Online Dating

If you read my last post about the slacker at work, I think it was pretty clear that I was happy to have him finally out of my life. But ironically, it's actually because of that guy that I started dating the man who is now my husband.

It all started after another horrible day at work dealing with M's bullshit. I updated my Facebook status to "Quality is quality is quality...," which at the time was really only understood by the three of us at work who M said that to. So a little confused, my then future husband made a comment that was something like, "I guess you had a good day??"

I suppose I should back up here a little and give you some background on my husband and I. Jim and I have known each other for about 20 years. We grew up just over a mile apart from each other and went to the same elementary, junior high, and high schools. The first time we had a class together was in 7th grade, and with an alphabetical seating chart in place, we ended up sitting right next to each other. We were friendly, but we didn't hang out together outside of class.

We had a few classes together in 8th grade as well, and at the end of the school year, I wrote in his yearbook, "Have a great summer. Call me. [phone number]," but alas, he never called (to be fair, I have long ago thrown away my junior high yearbooks so we were unable to see what he wrote in mine. his defense is that maybe he gave me his number too and maybe I never called him either. I suppose that's possible). Then in our four years of high school neither of us can remember any classes together, so whatever relationship we had begun to form in junior high basically disappeared, and after graduation we went our separate ways.

Jump ahead to ten years later, in the summer of 2008 I got a phone call from a high school friend who said, "You'll never guess who I just reconnected with on Facebook," and I replied, "What's Facebook?" Apparently it had been around for quite awhile and I was just a super nerd who had no social life to be aware of this incredible networking site. So I joined, and it wasn't long before Jim noticed me and sent a friend request.

I was in a relationship at the time with an asshole which was quickly falling apart, and Jim was being really interactive with me on Facebook. My memories of him from 7th grade were that he was really shy, but he wasn't anymore. He was so funny and sweet and charming and hot and I totally started falling for him...my online crush.

So not long after my relationship with the asshole was officially over, I was pretty seriously set on getting together with Jim somehow. It was April of 2009 and he had made a status update that he was thinking about having a Memorial Day party. I decided that I was going to invite myself to that party. I figured that even if he had zero interest in me, he was way too nice to say "No" to my request to crash his party. But before I had to do that, things fell into place on their own when I made that "quality" status update, setting off a string of comments, and then instant messaging.

I couldn't believe he was messaging with me! Like, how did I get so lucky that this amazing guy who could be busy chatting with anyone else, had decided to dedicate his time to catching up on the previous decade with me. But I knew this was going to be my chance to ask him to that party. So I started flirting with him, at least as much as that's possible via instant message. I was trying my hardest to sound cute and funny and sweet and single. And it was going fine, but he hadn't really given me much of an opening to make my intentions known. So I just decided to be blunt about it. I figured that the worst case scenario would be that I'd make a fool of myself and he'd un-friend me. I typed, "So...are you ever going to ask me for my phone number, or what?"

Jim: "Oh...geez...I mean...I really wanted to...but...I just...well...I didn't want to seem too forward...like...I was just trying to be a gentleman......."

Me: "I have been flirting with you for the last 2 hours. What did you think my intentions were?"

Jim: "Oh...well...okay then. Yeah...um...I'd love to have your phone number....."

Me: "Here it is. And you better not wait the 'obligatory' 3-day rule to use it!"

Jim: "Trust me. I won't!"

He called me as soon as we logged off Facebook, just to say goodnight and hear my voice.

I guess it's still probable that if I hadn't made that status update about M which initiated my relationship with Jim, I still would have gone to his Memorial Day party, and I guess our story would have taken the same path. But a little part of me still feels like I owe a big thank you to M for being such a Douchington and helping me begin a fabulous life with my husband.