Friday, March 12, 2010

The Opposite Sex: Wratch

I am unbelievably lucky that I have the partner that I do. His name, if you didn't know, is Rich. He's pretty much the most lovely person on the planet. I adore him.

Rich and I met in college. Actually, sometime during the first week of my college career, between orientation and my first exam, I saw him across the room. In a millisecond I knew that I would marry him. Seriously. You can stop gagging. It's true. A "voice" we shall call "intuition" whispered it in my ear. Instead of the pronouncement garnering that warm mushy feeling reserved for the beginnings of Nicholas Sparks books (the endings reaping a different emotion), mine was more akin to what it feels like when one's stomach drops at the first intonation of a tornado siren. Panic. I ran home and called Jen (who will confirm my account), and said, "Jen, guess what!? I just saw the person I'm going to marry!"

She, the ever-calm and rational presence, asked, "What's his name? Tell me about him."

"Uh. I don't know. I haven't actually talked to him, yet.."

And that was the beginning. It only took a month for me to collect myself and actually talk to him. Er.. really, it only took me a month to: find the perfect event, a street dance in this case (yes, darlings, it was the 90's), put together the perfect granola/attractive outfit to draw his attention, practice possible conversation openers with my roommate, and steel myself for the first words that would essentially begin what I was sure would be, "the first day of the rest of my life."

Melodramatic? Yes.

A true assessment? Also yes.

Obviously at that time I did not know the sheer impact of that first meeting, the extent to which knowing Rich - growing up with him, traveling the world with him, being a co-parent with him - would truly change my world for the better.

I suppose I could list traits and actions that describe why Rich exemplifies the perfect version of the opposite sex for me. Probably that is too much for a less than sappy blog post. What I will say is that Rich is the most considerate person on the planet. His love is unconditional, his patience infinite, his kindness apparent. He's reason to my manic. He's stability to my chaos. In short, he's both my opposite and my compliment and I am a lucky, lucky girl.

This post was inspired by the Loose Bloggers Consortium, a small and feisty(!) global community. We write weekly on a common topic (The Opposite Sex, this week) and post responses - all of us together, simultaneously, from all over the world. (Lovely!) Please visit Anu, Ashok, Conrad, gaelikaa, Grannymar, Judy, Magpie 11, Maria and Ramana for other wonderful posts.

11 comments:

Grannymar said...

Ginger, that sounds much like the way my romance and marriage started. As one of my friends said to me recently "You never had any doubts." She was correct, I didn't.

Rummuser said...

You are one lucky lady indeed. My admiration and best wishes to you and Rick.

Sam Tang said...

You never told us this story...or maybe you did. I never paid attention in class.

That is sweet though.

Sandy said...

Very sweet story. I'm happy for you.

Jen said...

Yep! I remember that conversation! I was so excited for you and couldn't believe you didn't know him!

Rich is a great guy and I am so happy you got up the nerve to talk to that tall Red headed boy! He truly is one of a kind!

Love this story! Thanks for sharing!

Christine said...

Lovely lovely lovely.

Rummuser said...

Ginger, I have been wanting to mention this a number of times but somehow never did. Most of the times that I visit your blog, I am unable to read your posts as the page is completely black and often extremely difficult to read even the contrast lettering.

Ginger said...

Grannymar - If there were doubts, they came later when I realized how young and foolish I was at the time I was making such huge decisions. Even then, I never doubted the "who" of those decisions. It was more about timing.

Ramana - Yes, I am very lucky! Also, about seeing the blog: It sounds like the blog isn't loading completely on your computer. The base of the picture is black, but a blue overlay should pop up, too, making the writing easy to read. I'm sorry that it's been an issue.. Probably I'll change the layout soon.

Hi Sam - Hope you are well. What are you? A junior?

Thanks Sandy! I hope you are well!

Jen - You know better than anyone how this all played out! :) I miss you!

Christine - Sometimes, when you remove the goofyness, Rich and I can be lovely. :p Sometimes..

Pam said...

Talk about love at first sight. That is without a doubt the most romantic "how I met my spouse" story. Love it.

Christine said...

the goofiness is part of the loveliness!

Lisa (the girls' moma) said...

You need to write more about Rich. I love hearing about your relationship, and I love you both. Yes, you're goofy, but you're also real and authentic and intelligent and risk-takers. You try and you work and you don't expect things to be handed to you and I love that. Rich - I'm thankful that my friend found you and made you my friend too.

