25 years ago this evening I realized I was a pretty luck guy… Yes, Sue and I had our first “date” on Valentine’s Day. We had met each other a few weeks before and talked, shared a meal with a bunch of other folks, nothing that would be considered a big deal. She paid for a few dinners when I was short of cash. I had spent so much money trying to impress girls only to be ignored or used (Love is blind to the basic economic factors which shape our present day society), that I had decided I was done, and wasn’t going to shower a girl with gifts just to get her to either like or notice me. If I ever fell for someone it would just happen & I would cross that bridge when I got to it.

Then my fraternity (it was a geeky fraternity) decided to hold an impromptu Valentine’s Party. I showed up, dressed to just have some fun… Yes, I did wear a Goofy hat. Sue showed up after being invited by one of my fraternity brothers (Beej- I am forever in your debt). Some time during the night another mutual friend pulled me aside and informed me that (like I was in elementary school) she knew someone “liked” me. I was not oblivious (This was in the days before “self esteem” and I was scared- and ok, fine maybe a little oblivious) For the rest of the evening we talked and laughed. Over the next weeks, & months we became best friends. Then after a few failed attempts we got engaged (long story- best saved for later) and now we’ve been married for over 20 years- and she has to deal with me putting her in a comic strip.
So even a geek can find love… even when he’s not even trying. On that note, Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!