In the Beginning

Back in March I showed up for work one morning wearing my favorite brown suit. It was just a normal day for me. I had gotten up that morning and went to the gym as I did every day. I came into work not thinking that anything was going to happen out of the ordinary that day. In fact I was sort of in a bad mood because I knew that it was a Friday night and instead of being out on the town with friends I was going to be at work late because we had a game against the Indiana Pacers.

Yes, it was the first game back in Detroit after the infamous brawl at the Palace and for me it was going to be a PR nightmare all night long. The million questions from national and local media about the arena, security, etc. Little did I know though that my job should have been the least of my concerns that evening because on that night I met the one...the guy!

I just happened to sit down in his row next to his friend after finding out that the game was delayed due to an in house bomb threat. Not only had I been at work all day but now I was going to have to be here longer trying to spin this incredible mess. And to top it all off I seemed to be the only one in the arena without a drink. Of all the places in all the world this is how I met the one. It is one of those stories you just know you can't wait to tell your kids in the future or the 95 million family and friends that will ask about it for the next year or so as they get to know him. It is a great story and I was excited to get to go back and reminisce today when I found a picture of my friend Jayna, him and I at the first basketball game we went to after we had met.

It was Toga night against the Sacramento Kings and I had bought tickets for Jayna and I to go to the game when she was coming into town. After meeting him I just happened to also pick up the two tickets next to us so that he and his friend could join us. And on the way to that game we kissed for the first time. And not in that oh so romantic way that everyone imagines it would happen but instead on an almost 8th grade dare did I lean into the back seat and kiss him.

I could think that from that moment I was just putty in his hand but instead our relationship has been filled with ups and downs. Moments that prepare you for spending the rest of your life with someone.

Troubling times, but great times as well. And I can't imagine going through these times with anyone else. In these troubling times in our country we should remember it is not the material things that we should cherish but the people. The people who come into our lives and touch our hearts.

That is what Justin has done for me and I am forever grateful I leaned into that backseat and that he said yes to going to a basketball game with some friends that one Friday night!