At Melanie's 16th birthday party

Kevin and I both went to Holy Angels elementary and middle school, where I was a grade ahead of Kevin.  We knew each others' names, but that was about it. It wasn't until high school that we got to know each other, and we became fast friends. Throughout our friendship, we flirted constantly, until one night Kevin got bold and kissed me. After a few weeks of dating (and by dating I mean hanging out in the hallways before class and watching movies in our friend's basement),  we decided we were better off as friends. I headed off to Minnesota for college, and Kevin finished his senior year. We lost touch after I moved away.

Seven years later, I was living in Milwaukee and working at a job I hated. One night, after drinking nearly a bottle of wine alone in my apartment, I sent an instant message to my old buddy IWasLikeYes asking "is this still Kevin?" We talked a bit, and had an awkward reunion at the Holy Angels Festival, but didn't keep in touch yet again.

Six months later, I found myself back in West Bend after finally working up the courage to quit my job. But with no backup plan, I had to move in with my parents. Upon arrival, I promised dad "six months, tops!" while I planned a move to Nashville. One night I was trying to think of the name of my old high school math teacher, and I knew Kevin would remember his name (he had given Kevin a detention for calling him Grasshopper). So again, I sent him an instant message.

This was a few days before Kevin's 25th birthday, and while we were chatting, he invited me to his party that weekend. I was not planning to go, but after a fight with mom, I needed to get out of the house. We had a great time catching up that night and we have been inseparable ever since.

A few weeks later I told some of my high school friends and my mom I was dating Kevin. No one was surprised. My mom even said "you are going to marry him."

This may be the only time I'm happy to say my mom was right.