It began with the end of a 4 year relationship with a man whom I loved, but couldn't see myself married to. Yes, it took me 4 years to truly understand this and to let go. As part of the effort to make a clean break, I decided to move away from my Midwest town to another state. Having returned from Europe earlier that summer, I'd felt a yearning to see more of the world anyway and I worked for a corporation that had offices throughout the United States, so I didn't think moving would be that difficult.
I interviewed in 3 states and accepted the one that offered me the most money. Yes, I was fairly young and thought that money was the most important thing. Because I was in management, the company paid all of my moving expenses, so that part was easy.
Moving half way across the country, leaving all my family and friends behind, was not so easy. It was especially hard because I knew absolutely no one in the city that I moved to. The first year was rough but thankfully I made a few good friends right away and adjusted fairly quickly. I missed my family though.
One Friday afternoon a dear friend of mine, who ended up being the best man at our wedding in Ireland, invited me to go watch him play soccer. He told me, "After the game, a bunch of us go out for dinner and drinks afterwards and you'd be welcome to join us. I think you'd have fun!" I agreed because I was always willing to meet new people.
Oronzo was part of my friends soccer team, but I didn't pay attention or notice him at that time. It wasn't until after the game, when I sat next to him at the table for dinner, that I noticed the handsome, dark-haired Italian man. During dinner, we chatted, and found out that we had a lot in common. A smaller group of those that met for dinner broke away after eating and went on to a club for drinks. My friend and I were part of that small group, and so was Oronzo. Again, Oronzo and I sat next to each other, but this time it's wasn't by accident.
It became obvious to my friend by that point that there was a spark of attraction between Oronzo and I. To clear the path for Oronzo, my friend loudly announced at our table in the club that he and I were just friends. I blushed fire-engine red with embarrassment and Oronzo beamed with delight.
Before the night was done, Oronzo had secured my phone number and he went to sleep off the affects of his drinks at my friends apartment, while I went home to my own apartment. The three of us agreed to meet for breakfast the next morning.
That next morning, Oronzo and my friend were already at the table when I arrived for breakfast. Oronzo stood up upon catching my glance and waved me over to the table. When I arrived within earshot, he opened his mouth and blurted out, "Wow, you're a lot shorter than I remember!"
Needless to say, I was not amused! I shot back, "Perhaps you'd like to return my phone number that I gave you last night!"
Oronzo quickly apologized with a sheepish smile and we carried on. Later that day, he called me and asked me out on our first date, which ended up being on Valentine's Day. He invited me to his home to cook me dinner. I was nervous about going to the home of a stranger, but my girlfriend, who was with me at the time that he called, talked me into accepting. She made me give her his address and name and I promised to call her when I got home so she'd know I made it home safely.
Oronzo cooked me a fantastic Italian dinner, using one of his grandmother's recipes. We had wine with our dinner and he even played lovely classical music in the background. He was a perfect gentleman that evening, only giving me a modest kiss when it was time to leave.
That was the beginning of our romance. Not only did I gain a boyfriend and eventually a husband after that first date, but I was quickly folded into Oronzo's family as well, which helped me cope with the distance from my own family.
At the time that we met, I was 29 and he was 30. I had never been married, he had been married once but had been divorced for 2 years by the time I met him. Neither of us had children. Both of us had graduated from college and were established in our careers. 5 years after our first date, Oronzo proposed on bended knee and I accepted. We were engaged for a year as we planned our overseas fairy tale wedding in Ireland.
Ornozo and I have had our ups and downs throughout the years of dating and 3 years of marriage, but thankfully we've had more ups than downs. We've both made a commitment to work through the rough patches that any marriage has and, so far, we've managed to keep our relationship strong. I love this man with all my heart and I can't imagine life without him, I don't want to even try. He's my friend, my lover, and the most excellent father I could ever ask for. I pray that God will bless us with long and happy years together as Man and Wife.
