January 28, 2000. Picture it. I was a Junior in high school. Bill Clinton was visiting Quincy to speak and my high school was letting students out of school that Friday afternoon to attend. I went to Quincy with my friends and instead spent our free afternoon at The Buckle trying to find the perfect outfit for my date later that night. (So sorry, Mom. Please forgive me).
I bought button fly Lucky jeans to wear with my Doc Martens and finished my outfit with a button-down plaid shirt. High fashion for the early 2000s.
Earlier in the fall, I had run into a tall, dark-haired boy at my high school’s football game. I immediately knew who he was but thought it was weird he was there since he had graduated from a different high school. I knew him because we were both in 4-H and I thought he was handsome when I’d see him at the county fair. He was usually with a girl and being two years older than me, I thought he was out of my league. In a small town, it’s not hard to keep track of kids near your age in neighboring small towns, especially if they are super involved like I was. I would see him playing basketball at local games, at town festivals, and in parades where he expertly played the snare drum in his high school marching band. I promise I wasn’t a stalker.
So in September 1999, I noticed Shawn at the football game. I was walking with my friends to my seat and walked past him. I noticed that his jacket was emblazoned with the logo of the college my brother attended. In a split second, I turned around intent on talking to him. It’s quite possible that I’d had a little liquid courage (SO, SO sorry, Mom. Please don’t kill me) and went up to ask him if he knew my brother. You might be surprised at my shameless flirting. In hindsight, I am too. He was flanked by his buddy and a girl, who I was pretty sure was his girlfriend. I paid no mind and kept up the conversation, oblivious to everyone around us. But when you know, you know.
Jr Prom 
Sr Prom 
Family Reunion 
Nah, I am just kidding. I didn’t know then. Being something of an extrovert I can talk to anyone. However, I don’t normally walk up to complete strangers and strike up a conversation. For reasons unknown to me and despite my complete and utter insolence, God was looking out for me.
Fast forward to a couple of months later, the girlfriend was no more and we’d started chatting on the newly popular, ICQ messaging software (uh-oh!). He expertly asked me out on a date, ONLINE. In 2000! I felt like I was floating on air. I said yes and quickly devised a plan to cut school to make sure I was looking fly.
Shawn was going to school in Jacksonville and I agreed to meet him at the movie theater. I was convinced that I would make the forty-minute trek and he wouldn’t show. I coerced my good friends to go with me. That is how my two good friends, Jill and Katie, ended up on my first date. Don’t worry, the movie wasn’t romantic and it wasn’t awkward. We saw the critically acclaimed, “Duece Bigelow, Male Gigolo”.
Despite the ridiculous movie, it went well enough for me to decide to ride back to town with him. In hindsight, I see how my excitement may have over-exaggerated how well it went since I was in a dark theater and we mostly had to whisper to communicate. But you know by now that I am a risk-taker so I rode home with a guy I barely knew since he was on his way home for the weekend and going my way. (This is why Shawn says I am too trusting). My friend drove my car back to town and never thought twice about me getting in the car with a guy I barely knew. High school girls laugh in the face of danger.
The rest is history. Here we are 20 years later, taking a little trip down memory lane.
Is there a moral(s) to this story? YES.
- Put your kids in 4-H, they may meet their soul mate.
- Teach them how to talk to people, it will take them far.
- And Mom (and to all Momma’s out there): Try to take it in stride if your kid cuts school or drank underage (especially if it was many, many, moons ago). š They will likely turn out to be great humans despite all the bonehead mistakes they made while trying to grow up.
- Also to my Mom: I am still alive (aren’t you glad?) and my rebellion may well have been part of God’s elaborate plan to lay a road for the most wonderful mate and beautiful kids. Those same grandkids who had nothing to do with their Mom’s high school shenanigans and love you dearly.
- Also to my Mom: Please invite me to Easter.
Love,
Stef
You two are still just as cute and in love as when we were roomies! Miss you both and Iām so glad to hear life has been treating you well!
We certainly had shared a lot over the years. Not all of it good, with college being some of the toughest. But I believe those bumps and working through it made us even stronger. I am not happy they happened, but think it was necessary in order for us to get counseling and learn how to make it work.
You know you have a standing invitation to Easter and everything else, also
to just dropping in!
Good! All the radio silence had me in suspense. Love you.