Semi-blind date. We were setup by a friend of mine that worked with her.

At the time, I was not in a good place and really was not interested in dating. My plan was to meet her, go to dinner, go to a movie then disappear. Why didn’t I just say “No” to the date? My friend is a former Navy SEAL and is not one to give up… Ever. It was just easier for me to say “yes” to the date, go, then go back to my life.

Life had other plans. We met at Newport on the Levee, which is an entertainment/ Shopping complex located right on the Ohio river in Newport, KY. This was in 2004 and the complex was brand new and very popular. So when we exited the restaurant we discovered the line for the movie theater was literally out the door and that was on top of a back and forth line near the box office. So we decided to go to the Barnes and Nobles and get hot chocolate. Neither of us like coffee. We sat down and talked… For THREE hours. It was the best conversation I’ve ever had with another human being.

We’ve been together ever since and that was in 2004. We have two boys and live 400 miles away from the Cincinnati area now.