Prelude to First Date:
Cassie hates this version of the story; but I think it is endearing. Shortly after I joined the Facebook group for our college’s incoming class, she sent me a friend request. At that point in time, seeing that a pretty girl had added me on Facebook from the college I was going to attend was quite exciting. I knew nothing about her, but I figured she if she was kind enough to add me (an incoming freshman) I could at least do her the courtesy of accepting her request. After all, she had a kitten posing with her in her profile picture.
Our first communications were not long after this. Browsing my Facebook feed one lonesome afternoon, I was surprised by the sudden bleeping noise of receiving a message. I was quite pleasantly astonished to see that she had followed up her friend request with a not-so-subtle invitation to conversation. I would later find that this upfront and fearless quality represents all the best qualities Cassie has. But in that moment, I was a bit flabbergasted. I still had a few months left of high school, I had tests I needed to study for, papers I needed to write, presentations I needed to give, and projects I needed to finish before college began. Was it allowed by the rules of the cosmos for me to talk to people in college while I found myself still in the confines of the public school system and my parents’ house? And for that matter, why would anyone in college have any interest in getting to know me: a student so dedicated to school work and so devoid of social appearances?
All of this went through my head before I even had time to read her message to me. If I remember correctly, it was something like the following: “Hey sorry for creepily adding you randomly.” I knew she had nothing to be sorry for; she knew there was nothing random about it (as I would later find out). As for any inkling of creepiness, I don’t think either of us minded. Even though our first conversation didn’t last long and even though it was mostly about school, it set the groundwork for things to come.
The next interaction we had was at the visit day I attended in February. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces, but there was one I recognized right away. Sitting at a volunteer desk across the 4th floor of University Square building, she recognized me and gave me a friendly wave as my tour group moved by. It was not long after this that she gave me her number; not long after that we had our first date scheduled.
First Date: March 9th, 2013
I struggle to find the words to adequately describe our first date without it sounding utterly nonsensical. At the time—like now—I had no idea what to say, I just asked questions about the university to keep the conversation rolling. We had originally planned to go to eat at a frozen yogurt restaurant then go bowling. But given my lack of foresight and planning, the bowling alley was completely booked on that Saturday night.
Fortunately, Cassie would prove to be one of the best organizers I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. After facing defeat at the bowling alley, we moved effortlessly into an alternative plan: catching a movie on the other side of town.
Aftermath:
March 9th would prove to be the first of many dates. Many milestones passed between then and the day I sat down to write this and I remember them all. Yet, if F. Scott Fitzgerald is to be believed, the past is seen through rose-tinted glasses. With that in mind, I must also recollect the notions that have been long since absent. I remember thinking at the start of our relationship that it would go the way of most relationships: we would enjoy a few months or more of dating, but the turbulent passage of the years—college years no less—would ultimately mold us into individuals divided by life goals and interests.
Let no mistake be made, we have both explored various ambitions and curiosities. However, to even my own surprise, these experiences resulted in us building off of each other and often following each other’s footsteps. Cassie’s competitive nature drove her to attack academics with new fervor. My lack of social prowess was rectified in the training montage that our relationship would become as events and friendships became a welcome addition. Out of it all, we found balances for every aspect of our lives.