Something's Fishy

The night Mike and I had our first real conversation was December 6, 2003. (I talk about that night, and a few others here.) It was Crystal's birthday. We were in the same bar celebrating. He told me I looked nice and then bought me a drink. I It was that easy.

Later that same night I found myself in his house. (Crystal was also there as was Molly, so no need to gasp in shock at this particular choice of mine. At other choices, though, sure.)

Crystal and even Molly were soon asleep, as it was close to 3am. But Mike and I found ourselves watching Sportscenter in his family room, pretending we were Sportscenter's biggest and truest fans; fans who never missed an episode which was why we were staring so fixedly at the screen and not because the whole situation was just painfully awkward. Other than a few of my drinks on his tab and the odd way he asked if I needed someone to walk me to the bathroom earlier that night I couldn't be sure he liked me. And so I was sitting next to him, on his couch, pretending to care about the stats of the Michigan game, all the while going over in my head every fuzzy word we'd exchanged that night and debating whether or not I should just, you know, grab his hand already or—better yet—die on the spot. Finally, as the Sportscenter theme song cued up for the third time that night, Mike asked if I wanted to look at his fish tank.

This had to be a euphemism, right? I think I stared at him, blinking, for a full minute before he stood up and I followed him into his front room. And, yep, there was a fish tank. I may have breathed a very deep sigh of confused relief.

We sat on the floor in front of his tank looking at his two fish swimming around, and I thought to myself, He's gotta make a move. Why else would we be looking at stupid fish?

Thirty minutes later (and with my legs—and my brain—fast asleep) we headed back for the couch. I imagined he had chickened out. How cute? I thought, He was too nervous to kiss me. (Fine, perhaps I thought, WHAT IS THIS GUY THINKING I'M SO CONFUSED OH MY GOODNESS!)

Later that night we did kiss and he'll tell you I made the first move and I'll tell you he's probably right but regardless it brought us to where we are now—married, in a house where the TV is never tuned to Sportscenter and with, yes, a fish tank in our family room.

At some point most nights I walk into our front room to see Mike watching his fish. I always smile, as it reminds me of that first night. How off-the-mark I was about his intentions. He may have liked me, he may have even wanted to kiss me, but he absolutely did not ask me to look at his tank as any kind of strategy.

He really just wanted to show me his fish tank. And if possible, realizing that makes me even more attracted to that guy of three-plus years ago. That genuine, nerdy, patient, original, move-less man.

By the way, Mike built the fish tank stand himself.

::

In my blog's redesign, I'm hoping to add a FAQ page. Any questions you'd particularly like to ask? Personal, surface, interesting, odd? I'm up for anything as so far I've come up with:

Q: Do you like purple?
A: Why, yes. Yes, I do.

Comments

[Kristie]

Awww, fishies!

I'll have to think of questions...I'm fortunate enough to ask all the questions I have in person, if I want to. Options! :)

[Sabrina]

That is the cutest story I have ever heard I want to smush you both. And he did good work on the fish tank stand.

[Kelly]

That is such a cute story! It's also cute when you retell it, unlike my story... I've mentioned it a few times, but it's the sort of one that raises eyebrows in a "you're weird" way!
Let's just say it involves gay clubs and a crossdresser impersonating Mariah Carey.
(And yes, we're straight)
See? Your eyebrows are up already!
I found you through Alyndabear... fantastic blog you have here!!

[alyndabear]

I'm completely smitten by this story. Love it!

[Raven]

Wills has no moves either...I think he stepped on my toes the first time he kissed me but he doesn't know that.

[Jess]

This is so cute. You have to have that fish tank forever, now.

[Katie]

Aww, I love hearing stories about how people met their S.O's. Such a cute story you have! :) And why is it that every young married person I know (myself included) met their hubby in a bar?!

[Roz]

Such a great story!

[anne]

that is an adorable story - i love little vingettes like that about the early times.

[Kristabella]

Awwww.....what a great story!

[slynnro]

God, this is so Aaron and I. Our first kiss occurred while watching SportsCenter as well. On his couch. After many drinks. And Aaron loves fish.

[Michelle]

Dave and I have a similar fish story. And a fish tank in our living room to prove it. There's just something about a guy and his fish, isn't there?

[Emily Pied]

sentimental fish tanks and sportscenter... could be a hallmark card! ;)

[janet]

so cute!

(we kinda argue about who kissed who first too. it may have been me)

[CrankMama]

I love this story! Must confess I was tad worried about the sportscenter part - glad to know you two aren't it's biggest fans. And that is a kickass fishtank.

[Amanda Brown]

Our first kiss turned into a HUGE make-out session. We joke about my amorous nature. Where has it gone? :)
Anyways, that's a cute story about the night you guys met.
Here's my question: What's your middle name? Do you like it or hate it?

[Nicole]

Awe fisheeee! Mike and I had piranha for about a year. You can't tell boys from girls so I named them She-Ra(after the 80s warrior princess) and the other Spike. Ha I loved those little fish. You and Mike are adorable, you always have the best stories!

[Someone Being Me]

That is sweet. The fish tank is very nice.

[Angella]

What a GREAT story! And he built the stand himself? He and Matthew would be fast friends.

FAQ? Hmmmm.

Do you like being a Jennifer? Or do you only like being called Jennie?

The gyst of the question being, do you like having the name of about fifty people I know, or do you sometimes wish your name was Uniqua?

;)

[Natalie]

Awww how cute! Micah is so impressed with Mike's tank! But, we can't come over too much or Micah might get too many ideas.

[Natalie]

Q: What day of the week do you like the best? & Why?