I first introduced myself to Heather in Grand Island, Nebraska. While this was my first time talking to her, this was not where our story began. It started like this:

“I don’t like things most people like,” the words that came out of this girl’s mouth who I’d never met before. That’s not something I hear. A girl vocalizing expressing her distaste at being ‘part of the crowd.’ ‘Who is she?’ I thought to myself. I turned and saw a girl dressed in boots, black slacks a driver’s cap, a cardigan; looking like she just stepped off the boat from England, very original.

But did I have the nerve to talk to talk to her? No I certainly did not. I just laughed at her joke and watched her from a far like a nervous child peeking from behind their parent’s leg. Ah well, I am sure I will see her around now that I know she works here. I will just talk to her next time. There’s always a next time.

And certainly there was. I was buying my airline tickets to Nebraska from a co-worker’s computer. He had a company card. I did not being that I had only been on the team for two weeks. I heard a laugh. It was a peculiar sound in this part of the company. It was a feminine laugh. I look up and see standing by my desk talking to another co-worker; Her.

Why couldn’t I be at my desk now? Ah well, I thought as my eyes relegated themselves to glancing briefly and darting back down. Trying to split my attention between rattling off my information to get my airline ticket and watching this girl from afar.

My eyes widening. She just looked right up out over the way and was looking right at me! Our eyes locked and she was smiling in my direction.

I took that as my signal to walk over and introduce myself. “Hi my name is Daniel” I said. “Oh Daniel, finally. I’ve been waiting for you to finally introduce yourself to me. I’ve seen you around and was hoping for the day that you would approach me. Why don’t you take me to a brewery where we can get a burger, fries and beer. Here this is my number you can pick me up on Friday at 7.”

“Dan how do you spell your last name?”

What? My glazed over eyes, coming back into focus. Oh. “H-E-I-N-E-K-I-N-G.”  None of that actually happened.

How it actually happened was she looked at me and then I looked down and back up. And then she looked away and then went away. Another chance lost.

Fast forward. I was in Grand Island, Nebraska driving trucks around delivering parts to here and there. I heard that there were new people coming to take over for the one girl and the other guy who was leading the operation. The new guy was Stanley and the girl was Heather. I wonder if Heather is the name of the girl I had seen around the office those couple times. The one who so adamantly stated how she doesn’t like what most people like.

It was about 4:30 or 5 on a Monday afternoon. It was a good 80º outside and the sun was bright. Stanley had already arrived. He was getting to know the rest of us and how the operation was run. Stanley gave us an update saying Heather would be there soon.

A gray Dodge Avenger came pulling up into the parking lot of the little warehouse. The moment of truth. Could this Heather girl be the one I had seen?

The care comes to a stop and the door opens.

Here we go. I am watching to see who comes out with anticipation.

She steps out, and says “Yuck. It’s so hot out.”

Yes it was her! My prayers and beating myself up had all been worth something. Stanley came around and introduced her to everybody. I shook her hand and said hello.

After the introductions she was standing talking to Stanley about how he gave her bad directions and that because of them she got lost along the way. I decided okay. I can’t sit and just watch anymore. I have to make a move.

I walked up to them and started talking about the work we were doing which transitioned into, “Since we are going to be working with one another, we should exchange numbers.” Stanley was the first to give me his number and then I called his phone so he would have mine. He would definitely need my number since I would be reporting to him.

Then I turned my focus towards Heather, and asked what her phone number was. I eagerly punched in her number into my contacts, while showing the utmost restraint on the outside… don’t make it more than what it is. I followed it up with some light conversation about dinner and such.

I stepped away from a conversation that took all my nerve and it gained me a foothold to find out more about this girl who captured my interest.

After our excursion to Nebraska ended I came back to spend only a few more days together with Heather. She was going to be moving to Seattle. How perfect. I find a girl I like and she is moving away. Doesn’t life just work that way?

I couldn’t ask her to stay because I knew to the most fundamental level how much she needed to move. If I had asked I know she would have stayed but, she would not have been happy.  I have experienced exactly what she needed and could not in good conscience ask her to stay no matter how much I wanted her to.

We were nearly inseparable for those few days we had together. We just enjoyed each other’s company. Exploring the city, driving around, good will shopping, making dinner at my apartment; it didn’t really matter the activity just that we were spending time together.

The day came. I wasn’t sure about how things between us were going to proceed. It sure felt like things were all coming to an end. That this might be the last time I would see this amazing woman. Heather came over for dinner. The last meal. I didn’t allow myself to focus on ‘this was our last evening together.’ That would only take away from being able to fully enjoy the moment.

