When I first saw Mike, he was driving a blue 1957 Willy’s military jeep. We were in a Starbucks and Jamba Juice parking lot. This was a local hangout spot for college students. He was driving three other friends in his jeep. The top was off and they were yelling funny comments at people who were hanging out outside through the PA system. It was the year 2000, one of our first nights of freshman orientation at Simpson College in Redding, California. As the blue jeep full of rowdy college boys pulled up to me and my new college girlfriends, we heard, “What’s up, ladies?!” called out from the speakers.

This soon became Mike’s tagline for my friends and me. He also became known as the guy in the blue jeep. Eventually, that guy became my go-to for just about anything. He was the guy I went to for my dating advice. I would tell him about my latest crush, and he would tell me why that guy wasn’t good enough for me. When I came back to the dorms from a date, I would immediately go see him and tell him how it went. He always found something to make fun of my date about and make me laugh, which was one of the things he did best. He did this to the point where it would make me not like that guy anymore because I couldn’t stop thinking about everything Mike said was wrong with him. I did not realize his plan at the time. He was doing it on purpose all along because he had a crush on me and wanted me all to himself.

Before I knew it this guy I had viewed as my best buddy was turning into my new crush. He had this way of not just making me feel like he really liked me, but that he adored me. He would look into my eyes and pause, which made me feel beautiful. Even in a group of people, his attention was always on me. He had this gentleman-like way that made me feel comfortable, safe, and respected. I remember telling my friend in her dorm room one night after we all got back from going out together, “Mike is going to make one lucky girl so happy one day.”

On November 21, 2000, while sitting on the couch in the lobby of my dorm, Mike asked me to be his girlfriend. He told me he knew from day one of meeting me that he was going to be with me. He was just waiting for me to realize it too. It took me four months to recognize this funny, big-hearted, basketball-playing buddy of mine was beginning to become more than a buddy to me. I had feelings for him all along; it just took me some time to realize it. I knew I wanted to be the lucky girl he was going to make so happy.

This was the beginning of our love story.

Twenty years ago today I became one lucky girl. A girl who grew up with a boy who loved her like no other. A girl who turned into a woman, a wife and a mom right along side that boy who turned into a man, a husband and a dad.

Here I am twenty years later, still the luckiest girl and indeed beyond blessed.

Blessed to have a love story I can share with my children, grandchildren, and the world. A love story of commitment, faith, family, and love… so much love.

In twenty more years I will still celebrate the day I became Mike’s girlfriend. I will forever be thankful he chose me.