My good friend, Christine Kelly (CK), whom I've known for about 10 years, decided to host a "singles party," where her single DJ friends (who she coordinated events with) could meet some "hot kickboxing friends."
I thought, "ohhh heck no! I'm not going to be some single dude hanging out, checking out girls, who know I'm single...how embarrassing!"
CK said I could DJ some of the party. BINGO! That was an easy "yes," as DJing would be my cool "in" or break that "single-looking barrier", so I wouldn't look like a man on a mission, hunting single ladies. Eeee-gaaaads!
This was also the day before my birthday, so I thought it would be a great kickoff to celebrate my lil ol B-day.
What CK had in mind was her own mission: to introduce me to this "hot lil Latin girl, who teaches salsa dancing." That was all I remember.
Well...DUH....of course I would let my good friend introduce me to this hyped-up girl, who has all these fans, is so sweet, and is a little fireball on stage.
As the party went on, I had no idea who this girl was or what she looked like, as I must have been blocked out by others or just not in the same place at the same time.
Finally, after a couple of cocktails, CK introduces me to this girl, Susy! HOLY SMOKES!!!!! She was smokin hot!!!!! I remember she wore a red top (I think tube top, but I may be speaking 80s). She said "hello" in a very sweet voice, with the warmest smile I've ever felt.
As most of you know, I am not too shy and can usually find things to say to most anyone at any given time. As one of my groomsmen, Mike Edwards, has said, "Matt will talk to balsa wood." Well, after Susy said her first hello to me, I could not put words together in a sentence. This girl has officially shut me up! (go ahead, insert jokes now!). I do remember saying, "umm...I will get your number from Christine and give you a call....maybe we can have coffee." Whaaaat? I couldn't even ask her for her phone number, I was so in shock that I was possibly going to spend one on one time with this GORGEOUS girl!!!
She was sooooo checking me out, though!!! Wow! She had no idea what she was in store for!!!! This hunk-a, hunk-a, burnin love was about to unleash his Rico Suave-ness on her for the rest of her life!
I called her the VERY next day, on my birthday, and remember leaving her a message, saying "I am not going to wait for the two-day rule with you..."
Well...she waited the four-day rule and finally called me back! COMMON NOW!
Two weeks later, we finally had our first date and it was only supposed to be coffee. We ended up grabbing coffee, having dinner and then getting coffee again. I also remember praying that that first night would never end:)
That was the lengthy story of the first time we met. I thank God for such a good friend in CK to think of matching Susy and me and, of course, for weaving Susy and me with the right time and the right place in life.
That was definitely one of the best birthday presents I could have ever dreamed of!
A lot of you have seen Susy perform, teach and dance...and see how amazing she is. What I learned in a very short time was how much more amazing she is on the inside. |