Personality type: We only knew each other four months before Ben was sent to North Dakota. He was so much fun to be around. He has a strong personality and I admired that because I was very shy at the time. After he left we didn’t keep in touch, but I always wondered where life had taken him.
Throwback style: I was still dating my high school sweetheart when George and I met. Despite George’s mega-mullet – it was literally down to his rear – his black and white snakeskin cowboy boots caught my eye. We saw each other out with friends over the next few months, and though we didn’t speak much, he had the kindest eyes and I knew he had a kind soul.
Truth in advertising: I’m not one to walk up to a stranger, but I saw Noelle’s shirt while she played on the court next to my team. All my friends are married, and I was the token single guy, so they kept pestering me to talk to her. Our game ended, but I stood around for 20 minutes waiting for her to finish. I sheepishly asked if the shirt was true. Noelle seemed surprised, like she didn’t remember what it said, but responded “Sure, I guess.”
Young love: I remember Rose was very funny and she laughed a lot back in the day. She still does, but back then, not too many girls laughed at my jokes. Our first date was while we were in middle school, we went with two of our friends to a Charlotte Checkers game when they played over at Independence Arena.
College or Pro?: Six girlfriends and I went to the Thomas Street Tavern to catch a Panthers preseason game. Matt and his two buddies got there early enough to grab the stools in front of the big screen at the back patio bar, which happened to be a few feet from our table. Over the course of the evening I had been eyeballing Matt. Finally, with enough encouragement from my girlfriends, I decided to squeeze between Matt and his friend to order a drink early in the third quarter. He joked that I could push him off his bar stool if he was in the way.
Running late: We met on Sept. 25, 2010 for our first date at Cantina 1511. We had spent several days getting to know each other by email and phone, so our first date felt like we had known each other for quite awhile. Heather was late and tried to blame it on the traffic, but I didn’t care. When she pulled up it was love at first sight.
Co-worker connection: We both worked at SouthPark mall while we were in college. He was the “Hot Godiva Guy” and I was the “Hot Nine West Girl,” at least to each other. We didn’t date but we had a flirty friendship. Eventually, Matthew moved to Atlanta to pursue his bachelor’s degree. He also joined the Marines in 2001. We rarely spoke for the next few years.
Miss Confident, Mr. Shy:I loved (David’s) Southern accent, rock-steady demeanor and gentlemanly ways. He was very quiet and shy – a perfect complement to my outgoing personality. David was attracted by my confidence and ability to stand out in a crowd. Because David was so shy, I knew that I would have to make it obvious that I liked him.
Afton and Keith Mulvihill lived on opposite coasts and met online about 11 years ago, but it took much more time - some spent in a magic kingdom - to convince the couple that they should get together.
James and Sladjana's romance started in a war zone. James met Sladjana while deployed in Iraq in 2011 as lieutenant commander, Navy Selected Reserves. Sladjana, who is from Bosnia, was working as a contractor outside Tikrit. They were married last year.
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?
