I wore a black t-shirt and jeans with flip flops, nothing fancy. He arrived in the camp van and drove right past my house. When he stepped out of the car I saw he was wearing a black button down dress shirt and his European style 'jeans'. He had a bunch of gel in his hair and I was so nervous I could barely walk out to the car. I guess what I was feeling is what people call 'butterflies, but it felt more like large trolls playing bongos in my stomach that day. Pieter and I hugged and I remember him smelling so nice, as if he had drenched himself in cologne.
Expectations of this day were high and when I got settled in the warm van he asked me what I had planned for us to do today. This was my responsibility because he was not familiar with Woodstock, surrounding counties, Virginia, or the U.S. at all! All my fantasies and dreams of the day had faded away and I had no idea how we would spend our time together. Just being next to him in person was surreal.
We ended up driving back to Harrisonburg and going to Arby's because I needed to use the restroom. I thought it would be a simple in and out trip, but he followed behind me with my purse in hand after parking the van. We were hungry so we went ahead and got sandwiches there. I ordered and then he ordered (awkwardly). We each paid for our own meal.
I remember his driving terrified me. (I now know that he is not used to driving because of where he's from_ the Netherlands) We made our way to the Bridgewater Park where we spent quite a few hours enjoying each others company, being in awe of the fact that we were actually talking in person, and soaking up the sun on a nice spring day. We laughed about the ducks swimming in the river and we walked around the park. Our relationship was already showing how simple our time could be spent together and still be special.
When dinner time came around I had pictured us having a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant, but both of us were content with going to 7-11 to get a sub and chips and having a picnic by the river back at the park.
Evening came and the chill of spring caused us to go from the park to a friend's house where we watched the movie 'Mama Mia' and finished up our day.
I recall the day going by way too fast and me not wanting it to end. I remember wanting to pause certain moments of the day spent with this guy so I could capture every detail. I knew there was something special evolving and that scared me more than anything else.
That day, I had no idea I would call that man my husband someday, but I am so grateful that I do. We look forward to many more picnics in the park, making little insignificant things into big memories, and enjoying each others company in the years to come!
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| I regret not getting a picture of the two of us before our first date, but this one is from my 20th birthday. |
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