Jeff and I met in one of those truly "meant to be" moments. It was the NCAA National Championship football game with Texas vs. Alabama. I went to one bar with some friends to watch the game, and Jeff went to another. After Texas was stomped on, my friends and I decided to leave. One friend had a genius idea to stop at another bar for one last drink. We all know how that goes. Adrienne and I walked into Coaches and then found out that our other friend, who wanted to go in the first place, decided to not come! So we said that we were going to leave. While this going on, Jeff is at the testosterone machine, otherwise known as the punching bag, relieving his frustrations about the game. I guess he had seen us walk in and then saw that we were basically turning right back around and walking out. He put his giant self in front of us and stopped us from leaving. We exchanged hellos and names and discovered that Adrienne knew someone that was with Jeff. Jeff and I continued to talk and I shared my sob story with him in hopes that he would realize that I was too much trouble to deal with. As I am telling him my story, he cuts in and says, "Hey. Did you know that I have a goldfish?" I was completely confused by this and could only say, "Huh?" to which he replied, "Yeah, I have a goldfish named Charlie." He was so matter of fact about it. I then asked, "What in the world are you talking about? (or something like that:) to which he replied, "Oh, I thought we were talking about stuff* that didn't matter." With that he got my attention, hook, line, and sinker. We talked for the rest of the night and I was even brave enough to give him my number. I will never forget the first time he wanted to take me on a "non-date". I called my Aunt Marsha for advice and consulted my brother, Nick, for what to wear. I had the most fun on a "non-date" that I had ever had. Jeff then went over seas. He got sick while there and they sent him back. He was here for 3 weeks and we spent A LOT of time together. I just wasn't ready to settle down. He left again and soon after he was gone, we drifted apart. A couple of months later, fate stepped back in and said, "Oh no, you two are not finished yet." Jeff was again back home, and I was working at the Astro's games. He was invited to a game and had no idea that I was there working. Of course he got thirsty while he was there, and when they went to get a beer, who was there to serve them, me! I so wish everyone could have seen the look on his face. I am pretty sure I was the last person on Earth that he wanted to say. After that moment, we talked a lot and got to know each other even better. On August 3, 2010 he took me on a quick trip to Galveston and truly showed me how a man treats a woman. I knew then that I loved him and my life would never be the same.
In July of 2012, Jeff took me on a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Every time that we ever talked about getting married, we both agreed that we were happy the way things were, but we both knew that we would be together forever. On July 4th, Jeff shocked me by getting down on one knee and proposing to me. Little did I know, but basically everyone I knew, already knew that this was coming! He had bought me a ring back in February, and then decided to make it official that summer.
We were eating dinner and it began to rain. We had planned to go out that night and we were already dressed up so I jumped and stood underneath an awning. As we are standing there, some friends of ours start talking to me about fantasy football. While I have played in the past, it had been awhile and again I was confused by the conversation. Jeff finally chimes in, which as long as I have known him he has never played, and says that he has been doing some research for his fantasy football team for a couple of years now. He continues by saying that he really thinks that he has finally found the player that is going to make his team a winner. Again, I am confused by the conversation and turn the other way. As I do this I start hearing all of these people around us making oo's and ah's towards us. I turn back towards Jeff and he is down on his knee. He says you are the player that I need on my team for the rest of my life. Will you marry me? I was stunned and ecstatic all at the same time. Of course I said yes, and at that time, a waiter brought over a tray with a lid. Underneath the lid, there was an Andre Johnson, A. Johnson, jersey! This is what my name will be as of August 3rd! It was an amazing moment in our lifetime together! |
