The Story of Girl Meets Boy
I hope your in the mood for some sap and some goo this morning because for today’s What About Me Wednesday, I’m going to share the story of girl meets boy. It’s a lengthy tale, but a fun one so I can’t wait to tell all of you. Those who know us, know this story already, but I don’t think they will mind hearing it one more time.
rafting down the Yellowstone River, August 2010
Perhaps this should actually be called the story of how girl and boy started dating, fell in love and eventually got married since Shaun and I were friends (more like we had mutual friends, but it’s my version of the story, so I’ll say we were friends) for about 2 years before we went on our first date. Let me back up.
Shaun and I grew up in the same, humongous town in New Jersey. Our hometown is so big, that among 12 elementary schools and 2 middle schools, our paths didn’t converge until our sophomore year in high school. We had a few classes together (like history, english and health, but who’s keeping track?) and I quickly deemed him the cutest boy in school. It didn’t hurt that he was already about 6’2”. I like ‘em tall, dark and handsome. Oh and then I heard him cracking jokes to his friends. And I quickly deemed him the funniest boy in school. I was completely smitten people.
in my sophomore dorm at NYU, circa 2002
Like cheesy high school romantic comedy smitten. You know, looking for him in the hallways between classes, jumping at the chance to be his squaredancing partner in gym class, but all the while pretending it was like it just-so-happened to work out that way, attending the boys’ soccer games in which he played (though this last bit seems less stalkerish since I was on the girls team and that’s just what you did). You get the point.
out in New Brunswick for one of Shaun's birthdays
Anyhow, as our two separate groups of friends merged, we saw more of each other and I suppose entered into actual friend territory. We chatted on AOL (yep, the original) and on the phone a couple of times. And then he asked me out on a date in the spring of our senior year of high school. Not like a group hang out. But a real date. I put on a super ‘90s green sweater and my mom helped me put on eye shadow (she knew this one was special!). It was pouring rain and my sister Kimberly squealed when she saw his car pull up. I put my stone age cell phone on silent for the evening and somehow managed to remain completely calm. He took me out to our local coffeehouse where I pretended to enjoy a cappuccino (even though I thought it tasted like tar), listened to live music and never ran out of things to talk about. We watched a movie back at my parents house and he kissed me. I thought it was the absolute best night of all time and most certainly had to have been a dream.
After that, we went back to being friends. Or as I like to say, all that high school stuff got in the way. We still hung out together at parties, but we weren’t dating. We went with other people to the senior prom, but ended up spending the whole party together. Here’s a major throwback shot for ya...
Our senior prom, circa 2000
And of course the post-prom weekend took place in Wildwood, NJ where we spent the whole next day walking the boardwalk and having breakfast together. The rest of the summer played out as such. We hung out with the group and on our own. Hesitant to believe his intentions after our date that went nowhere, I just went along for the ride, enjoying every moment but not really expecting our fun summer to go anywhere. Shaun, however, had other plans in mind since I noticed he was always finding ways to hang out with me, even to simply drive me home from a party.
Celebrating one of my early 20's birthdays down in Atlantic City
We spent a lot of time down the Jersey shore, eating ice cream and playing boardwalk games (that’s just what you do in the summer ‘round these parts), riding around in his giant red Astro van listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dave Matthews Band. A mere 3 weeks before we were set to leave for our respective colleges (me at NYU, he at Rensselaer Polytechnics Institute outside Albany, NY), we decided that we were officially a couple and would give it a go despite being 3 hours away from each other.
at my surprise bridal shower, June 2008
...and the rest, as they say, is history. We spent 4 years alternating travel between Albany and Manhattan (never once even ‘taking a break’). After school, we both moved back to New Jersey to get our careers going (and I went to grad school full time for a year) and save money. A few years after that, we had a romantic and breezy beach wedding in Aruba
at our 2008 Aruba wedding, joined by 80 of our closest friends and family
...and here we are, 11 years later. It’s funny how things work out, isn’t it?
18 Comments | March 9, 2011 | Share Article | Email Article | in Shaun & Rachel Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (18)
I actually did not know this story despite knowing you for about 20 years now. :) Really cute though, had to tell my roommate about it. It's funny though I cant even remember a family function without Shaun!
Aw, I love your story - didn't realize that you were basically high school sweethearts:-) Your pictures are so cute!!
Awwwwww!!! I love it! :) Yep... I totally remember back in the day when Rachel had the biggest crush on Shaun! I'm so happy that your paths crossed and I got to be a witness! HAHA Love you both! (Great pictures too!!)
awwww super cute story! my husband and i did long distance for 3 years, too! (me in NJ and he in FL when he was stationed there--he's in the military)
That's such a cute story. I would love to hear his version of it! It's always fun to see what the guys felt at the time. You both look super into each other from the first pic! Love it! You two make a beautiful couple!
I simply ADORE this story! Thank you for sharing!
Awww you guys are so cute! Whenever high school sweethearts get married I feel more hope for the future of humanity for some reason lol.
this is how romance is meant to be, this is such a sweet story,i wish all relationships are like yours though! :)
Awww. Love your story! Thanks for sharing ...great pics---you both look so happy in all of them!
Can I tell you? I read this at the courthouse while waiting with opposing counsel for the judge. Opposing counsel must have thought I was crazy b/c I was an inch away from my phone reading this and smiling like a moron! Your story - aside from the reputation it has given me - is adorable! I didn't know you two were high school sweethearts. I love it! :)
P.S. You do not look like you have aged a day. Which makes me want to hate you except that I can't! :)
aahh how cute. obvi i knew all about it and i remember seeing you guys leave to go to a coffee house on the first date and i remember later that summer you coming home and i was having a sleepover and you told me and 3 of my friends how your date on the boardwalk was and we were all sooo jealous!
such a cute post!!!!! i love hearing about how people met....and all of those pics of you guys are adorable :)
Aww what a sweet story!
Love your blog, by the way! =D
Thanks everyone! Gen, so happy you found us!
That's just so sweet. It definitely made me go "aaaww" even though I firmly believe I don't want to get married. It's awesome that you had a happy ending with your school crush! :D
Awwwe, sooo stinkin' sweet! I LOVE love... thank you for sharing your story!! <3
Aww - I just read this totally adorable story - how sweet! And how lovely to have all those couple photos of you so guys looking so beautiful and happy!! Love it! :)