There you have it, the story of how I met my honey!
If you're interested in sharing your own story, be sure to link your post over at Barb's blog. And please, leave me a comment letting me know to stop at your blog and read your story!
Thanks!
31 Comments:
Great story OW!!! Its refreshing to read about a happy marriage for a change... i wish you and Oronzo all the luck in the world!!!! God bless,
What a romantic story! And the wedding in Ireland??? The stuff dreams really are made of.
What an absolutely beautiful story, OW. The fact that you dated for five years before you married tells me you both entered the marriage very seriously. I loved loved this. And I have to tell you, when a big Italian family decides you're the girl for their son, well, you're enveloped in more love than you can stand!
Beautiful story. I loved it.
What a great post.
Great story, and great idea. I added our story as well.
Great story. I love reading these. And I posted mine too.
Wow. A fairytale wedding AND happily-ever-after? I love stories like this, especially when they're true!
Beautiful love story and your wedding is the thing fairy tales are made from!
I loved reading your sweet story, and really loved seeing your cuddly photo. Bet he doesnt call you short very often!
What a wonderful story and it inspired me to share mine. Come on over and take a peek when you have time. PS- you two make a very handsome couple. Love the snugglty photo!!
wonderful story...I will be posting mine shortly
I love your story...also the fact that you have made a committment to work through the rough patchs...so many people avoid rough patchs and go find other patchs to live in instead. Love is a committment and a choice, not a feeling...may you continue to be blessed in your union.
awww what a sweet story!!! Way to stick with it!
This is so sweet and romantic and also funny. What a beautiful wedding you had in Ireland. My honey and I repeat our vows every five years. I think the next time should be in Ireland...It will be our 25th! God is so good!
I always love hearing stories on how people met.
It's great that you made such a powerful committment; too many people give up. God will always watch over your marriage and keep you both strong.
What an absolutely lovely story. I just love it when two people who are meant to be, actually manage to find each other.
It's SO hard to find true love.
I also admire the fact that, while loving each other to pieces, you still acknowledge there can be bumps in the road. Your commitment to overcoming them together is inspiring.
Well, that was so romantic. I loved your story. Ireland...WOW!...I'm jealous......
Thanks for your encouraging words on my post.....I will keep you posted.
SOme people just dont realize that words are for life.
Have a great day,
Jen
OW, I absolutely adore your "love story", and it is just so touching seeing the way Oronzo looks at you in the picture...the look of "love" is in his eyes. It only gets better...doesn't it!
Great story!!! Love the Ireland wedding post too.
Thanks for sharing your story. I love the way his family welcomed you right in. The man can cook too? That is always a plus in my book.
That is a wonderful story!! I always enjoy a good "when we met" story. Thank you for sharing. And I've seen the photos from your wedding, fairy tale indeed.
Awwwww!That was a sweet story. Thanks for sharing.
I love your story! How sweet.
that was so neat to read the story of how you met! And quick come back on your part in response to his comment the next morning at breakfast! This was a neat idea that Barb had and I plan to do one soon too.
I enjoyed reading your story. :) That commitment to work out through the rough patches is so essential.
Thanks for visiting my place, too. :)
I love reading he stories of how everyone met. You have a great story. Stop by and check mine out.
What a sweet story! I've been enjoying reading them all. I'll have to post one too, but maybe not til hubby's b-day.
Kelly
I’m looking for feedback.
Nice story, and I think that's the first picture I've seen of you, so it's nice to "see" you.
What a fantastic story! I love that you challenged him by asking for your number back. That's a classic.
Hang in there when times are down. It really is worth the effort!
Come and read about our story too.
You guys could both get the lead in "The King and I".
What a gorgeous post, love the photo too. I'm glad you got back safely too.
What a romantic story....went over to your 3rd anniversary post and I felt so in-love , i want to go straight to kiss my honey as well. I dont know if I can write a post about how I met my honey....but i'll try
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