15 years ago today, I went on my first date with my Tiffany. You know, I feel like such a cheeseball using my blog to write something about my wife when the last blog I wrote last week was about my son. But there are two important things to take from that sentence: I’m a cheeseball, and it’s my blog!
On September 22, 1994, I was 19 and she was 18. Lucky for me, I waited a year to mail off my application to Kansas State University. I should have transferred out of my two-year college in two years. But on day one of my third year, I met the woman who I would marry.
Guys, you know how it is when you’re single in college. First day of class and you’re checking out the new ladies. Well, there she was and wow was she hot! Call me a pig, but wow was she hot! We were on the newspaper together. I was the sports editor and she was a newbie. I tricked her into taking a women’s volleyball story that she’d need help on. Sure enough, she freaked, and I was there for the rescue.
We spent a lot of time working on that story for a couple of weeks, and I’m pretty sure that nobody but the players on the team read it. But it did the trick and we became friends. During that first month while we were becoming friends, I used to drive her home from school. I always had a Motown CD in my car and I played this song every time:
Of course, she didn’t realize that until later. But I still wanted to put that video in the blog for her today!
Anyways, on September 21, after going to In-N-Out for a burger with some friends and then celebrating a mutual friend’s birthday, I drove her home and asked her out on a date (after 15 or so minutes of nervous stalling). The next night, we went on our first date. Dinner at a steak place called Buffalo Ranch (I spilled my entire salad on my lap and brushed it on the ground — oops!) and a walk on the beach. We clicked and we’ve been together ever since.
I didn’t know which picture to pick. I hope this one is OK.
We’ve had our ups and downs, betters and worses (I don’t think that’s a word, but you know what I’m saying). We were kids back then, and now we have three of our own. I know, it’s nothing unusual to be married, but I’ll always vividly remember picking her up for that first date in my freshly-detailed car with a dozen roses. If you would have told me that day that we’d end up sharing a life and a home and so many memories that I’m starting to forget a lot of them, I don’t know if I would have believed it.
She’s been an incredible wife and mother and as I always tell her, I feel truly blessed that I get to hold her hand on this roller coaster called “life” that we’re riding. The person you choose to be your parter has such a huge impact on how your life turns out, and as I look over at her while she watches TV and has no idea what I’m writing, I think “yeah, that was a good decision.”
Back in 1994 and 1995, one of my best friends always used to say, “There’s an @$$ for every seat” when talking about the two of us, and he’s right. We’re two peas in a pod, totally made for each other. We celebrate May 23 because that’s the day we made the lifetime commitment to each other back in 1999. But we celebrate September 22, because since that day in 1994, we’ve been best friends.
Jamie Fellrath says
Anyone who says that there isn’t a perfect person out there for everyone else need only read this blog post (or talk to me, I’m a convert to this way of thinking, too). What a great story, thanks for sharing it!
Jen Morgan says
That is sooooooooo sweet! Lucky her and lucky you! Congrats!!!
Tiffany Felsenfeld says
Awhh, that was so sweet. Not only are you my best friend and husband, but you’re also my trainer/pacer! I love you, babe!
Erin Ruff says
Nice post, Sam. I have wondered how a girl like that ended up with you. Subliminal messages did the trick, huh?! Nice work. Happy Anniversary to the both of you.
Ben Delaney says
Sorry to break up the mush parade, but Sam you left out all the good details. What kind of car you had cleaned for that first date, Metallic Green 1992 Acura GSX. The fact that up until that first date, you wore a baseball cap everyday. And what about those t-shirts you used to wear? Not going to mention what they were here, but you know what I am talking about.
Just playing. Congrats you two. Guess the beginning of fall gives the two of you the excuse to fall in love again.
Melissa G says
Aww, that was so sweet! <3
john walls says
Hi Sam, My name is Debbie and you met my husband actually just this morning. He had just returned from his morning run and I believe you had just finished yours. He came in the house and said to me he had just met the nicest man! (that was you : ) – and in reading your blog about your wife – without even having met you yet, I believe he may be right about you! That really was a wonderful blog and in reading it I can tell you two are a “team” in your fight against autism and there is alot of respect and love between the two of you. John told me he told you about our daughter Cassie and what she does and every day she tells me wonderful stories about her “kids” and how they have touched her life. She works for the Saddleback school district and also for the OC non profit as a lead and respite worker. These children that she has had the honor to be in their lifes have taught her so many things – alot of times she comes home in tears because she just does not understand how this can happen but she also tells me what wonderful, amazing children these kids are just as I am sure you feel about Jack. My husband and I will surely see you at some of these events!
Jennifer Tran says
That is a sweet and uplifting story. Awesome! I completely agree with Jamie.