Our Story
If you asked me when Troy and I met, I wouldn't have an answer. I might guess that we met as freshmen in high school, because we both took honors classes, so it's likely that our paths crossed. However, the first time I remember actually noticing him was during CIS Economics during senior year. That was the start of something wonderful...
Senior Year
Or, Setting my Trap
As I mentioned, I first remember noticing Troy during the first quarter of senior year. He sat opposite the room from me, and with the way the desks were laid out, we were facing each other. But, just because I noticed him doesn't mean I liked him. In fact, I remember thinking he was just too weird and he bothered me a little bit. But as the year progressed and we had more and more classes together, that started to change.
By the time the end of the semester rolled around, I'd developed quite the crush on him, although he was blissfully oblivious (not much seems to have changed ~.^). Winter break came and went, and when we arrived back for the start of the second semester, it turned out we had lunch together. Or rather, we were scheduled to have lunch at the same time as each other. We still hadn't so much as had a full length conversation at that point.
Lucky for me, my friend Andria also had lunch at that time. I sat with her because we were friends, and although we weren't best of friends (at that point), she was the best friend I had that had lunch at that time. It just so happened that she was on the track team, as was Troy. So he ended up sitting with us at lunch, too, along with several other friends.
That semester of lunch was some of the most fun I had the entire time in high school. We were all constantly laughing, and we still talk about some of the things that happened during those few months. Not surprisingly, Troy and I became better friends, and my friendship with Andria also blossomed.
As I mentioned, Andria and Troy were both on the track team; she was a thrower, and Troy was a distance runner. Seeing a win-win situation, I started going to visit Andria at the track meets. Not only did I get to spend time with her, but I got to see Troy, too. I figured if I insinuated myself into his life enough, he would eventually stop being oblivious.
Of course, I had my own obligations that year, since I was a yearbook editor, and I was preparing for college the next fall. But, having lunch together every day was very advantageous, and we all became close friends.
After Graduation
Or, Getting the Ball Rolling
Since we had been friends for the better part of the second half of the year, we all invited each other to our respective graduation parties. Mine was the first, and I was thrilled when Troy actually showed up--I had doubts he really cared that much. Later, when Troy and I started dating my aunt would tell me that she knew he had some sort of feelings for me because of the way he looked at me.
Although I knew I wanted to go to Troy's grad party, I didn't want to go alone, so I dragged Andria along with me. After spending some time there, as she and I were about to leave, Troy finally asked me out. Or rather, said something along the lines of "So do you want to do something after I get back from orientation on Wednesday?" But, since I'd been desperate for him to make any sort of move, I was fairly giddy.
He called my right on schedule when he got back Wednesday afternoon, and we got some lunch and went for a walk. A few days later, I had my orientation, and we went to see a movie when I got back. After the third or fourth movie we'd gone too, I was feeling impatient again (he was so oblivious!) and outright asked him if we were boyfriend and girlfriend (smooth, right?). He gave a non-committal reply, but it was along the lines of "If you want to be" so I figured that was the best I was going to get out of him.
The rest of the summer was rather hectic; he was working almost full time hours at Geek Squad, and I was panicking about moving into the dorms.
College
Or, The Learning Curve
By some twist of fate, we both ended up going to the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota (a college withing the college, of sorts. There are 50,000 or so U of M students, but only about 3,000 of them are in IT). That made it easier to stay in touch, since we had some classes together, but it was still difficult since I was living on campus with no car, and he was living at home and commuting. That first year of college was rough on our relationship, but we managed to hold on well enough.
The next few years passed rather quickly. While he knew exactly what he wanted for a major, I bounced around several times before finally settling in math.
The May after our sophomore year, I went to China for a 3-week study abroad program. Before I left, I'd been having serious doubts about whether or not Troy and I belonged together. It didn't seem like we wanted or expected the same things out of our relationship. But, when my entire homesickness centered around desperately missing him, I knew I wanted to be with Troy. I think that trip opened both of our eyes. He quickly pulled his act together once I returned, and all the troubles we'd been having before I left seemed a distant memory.
Of course, the road was not entirely smooth. I made some stupid decisions with a mutual friend during sophomore year, but eventually things with Troy returned to normal.
In January of 2008 I learned that my dad had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, which was devastating. I found great comfort in Troy, even though I was often emotional and unfair to him. He stuck with me regardless, and I am eternally grateful for that.
Senior Year take II
Or, The Culmination
Through some bit of luck or magic, Troy managed his schedule well enough that he was able to graduate from the U a semester early. He was offered a job at General Mills, and started working there just before the start of the new year, only a few days after he'd finished his finals.
He and I had been talking for a while about getting married. Nothing finite, just that we were both happy with the way things were and we would like to be together for the rest of our lives. I had teased him that since it had taken him four months to kiss me (true story, he was so oblivious...) it would take him four years to propose to me. I was only off by about 6 months.
We got together on December 19th to exchange Christmas presents. I had a feeling that he was going to propose, but I was afraid to get my hopes up because I knew I'd be very disappointed if he didn't actually do it. He opened his present from me first, a clay hot air balloon and a certificate for a hot air balloon ride over the St. Croix River Valley.
Then it was my turn. He handed me a bag, which had a photo album in it. On the inside cover he'd written a short poem about love, then dedicated the album to me. As I turned the pages, he had inserted pictures of all the things we loved to do together--take pictures at Como, go to the Science Museum, go disc golfing, go canoeing, and on and on. As I flipped to the last page there were several pictures of a beautiful ring, with the words "With Beth I would like to spend the rest of my life".
He handed me a small wrapped box, and I tore the paper off to reveal the ring box that held the ring from the pictures. Needless to say, I cried, and essentially tackled him. We went to dinner, and the first person we told about our engagement was our waitress (classy, right?). Then we headed back to my house to tell my parents. By some twist of fate there was a bottle of champagne in the fridge, so we toasted to Troy's and my future. We called all my relatives to spread the good news.
The next day, all of our friends were gathering to exchanged Christmas presents. I went to Andria's early, and she squealed when I told her Troy had proposed. Amanda, Mike and Nick were next, and finally Brenton (he was the last to arrive, since he had to work). Everyone was very excited for us.
The next few days were a whirl-wind of activities, parties, family and congratulations. I've never had a more busy or wonderful Christmas.
The Future
Or, Keeping my Head Above Water
My dad passed away on March 1st. It's one of my biggest disappointments that he won't get to walk me down the aisle or dance with me at my reception. He'll never get to help me do home-improvements to the house Troy and I are planning to buy, or play with his grandkids. But, I can't focus on what could have been; I am eternally thankful that he got to share that joy with Troy and I the night Troy proposed, and we got one last Christmas together.
I graduated in the spring with a Bachelor of Science in Math emphasis Actuarial Science, but I'm still not sure what I'd like to do with it. But, I had promised myself I wouldn't start planning the wedding until after I'd graduated, so the start of summer signaled the start of planning.
Now, I'm almost always overwhelmed with what has to be done. I'm not only job-hunting, but Troy and I are starting the house-hunting process. I also never realized how much work went into planning a wedding. There are things I never would have thought of on my own. But, with Troy by my side, I know we can manage anything.
We've set our wedding date to be 10/1/10, and we can't wait. It's already been so many months since he proposed, yet we still have so many months to wait until we can start our lives at Mr. and Mrs. Dey together.
