My grandmother was one of few women attending university in the early 1920's and probably the only woman majoring in chemistry. As the only female in lab classes and lectures, she was surrounded by men and her mother, my great-grandmother, hoped this university experience would yield a prospective suitor. My grandmother though was not going to be distracted from her studies. She wanted to earn her degree, work, travel and perhaps find her future husband abroad, as she had always fantasized spending her life with a sophisticated European.
Nearly a decade later and well into her 30's, my grandmother was financially independent and had by now seen much of the world during her travels. Her family had long since given up on the idea that she would marry and have a family. Nonetheless, as my grandmother readied herself for a party one particular evening, she still held the faint hope that someday she would encounter the European she had dreamt about.
Two hours into the party and rather bored, she leaned to her friend and whispered that she was ready to leave. As she gathered her things, she heard several party-goers welcome another guest, when she turned to look to see who it was she met the gaze of a distinguished looking man about ten years her senior. They were soon introduced by the party's host and my grandmother returned her belongings and went to sit back down with her friend. Her friend, surprised at my grandmother's return, asked why the sudden change of attitude as my grandmother was not one to change her mind so quickly. My grandmother's response was quite simple: "Why I've met my European!"
They were soon married and within two years my grandmother, then 37 years old, gave birth to my father. I loved hearing this story as a child because as much as I craved the "happily-ever-after" fairy tales, this one taught me that you can't wait around for the right someone to wake you from that slumber, rescue you from that tower, or fit you with the glass slipper. Rather, you have to live your life and yet still believe that someday your prince will come.
Meet Our Readers
From Russia with Love
It's party time in
A Big Win for Texas
We met at our orientation BBQ for grad school. I suppose many would call it fate... we never saw each other the entire event.
Earlier in the day during orientation I had met some fellow religion students, so I had strictly mingled with my new friends, while James (who didn't have orientation until 2 weeks later) made himself some friends.
Several people in both our groups wanted to meet the president of the university, so while our friends attempted to weasel their way closer to the president, we ended up face to face introducing ourselves- having a side chat. Within 5-10 minutes James had left his new group of friends to spend the remainder of the night with us.
I called him the next day and well you know how that turned out.
I was at my first real college party. I was out of my dorm room with friends I had only just met that week, at a party being thrown by upper-class-men junior boys. I repeat: upper-class-men boys. Yeah, I know, it was pretty awesome. I didn’t have parents waiting for me to get home, I hadn’t had to create an elaborate rouse to allay suspicions of my whereabouts, and I wasn’t trying to pretend the drink in my hand was just a diet coke.
I felt like a real college student. An adult, if you will.
There was only one thing that can put a damper on a perfect evening like this: your ride telling you she’s ready to got home. I had an immediate pang of disappointment since I was definitely not ready to leave yet.
The booze was just starting to hit me and I had lots of people surrounding me and wanting to talk. I belonged, and I wanted to stay. “Okay,” she said, “We’ll just find you another ride home.”
Close Your Eyes and Defy Gravity
The story of how we met began in November of 2007. My best friend suggested that I go to her company Christmas party with a coworker she wanted me to meet. I have never been the type of person eager to be set up, so I was happy to tell her that I had plans for that same day.
Time passed, and my family and I paid a visit to this same best friend on New Year's Eve. She made mention of this coworker again. Once again, I blew off the idea of getting set up.
Flash forward to April of 2008.
No Fancy Car
In March of 2002, Merkus’s sister Karah from called to tell him about a work friend of hers named Stacie. She was a college-educated, independent professional, while
he was a long-haired college dropout, the lead singer of an obscure band
According to Karah, however, they had a lot in common…interest in Tom’s of Maine products, Crystal Deodorant and yoga. Hmm.
At the time, Merkus was living in
“Is she hot?” Merkus asked.
A Perfect Balance
Jonathan and I met a week after my 21st birthday.
It was at a dueling piano bar and my friends decided to dedicate a birthday song to me, which led to me trying to hula-hoop on top of the piano while they sang happy birthday.
I saw Jonathan with his friends sitting at the table next to the piano and thought he was cute.
My friends decided to let him know of my obvious crush and before you know it, he buys me a birthday drink. Although we exchanged numbers, after a few minutes of talking, I was not very smitten by his charm. He called a few days later and I decided I just wasn't interested.
I had just ended a bad relationship, and he was enjoying his single life.
From Fantasy to Reality
Our love story starts out in 2003 with a man and his dog in Dallas, Texas and woman snowed in, in Kansas City, Missouri. I’m originally from Texas so the Kansas City winters were killing me. I hardly even went out to the store let alone dated. Mostly stayed at home and played online computer games. I wasn’t interested in romance at the time.
Meanwhile my husband to be was in Dallas taking his mini schnauzer for a walk. The dog, Willum, slipped his leash and ran off. Hubby to be took off after him tearing though yards and alleys. He stepped in a hole and blew out his Achilles tendon. A neighbor found the dog and brought him home. Hubby went to the hospital the next day for surgery to repair his ankle. He ended up in a wheelchair with a cast on his leg.
It is a miracle that we met at all. Considering the fact that never one of us was looking for a mate and neither of us left the house much. The cosmos decided to bring us together despite our every effort to remain single.
Photo Okayed
One day a proposal came to my father from the prospective suitable boy's maternal uncle. Our family was known to them. After the initial proposal, the uncle and the prospective boy's father came to discuss the proposal with my father one evening. Maa made necessary preparations to receive the important guests.
During the meeting the suitability of the boy was discussed which included his education, which was pretty impressive, his profession and family. The uncle then asked baba about me. Both seemed to be satisfied and agreed to progress. Photographs were exchanged. The boy's photo was shown to me and my opinion was sought. I saw the face of a reasonably personable young man and decided he would do. I guess the young man also thought the same, for it was rumored his telegram to his parents read 'Photo Okayed'.
Ours was a very traditional arranged marriage with each other’s consent. Arranged marriages usually conjure a picture of a practical, well planned affair, devoid of any romantic aspect. In my experience, ours was far from it. One constantly thinks of the distant person. The element of surprise and anticipation of falling in love is incredibly romantic.
- Susan Amestoy
- Berlin, Germany
- Being a Valentine's Day baby, I am an incurable romantic. The day after I met my future husband, I called my best friend to tell her that I had just met the guy I would marry; cheesy...but true. Thirty years later we are still together. I love sharing our "how we met story" and have posed the "how did you meet?" question to friends, colleagues, and sometimes complete strangers.Whether the romance is a failure or a happily ever after success, the “how you met” story is a cherished memory of hope, excitement and serendipity. The stories that we share are often touching and always delightful. I have collected stories from couples who live all over the world, and now I'll ask you, So...How did you meet anyway?
