I had just finished training overseas for my company, when I was asked to go back to Tahlequah to train another class. At first, I was frustrated. I was exhausted from spending the last 26 weeks straight, traveling around the state and across the world. However, shortly after the class started I realized WHY I was there...
There was a very witty and charming, man in my class. He laughed at my jokes (terrible) and kept me on my toes. I remember that I went home and told my friend: "There is this boy in my class and I really like him, as stupid as it sounds, I admitted that I felt a pretty strong chemistry..." True disappointment set in when I found out that he had a girlfriend ... Some of her friends were taking a collection for the "Andrew engagement fund"... I... Was... Devastated... I brushed it off with a million excuses... "I can't date employee's anyway", "He lives in Tahlequah and I in Tulsa", "He probably doesn't even notice that I'm there..."
I returned to Tulsa, and learned that he had quit the company. I continued on my journey and by that point found myself in a new relationship of my own.
2 cell phones later, and after I had broken up with the guy I was seeing, I got a text from an unknown number... "This is Andrew Cole"... My heart skipped about 3 beats and I replied with a very embarrased.... "Sorry I lost your number." We started texting and found out that we were both enrolled at OU, and about to start our Master's degree's. I got butterflies when I thought about running into him. I could barely focus, until I got the text from him that said he was "leaving for a job in Pittsburg"... I was saddened. "Oh, well there are other boys out there, Cheryl..." After all, I didn't even know if he liked me, he had not asked me out...
About 3 months passed, it was late November 2008 when I received another text message from this "Andrew Cole" guy... he told me that he was home, and that he wanted to take me on a date, but he was afraid of what I would say if he asked me. I replied with "Would it help if I told you I would say yes?" ... The phone rang two minutes later. We scheduled our first date for Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008....I remembered I felt so nervous when he showed up, but luckily my 'watch dog' Riley gave him the approval. Andrew was the only person who Riley had never growled at and protected me from. I smiled a little and kind of "knew, this was going to be different".
Over an Italian dinner, we shared stories and laughter about our passion's and desires in life. A date that I thought would be the "only date" turned into many more. I can honestly admit that I "fell in love" with Andrew that December night -- I know it wasn't first sight, but I knew the moment he dropped me off, that he was the man I wanted to marry.
It's really weird how God works... "Our" fairy tale is coming true: Love at "first (first date) sight", does happen. We are proof and get to marry one another, on June 11, 2011... We can't wait until the start of our new life, together! ;) |