The Story

I have to say, the story of how I met my wife is a good one.  The year: 2001.  Location: The Pavilion Ice Skating Rink in Greenville, SC.

Rocky Creek Baptist Church's youth and children's pastor had scheduled a skate night for the children.  I wanted to go with my little sister and dad, so I did.  My friend Tyler showed up, believing it to be a youth function.   I knew everyone there, everyone but two sisters: Connie, who was in elementary school and Dorothy, who was my age.

When we got onto the ice rink I noticed that my dad was skating with this very pretty girl.  She was teaching my dad how to skate backwards.  Dad had resigned from youth pastor about 8 months prior to this, so he was still in prime "relating to teenagers" mode.  At some point before I saw them together, he had realized that these sisters didn't know anyone, and he befriended the older.  Anyway- she was teaching my dad how to skate backward.

I remember the moment that I saw her- I remember most of that moment, except what I was doing.  It was as if I was completely out of the moment, simply an audience to her existence.  She was wearing a black blouse with a red floral pattern on it, smiling and laughing as my dad comically tried to skate in reverse.  But alas, I was transparent.  I continued skating with my friends, but now aware that a cute girl was in the vicinity.

On the ride back, I was sitting with Tyler in the middle of the bus.  The seat that would later become "Dorothy and my seat".  Dorothy was sitting in the back, with my dad, who was getting to know his skating partner.  I remember being quiet so I could hear what she was saying, and I learned her family had recently moved from Houston, Texas, and that she was in 7th grade.  My dad asked her "What school do you go to?"  Dad: thank you for asking that question.  She responded, "Hillcrest Middle School."

"O, really? My son goes there!" My dad responded.  "Josh!"
I turned around,  pretending that I had not been listening to their conversation, and at the same time trying to pretend that I was the coolest person in the world.
"What, Dad?"
"I want you to meet someone- this is Dorothy.... Nowak? Did I get that right?" He re-affirmed her name, and when she nodded, he turned to me.
"She just moved here from Houston, and she goes to your school.  She is also in 7th grade."

"O, cool.  It's nice to meet you." I responded in a way that can only be classified as the awkardness of 12yr old boy.  I smiled, waved, and turned back around.

Later that night, my dad and I told my mom about this girl we had met.  Me, my dad, and a few friends had started a Bible study at Hillcrest Middle the year before called "Blaze."  My dad suggested inviting her to it the next day at church, to which I agreed.

Now, I am a shy person, but back then- I was 10x worse.  I didn't want you to know I got excited about anything.  But that next morning at Sunday service, my dad handed me a brochure for Blaze and reminded me to invite her.

"Can't you do it, Dad?" I asked, focusing only on what this girl would think of me, not even thinking she would remember me.

"No, it would mean a lot to her if you did." Again, Dad: thank you!
"Okay"

I looked for her, and I saw her and her family walking out of the church.  I psyched myself up (somehow), and ran after her, yelling "Dorothy!"  (I am convinced to this day that someone else had taken control of my body at that moment in time)

She turned around, and her family stopped in the aisle.

Now somewhat out of breath because of the adrenaline and sprinting and yelling, I said,
"Here's an invitation to that Blaze thing we told you about yesterday." I got the chance to talk to her, but I still had to play it cool.

Well, luckily she came to Blaze, regardless of the pathetic invitation she got.  We became friends, which turned into best friends.  And all the while I thought, "Man, this girl is cute."  And all the while, she never noticed. If you have ever seen a teen movie, I was the quintessential "best friend in love with the girl."

Eventually, she realized my feelings for her, and her feelings for me grew.  But that's a story for another day.