Howdy, neighbor: My roommate Karen had already lived in the neighborhood a year when I moved in, and she introduced our neighbors, one of whom was Kimmy. He was a tall, lanky guy with a stunning smile and killer sense of humor. Everyone was student-poor and most activities were Dutch and group, but Kim and I found ourselves seeking each other’s company and realized sparks were flying.
Singing machine: I was at Bar Charlotte with some younger friends one Saturday night and at 29, it didn’t take long to realize I was too old for that place. I left them to go to Yesteryears, a place I’d been going for ages and had hosted karaoke at a few years while in college. It was there I met Patrick, who told a friend of mine he was impressed with me, and he didn’t mean my singing.
Young love: Our first time to go to church together was for Christmas service and when we brought Josh home, he gave me a gold bracelet in a glittery, red, heart-shaped jewelry case. He was always such a gentleman, I never felt like he was pressuring me. I remember what I liked most about Josh (and still do) is that he is very easy-going. Nothing seems to bother him and he can calm me down just by looking at me.
Nothing fancy: When David and I met, he was dating someone else so I didn’t think twice about him. A few months later, I was working in Raleigh and he was home in Charlotte for the summer, single again. As was the cool thing back in the day, we chatted on and off on AIM, an internet messenger.
Not yet: For an entire year, John would ask me out every Sunday at our youth group meetings. I thought he was loud, intimidating and just goofy, so for a year he got shot down repeatedly. Through junior high, high school and college, we dated other people but still remained friends.
See you soon: I didn’t spend much time with Dwayne at the reunion, but in August I called to wish my cousin a happy birthday and they were out together. I told my cousin to tell him hello and the next day, Dwayne and I spoke on the phone for six hours. By the end of the call, we’d made plans for me to visit him in Charlotte in October.
Brenda and Bryan, both 52, have been a couple since they met at 18. Brenda’s family moved into the same apartment building that Bryan lived in and the two began dating shortly after. Within eight months, they moved in together and were married Feb. 28, 1980 in Fort Mill, S.C. The couple live in Charlotte, and they both tell their story.
You again: The first time I met Ashley I was at Cosmo’s with a friend. Ashley and her girlfriends asked us to watch their coats as they mingled. We spoke briefly but parted ways with a “nice to meet you.” One week later, I saw her again at Can’s and this time I was persistent in talking with her.
Young at heart: I was thinking my social life was pretty bleak because I was 23 and going to a frat party with my 18-year-old sister. Who goes to a college party after they graduate? But it was better than going home and I met Alex that night. He asked for my number and – this was before cellphones – I told him it was in the phone book when he couldn’t find a piece of paper to write on.
Bank run: I grew up in Charlotte and Fernando had been living here about nine years when we started dating. I had met him at the bank in the past – obviously, his amazing Latino looks made it impossible to forget him – but nothing more than simple conversations came from our meetings.
We’re looking for young married couples to tell us how they fell in love. How did you meet? What were your first impressions? How was your first date? What attracted you to each other?
