I'm not sure if I believe in love at first sight, but I know that on the night of August 22,1998, as Robert dropped me off for the first time, I was certain my life would forever be different.

Hopping in
It was an awkward time in my life. I was a partying rebellious teenager and had plans to dance it up at Sunset Junction on this Sunday afternoon with my friend, Jose. He, of course, was running late and sent his friend, Robert "Long Legs", in his place to pick me up. I gazed upon a silver Honda Accord approaching my driveway and a young short-haired pretty boy called out, "Are you Cesar? Hop in!" I hesitantly did.

The Twinkle
The pretty boy took off his sunglasses and introduced himself. "I'm Robert." , he said in an attractive deep yet feminine voice. I was instantly intrigued! His eyes were a golden honey with eyelashes that almost pushed off his glasses. I wasn't sure about it then, but there was a twinkle in his eyes that made me want to know more about this beautiful man. That twinkle is still there.

Bellbottoms and Designer Duds
Apparently Jose was running very late because Robert suggested hanging out before meeting him. (I later discovered that Robert just wanted to spend time with me alone.) I suggested a thrift store, I frequented. I purchased the most hideous plaid bellbottoms and asked Robert if he was going to buy something. By the looks of his Todd Oldham t shirt and designer jeans, I soon realized he wasn't interested in anything used. He and I couldn't have been more different!

Butterflies
We finally arrived at Sunset Junction and enjoyed walking, talking, laughing, eating and dancing until the late evening. As the night grew colder, Robert got closer and I began to feel the butterflies. I got nervous. "I think this hot guy likes me!" I thought to myself. We held hands the whole night and I silently prayed that the night would never end. Upon dropping me off, I gave Robert a kiss on the cheek and said good night.

Matchmaker
A few days later, I got a call from my friend Joseph. "Just listen to this and dont say a word!" he said. He conferenced me into his phone conversation with Robert and I overheard him saying very sweet things about me. Later that evening, I got another call from Joseph and he began to ask me questions about Robert.

The First Fight
"Robert, if you want to know what I think about you, just ask me!", I exclaimed. Robert came out of hiding and claimed that I didnt like him and I should just say so. Just then, my phone began to die so I asked if I could return his call later. He said I was making it up and soon after I got disconnected. I couldnt believe Robert actually liked me. We were so different, and he got so passionate when I didnt immediately say I liked him. That night I couldnt sleep because I couldnt stop thinking about what could be.

Boyfriends- August 28, 1998
The next morning I called Robert and said, "Ok Robert, we are now boyfriends." He was confused. "Does that mean we can see other people or is this exclusive?" he asked. To which I replied, "No. From now on, you and I will be together. Just us." and since then, it has been just that, just us...

The day of our wedding will mark the 12 year anniversary of that very conversation.