at-this-very-moment sick. (So in my wisdom I handed some cash to my date, and said “I’ll meet you inside.”)
- Let me summarize the movie in only Three Little Words: Addams Family Values. (I might have been the only person in the world to have a second date after taking a girl to see this movie.)
Let’s just state the obvious. My first date with the future Mrs. LittlePastor was a colossal failure. However, I learned something very valuable about this girl when I returned to school the next day. She hadn’t told anyone about all the dumb things I did. This is priceless! I actually met a girl that didn’t get kicks out of making me look stupid. I could do this perfectly on my own, with no assistance necessary.
So on the 13th year anniversary of that terrible, yet most wonderful of dates I say to my wife of 8 years. I love you Starr. Thanks for the second date, and the third, and the fourth, and the……
