Story
Dave:
I had traveled the world, wandered from the heights of the Himalayas to the desert of the Andes, up to the rains of the Northwest, before making my place in the Rockies. I found a beautiful place in Boulder and did things in all the wrong order. I got a house, burned it down, and moved to the mountains to become a hermit. But there was something missing, I didn't have a partner to share in the splendor.
So I did what all the kids do these days, I went on the internets to find true love. I found a girl, an east coast girl who made her way west, a Spanish-speaking girl with humor and sarcasm in her writing, a girl who hung out with marine iguanas and sea lions in the Galápagos, a girl who looked pretty cute too- so I hemmed and hawed and wrote out my cheesiest line: I see you've been to Ecuador. I too have been to Ecuador. Would you like to get together and talk about Ecuador? Then I waited. And I waited. I had never been on an internet date before, how did this work? Do I send another message? "Hey, did you try guinea pig in Quito?" No - that would be pathetic. So I waited some more. Then one day my phone went "ding" and it was her, a message from her and she rated me 4 or 5 stars! (4 <or> 5 stars!!??)
We chatted on the line for a bit and then she gave me her actual name and number! We set a date, casual dinner and drinks at Aji. I asked my sister if I should tuck my shirt in or leave it out, she advised leave it out - smart woman Jennie. I showed up early so I could scope out the scene and get a good spot outside to watch her arrive. This lovely lady all dolled up from work came waltzing down the sidewalk in a blouse, skirt, and heels - not a cycling outfit like the rest of Boulder. I wondered "Is that her?" Well she walked on by so I resigned myself back to my drink, perhaps she's a no show. I heard that was a thing with internet dates, and this being my first I was resigned to being just another number. But no - she came out to the table and asked if I was Dave - yes I was.
Our casual drinks went late in the evening, we supped, we chatted, but never about our South American adventures. She told me about New York City and France, I told her about Turkey and Tanzania. As the evening drew to a close and we said our goodbyes I dared sneak a kiss, bad form I know, but there were such sparks! That night I had to play the patient game again, do I text then, tomorrow, the next day?
Whatever I did it was the right amount as she agreed to go to dinner a few days later. I picked her up as you do, and she was waiting, a devil in a blue dress (to quote the song). Over dinner, the man next to us was chewing with his mouth open and I learned about one of her idiosyncratic hates - loud mouth chewers. So I cautiously chewed slowly, lips pressed tight, and dabbed with a napkin any time I went to speak. Another night went long over the low lit table, we talk-ed, we danc-ed, we drank champagne (but still no talk of Ecuador, I was saving that one). A third date, fourth, and more, travels and adventures together all over, until the evening of November 5th 2016 when I set up a telescope for her to look at the moon, and while she was distracted I got down on one knee and asked her the question that led to this wedding day - Will you marry me?
Colleen:
I had created a list of qualities my future partner would have. Some called me too picky but I didn't care. I stuck to it... Then, along came Dave. To my surprise, he checked off EVERY single box from my extremely long list. Here are some examples (in no particular order): kind heart, smart, worldly and loves to travel, open-minded, passionate about his work, handsome, fun-loving, adventurous, makes me laugh, well-mannered, tall, loves the outdoors, and the list went on. There are even some qualities I hadn't realized I wanted until I saw them in him, e.g... is a master at credit card point schemes, has great hair, knows how to get down at weddings (just you wait!) ... but I don't need to blow Dave's head up here! ;) ... We met. It was him. His soul was familiar. He had a head full of facts, made me laugh, was kind, thoughtful, clever, charming, handsome, cultured, and did I mention, funny?
About a year into our relationship, I stumbled upon that list I created before I met him. I had forgotten about it. I eventually gave it to him and he has kept it in a special box. Dave has certainly reinforced my love for lists!
Okay, okay!... We'll save some of this for the wedding day. Thank you for being an important part of our lives. We're excited to celebrate with you! PS- Dave has placed a couple movie quotes in his story. Extra points if you figure them out.