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Opposite Sex: Wratch

I am unbelievably lucky that I have the partner that I do. His name, if you didn't know, is Rich. He's pretty much the most lovely person on the planet. I adore him.

Rich and I met in college. Actually, sometime during the first week of my college career, between orientation and my first exam, I saw him across the room. In a millisecond I knew that I would marry him. Seriously. You can stop gagging. It's true. A "voice" we shall call "intuition" whispered it in my ear. Instead of the pronouncement garnering that warm mushy feeling reserved for the beginnings of Nicholas Sparks books (the endings reaping a different emotion), mine was more akin to what it feels like when one's stomach drops at the first intonation of a tornado siren. Panic. I ran home and called Jen (who will confirm my account), and said, "Jen, guess what!? I just saw the person I'm going to marry!"

She, the ever-calm and rational presence, asked, "What's his name? Tell me about him."

"Uh. I don't know. I haven't actually talked to him, yet.."

And that was the beginning. It only took a month for me to collect myself and actually talk to him. Er.. really, it only took me a month to: find the perfect event, a street dance in this case (yes, darlings, it was the 90's), put together the perfect granola/attractive outfit to draw his attention, practice possible conversation openers with my roommate, and steel myself for the first words that would essentially begin what I was sure would be, "the first day of the rest of my life."

Melodramatic? Yes.

A true assessment? Also yes.

Obviously at that time I did not know the sheer impact of that first meeting, the extent to which knowing Rich - growing up with him, traveling the world with him, being a co-parent with him - would truly change my world for the better.

I suppose I could list traits and actions that describe why Rich exemplifies the perfect version of the opposite sex for me. Probably that is too much for a less than sappy blog post. What I will say is that Rich is the most considerate person on the planet. His love is unconditional, his patience infinite, his kindness apparent. He's reason to my manic. He's stability to my chaos. In short, he's both my opposite and my compliment and I am a lucky, lucky girl.

This post was inspired by the Loose Bloggers Consortium, a small and feisty(!) global community. We write weekly on a common topic (The Opposite Sex, this week) and post responses - all of us together, simultaneously, from all over the world. (Lovely!) Please visit Anu, Ashok, Conrad, gaelikaa, Grannymar, Judy, Magpie 11, Maria and Ramana for other wonderful posts.

11 comments:

Grannymar said...

Ginger, that sounds much like the way my romance and marriage started. As one of my friends said to me recently "You never had any doubts." She was correct, I didn't.

Rummuser said...

You are one lucky lady indeed. My admiration and best wishes to you and Rick.

Sam Tang said...

You never told us this story...or maybe you did. I never paid attention in class.

That is sweet though.

Sandy said...

Very sweet story. I'm happy for you.

Jen said...

Yep! I remember that conversation! I was so excited for you and couldn't believe you didn't know him!

Rich is a great guy and I am so happy you got up the nerve to talk to that tall Red headed boy! He truly is one of a kind!

Love this story! Thanks for sharing!

Christine said...

Lovely lovely lovely.

Rummuser said...

Ginger, I have been wanting to mention this a number of times but somehow never did. Most of the times that I visit your blog, I am unable to read your posts as the page is completely black and often extremely difficult to read even the contrast lettering.

Ginger said...

Grannymar - If there were doubts, they came later when I realized how young and foolish I was at the time I was making such huge decisions. Even then, I never doubted the "who" of those decisions. It was more about timing.

Ramana - Yes, I am very lucky! Also, about seeing the blog: It sounds like the blog isn't loading completely on your computer. The base of the picture is black, but a blue overlay should pop up, too, making the writing easy to read. I'm sorry that it's been an issue.. Probably I'll change the layout soon.

Hi Sam - Hope you are well. What are you? A junior?

Thanks Sandy! I hope you are well!

Jen - You know better than anyone how this all played out! :) I miss you!

Christine - Sometimes, when you remove the goofyness, Rich and I can be lovely. :p Sometimes..

Pam said...

Talk about love at first sight. That is without a doubt the most romantic "how I met my spouse" story. Love it.

Christine said...

the goofiness is part of the loveliness!

Lisa (the girls' moma) said...

You need to write more about Rich. I love hearing about your relationship, and I love you both. Yes, you're goofy, but you're also real and authentic and intelligent and risk-takers. You try and you work and you don't expect things to be handed to you and I love that. Rich - I'm thankful that my friend found you and made you my friend too.