What Brought Us Here

Kevin's Version of the Facts

Freshman year of college, I met Gloria in the dorms. We shared a hall on the 4th floor, her room was just a few doors down from mine. While we didn't actually speak the first few weeks of school, we quickly met, and started having casual, awkward conversations in the halls, passing each other on campus, and while I was playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 for my Dreamcast. The week of Halloween that all changed.

While I was helping decorate our hall for the the aptly named "Halloween Hall Decorating Contest", Gloria was working furiously on a paper about PCB's (you know, Polychlorinated Biphenyls). She noticed me outside her friend's door and asked if I'd sit down and talk with her about her research. She ran a few things by me, more than a few actually and I was immediately taken with her intelligence and sense of humor.

The next few weeks went by and we grew closer and closer, so close that I had told her I'd like to date her. I was met, unfortunately, with a "no". Drats.

Undaunted, I stuck with her as a friend, and we grew closer and closer over the next few years. Finally during senior year of college I got the "yes", I was looking for.

And on June 14, 2006, I got the big "yes", which I had wanted since December of freshmen year. Having planned a romantic proposal in a park near her house, we quickly learned that mosquitos enjoy swarming anything that contains blood. After being chased out of the park by black clouds that sucked blood, we went to get bubble tea in East Lansing. Feeling anxious and excited I broke down and asked her in the parking lot behind our favorite place to get bubble tea.


Gloria's Version of the Facts

The first day of college Kevin came into our floor meeting. Despite the dark clothing and facial hair, one could tell he was shy and genuine. I of course, am not shy and was determined to become his friend. A couple weeks later I walked right into his dorm room...
"You playing Tony Hawk?"
"Yeah"
"I have Tony Hawk at home and I am pretty good. I couldn't bring my playstation to college though. "
Silence.
"Well, my name is Gloria and I live down the hall. If you ever want someone to play with you can just ask me."
"Cool"

And that was that. Awkward and short. He never asked and I thought I may have embarrassed him.

Halloween night, I had a chance to engage him again.
Somehow I managed to interest him with my paper on the global impact of PCB's. Not only was he staying with me on all this, but he was able to joke about it as well. Funny, enjoyable, and a great listener.

Kevin is so genuine and real. I felt instantly comfortable and safe around him. I think most people feel this way when they get to know him. That is why everyone... Teresa, Jenny, Liz, Claire, Bethany, Jessica, Brenna, Joji, etc... said throughout all four years of college "Kevin is so great! Would you two just date already!? He is perfect for you".
As friend he was perfect. He gave me rides to school sometimes, he showed up to everything (thesis defence, award ceremonies, choir concerts, rugby matches), he destressed me the nights before exams, he supported me always, and when the day had finished we would go out and get burritos or middle eastern. It was a great life!

The end of our senior year was approaching quickly. Neither of us knew exactly where we were going, but it wasn't in the same direction. He expressed his feelings for me another time. I knew how much I loved him as a friend. It was time to see how that love would work in a relationship.

Needless to say, it worked splendidly. I think my story is maybe too long, but I just want to reiterate... sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose. Kevin's sense of humor, his patiance, his understanding nature, his ability to try new things, and his awesome cooking skills will undoutedly make him the best husband ever! I really made out good on this deal.