Mimi's Next Story: Erin & Kevin

                                        
                                                         Going Geek

   For some people, the memories of homecoming events or football games dominate the highlight reel of their high school years. But for Kevin and Erin, it was more about the other well-known right-of-passage occasion that brought them together.

   Prom.

   Thirteen years later, they both remember the fateful day that one of them made a move that would change their lives forever. Erin asked Kevin to her Junior prom.

   Mutual friends thought they’d be a good fit. They both played lacrosse so they had that in common. But that’s where the similarities ended. Even as a senior, Kevin was painfully shy, more friend-zone than ladies man. Erin was a little more outgoing and summoned up the will to make things happen. She admired his tall & athletic build, dark eyes and olive complexion. His awkward and nerdy demeanor appealed to her. She was on the hunt for a boyfriend and quickly decided that he fit the bill.

   That day, they stood at his locker as Erin nervously asked that age-old high school question, “Will you go to the prom with me?” Believing the tall, stylish brunette was out of his league, he stared at his feet and luckily found the voice to say yes. Admittedly to both, it wasn’t exactly a fairy-tale; it seemed more like a romantic comedy. Erin was so afraid that he was saying yes out of pity, she made him tell her more than once. To break the ice before prom night, they decided to go on a double date to the mall. Erin drove him home that night and showed her heightened interest by writing her phone number on his forearm. Kevin called her the next day.

   Things moved quickly after that; they spoke on the phone often. Soon they decided to progress to the next step by declaring it an official relationship. Fortunately, Erin was able to look past Kevin’s kissing inexperience and lack of skills in making out. They both share that his initial technique left much to be desired.

   Kevin admired many things about Erin. When asked now, he talks most about her beauty, positive outlook, and desire to make other people happy. Her ability to make him constantly enjoy the great life they share makes him only appreciate her more years later.

   They dated for many years, only breaking up for a brief period of a few months. That time away made Erin realize that Kevin was the perfect guy for her. He, on the other hand, knew it the entire time. He still adores her more than ever and says how lucky he was to find the right person the first time around. Erin feels the same and shares her thoughts on how to know if you’ve found the one. She says, “If at the end of the day, you cuddle up in that person’s arms and feel completely yourself, then you’ve probably got it pretty darn good.”

   They got married in 2008 and reside in New York. Kevin works for a major phone company and Erin happily stays home to take care of their two little boys.

The Second Story – Melissa & Corey

The Twin Whisperer

  They were blonde, blue-eyed and dead sexy. Oh and did I mention twins? Muscular man twins, that is. When Melissa first set eyes on Corey and his brother striding across the lawn of the air force base that summer night, the fun of doublemint gum was the last thing on her mind. She was all about the beefcake. 

  Melissa was at a keg party with her friends and called dibs on him immediately. Knowing her well and having witnessed her wild shenanigans for years, Melissa’s friends knew Corey didn’t stand a chance. As one of the few female aircrew members, Melissa had her pick of available men on base. And pick away she usually did. But only this super shy one made her blush.

  It was months later when they ran into each other again. That fateful day, Melissa was still recovering from a recent prophetic dream about Corey. In it, they were married with three kids and passionately in love. Since she’d confided this to a big-mouthed friend, Corey had been privy to her amorous ideas. Needless to say, there was the potential for an extremely awkward encounter.

  Thankfully, they had something else to discuss. Melissa had accidentally dyed her brunette hair a bright shade of red, provoking Corey’s smooth first remark, “What did you do to your hair?” Luckily, it was enough to start a conversation. Looking back, Corey recalls that, before meeting Melissa, he had no desire to go up to someone and invite them on a date. Being ever so helpful, she was more than happy to introduce him to an old friend who knew the way to coax him out of his shell. I’m referring to the smooth and oh-so-sophisticated Mister Jack Daniels.

  The first date was a smashing success! Corey quickly found himself enamored with her beauty, wit, and lovely-shaped…eyes. Melissa loved the way he was just the right mix of reserved gentleman and goofball. She tells him all the time, he is literally the man of her dreams. 

  They got married in 2000. Twelve years later, Corey works as an Air Force pilot and Melissa’s still his devoted groupie. They live in Mississippi with their three sons.  

The First Story - Lisa & Brian

            The Matchmaking Magic of Jagermeister

A weeknight out at the bar is usually uneventful. Whether making the trip out for trivia night, happy hour or a football game, people tend to be more subdued since they have to be up for work the next day.

  In this couple’s story, it was a Wednesday night at a Montclair, NJ bar. This popular hangout was widely known as a fun neighborhood bar and attracted large crowds of returning locals. Lisa and her friends were still recovering from a wild Saturday night spent drinking, gabbing, and dancing. A popular cover band had played, so the stakes had been high to keep dancefloor rage to a minimum.

 Mimi’s quick definition: Dancefloor rage is the feeling that occurs when you are trying to share a dancefloor with many other people and are constantly being slammed into from all sides. Elbows, heels, and even alcoholic beverages are commonly used weapons to regain stolen space. It has not yet been defined by Urban Dictionary.

  It’s never fun if you get kicked out of a bar. Luckily, they actually had a great time and when one of their friends wanted to go back to that bar a few days later, they couldn’t resist. Lisa, who worked in insurance marketing, was single; she’d just ended a relationship with a short-term guy. He’d been too boring. This particular night she was looking to just get out, have a good time and enjoy her 20s. This bar was just the place. 

  Brian, who worked in video production, was out with his friends and sitting at a separate table. He had just returned to the area after a few years of living in California. He was just looking to have guys’ night out with his buddies. His plans for the night were lowkey, evidenced by his attire of a hoodie and jeans. One of his friends was dating a girl named “A” who was there but seated at a different table with her friends.

  Lisa was one of these friends. After some time, the two groups merged together and Lisa and Brian were introduced. One of Lisa’s first thoughts was that she’d never dated a bald guy before. But that thought passed as quickly as it had come when the pair settled into a table away from the group and started talking. Their first topic of conversation would have disappointed any dating expert: their exes. But in their case, that subject broke the ice. What also helped were the Jager shots that were ordered to supplement their continuous lively discussion.

   As the night came to an end, Brian insisted that she take his number. He pulled what he thought was a piece of scrap paper out of his pocket and scrawled his number across the back. However, when Lisa returned home, she noticed something strange about the paper he had handed her. It was a professional business card. More specifically, it was a business card for a person (not Brian) who gave personal massages for a living. She briefly wondered why he was carrying it around in his pocket that night and whether it was a good idea to call him. But as you can guess, Lisa called Brian a day later and they began dating. Thanks to this story being written, Lisa finally thought to ask Brian why he had the card. He was stunned because he had no idea he’d used an entrepreneurial friend’s business card for his number that night and they had a good laugh about it. 

They have been happily married since 2008.

The Stories

Elation. Disbelief. Hope. Surprise. 

The pure joy felt by a puppy running through an open field. 

 Feelings that set the rest of your life in motion. 

As a true romantic and believer in fate,there's a question that I always ask two people in love.

How did you meet? 

Many times, it's all about chance and luck. For some it may take one look. For others, it may take several... plus a drink to become more open-minded. I'm also just plain nosy. I love hearing all the small details. Not everyone gets their blurb in the wedding announcements or has patient friends so I'm always willing to lend an attentive ear to both strangers and friends. 

But I don't think I'm the only one. So if you're fascinated with the unique details too, check out my stories. 

If you need need your gossip fix, I will also be posting my take on those things that I find entertaining in celebrity news and other pop culture stories.

While some people build houses for those in need or provide medical aid in third world countries, I think of this site as the one small thing I can do to make the world a better, happier place.