He Had Me at Hello...

I woke up on May 8, 1997 not expecting my life would be changed before I laid my head down to sleep that evening. I was interpreting at a local University and the day held a 'field trip' for my student's Business class. The field trip was a tour of a large manufacturing facility and lunch  for my friend/client/student, "Mike and his classmates. As the class and I gathered in a conference room to await our special tour guide; I never would've imagined that the man who walked in the door, would be the man I would walk down the aisle to marry one year later.

We were introduced, shook hands...my heart knocked, "Helllloooo, I know this guy. Renee, look...I know him". I was at the tail of end of a horrid relationship (Webster hasn't invented the words to describe it, but it was bad). My head threw 'the hand' up in my heart's 'face' - "Talk to the hand, 'cause the Head's not listening to you, Heart"!! My heart's feelings were hurt, tucked tail and retreated.

I remember right before the tour, Rich saw I was having a wee bit of difficult putting anti-statics belts on my heeled pumps..like the Prince to Cinderella, he knelt down and securely fastened each one. Heart: "Beat, beat...but really..don't you recognize....", Head: "Shut the hell up".

So we toured, I worked, we had lunch, we talked. The tour and work ended...we shook hands and parted ways. "Mike" and I were walking away from the building. Right before we got to the parking lot I turned around for a glance back. Rich was standing there with his friend, "Joe", watching us leave.

It took 3 months to slowly progress to our Love Story - my Head and my Heart went to war. The battle was ugly, blood, sweat and tears were shed, both had grown weary. In the end, my Head raised the white flag and my Heart won in the end!  Rich said he knew - but knew I needed time to realize we were meant to be together.

One year later, May 8, 1998 we were married in a wedding chapel in Nashville, TN! We ran into his friend, "Joe" one day soon afterwards.

Joe: "Rich, did you tell her what you said to me that day you met?"
Rich: "No, I never did".
Joe: "Rich said to me, Joe - if she turns around and looks at me, she's mine forever".

My heart laughed... and then smiled. It knew all along!

Happy 12th Wedding Anniversary, Rich! I Love you endlessly and completely! 10,000 Times!