It was work night for me and Heather’s flight was leaving early morning and had an hour drive to get to the airport. The time was2AM. We were at the sullen realization that now was the time. We would say our final good byes. I was angry that it had to be this way but, also sad that she was leaving. I gave her a long long hug. I can’t stress enough how much it felt like this could be the last time I’d see this woman. Damn why do things have to go this way. I showed her out the door and watched her walk the 10 feet down the hall to the stairs and around the corner. Out of sight for the last time. I walked to my bedroom and crawled under my covers to cry myself to sleep.

We had been calling each other for the past few months since she left. Just about every single night and for hours at a time. On one such call, Heather told me that she would be coming back in September! One of her best friends was getting married down in North Carolina. I was to go pick her up from the airport around 9pm on a Friday night.

Friday afternoon she called me to let me know that her first flight was delayed due to some mechanical problems with the landing gear. She was going to miss her connecting flight and then not be able to make it in until close to midnight. All the same I was excited to go pick her up. And slightly nervous at the same time. Was she still going to be the same? Kind of a strange thought; but all the same I haven’t seen her in three months’ time. A lot could have happened. Maybe Seattle changed her.

Not at all.

I saw her holding her bag looking around the area for me. I didn’t see her come riding down the escalator that all the other people were riding.

She was the same girl I remember saying goodbye too in the hall way.  The car ride back started out a little awkward, I was beside myself at having her here sitting with me. Actually physically present and not just a voice on the phone.

We got back to my apartment at close to 1 or 2. We were meant to get up at 6 that morning to arrive in North Carolina in time for the wedding. It wasn’t happening. Sleep wasn’t coming. By 6 that morning we decided that we weren’t going to be able to safely drive to North Carolina. We were awake for another few hours until around 8 or 9 when we finally fell asleep and woke back up around noon.

We had the whole weekend together. It was much more of the same. We picked up right where we left off. Having a good time around town. Eating out together. Making dinners together. Going on evening walks together. Having an all around good time.

It was this weekend that we shared our first kiss.

It was this weekend that I felt love towards Heather, though I didn’t know it at the time.

It was this weekend that I knew I didn’t want to let her go.

It was this weekend that I decided I would prepare to move to Seattle as soon as possible.

Then Monday morning came. It was time to come back down from cloud nine. We were able to share one last breakfast together.

Heather made a bowl of oatmeal for each of us. I enjoy my oatmeal more on the mushy side while she likes hers like granola. When I asked for oatmeal that was not as dry; well I got a bowl of damp granola. I didn’t care. All my focus was on soaking up the last moments together.

We also shared a small package of raspberries. Raspberries perfectly suited the emotion of the morning; bitter and sweet. I have found this girl who care about very much and now she is going away. The very last raspberry was finished and the clock was ticking; I had to get to work. I wanted nothing more than to keep her there. But again I had to let her go.

I got up from my seat on the floor next to Heather. Well I guess this is it. I’m going to miss you. It wasn’t fair. I was trying to hold back my sadness but my eyes still watered just the same. This time however there was more certainty about our future together. I knew that I would see Heather again and that this was a relationship I was not going to let slip through my fingers.

In November, two months, later I had it all set up. I called up and found that I was only obligated to stay through the end of the harvest season, which would be up to the week before Christmas. This would work out perfectly. I would spend Christmas with my family and then make the trek westward.

I picked up my phone and called her, “Heather I have some good news to share with you… I am going to be moving to Seattle in January….”

I drove the ~2500 miles from Ohio to Seattle in 5 days. I arrived in Seattle in front of the apartment that is now our current home on Friday night. Though to be truthful wherever Heather is, I am home.

We spent a year and several months getting to know each other. I knew that she was the woman I wanted to share my life with. She was open, honest and caring. Working with me for the better.

I began my search for a ring at the end of July 2013. I spent several hours researching what I should be looking for while Heather was out on her Saturday morning errands. I wanted to make sure I got a ring that she would enjoy wearing. Yes the ring would have been from me and she would have worn it no matter what I got, I want to make sure she found it pleasing to wear in its own right.

I went to a couple antique and estate jewelry stores downtown, knowing what style Heather liked. The selection they had wasn’t all that great just a few pieces here and there. Nothing really jumped out at me. I kept some business cards with the idea to come check back in a few weeks to see what the stock was then. I happily walked my way over to Heather’s office where we met up and went back home.

Some time that following week, I left work an hour or so early so I could drive myself to the mall. There was a store there that specializes in antique jewelry. I walked in and they were very accommodating and helpful. I rattled off a few requirements and they showed me 4-5 rings that met my specification. I spent a good 15 minutes looking and trying to decide which one to get. This is a ring that Heather is going to where for the rest of our lives, lots of pressure. I narrowed the choice down to 2 fairly easily. It was the last two that was the most difficult. They were both similar in their intricate detail and style. The one I picked just felt… right.

It wasn’t until two months later one September evening that I proposed to Heather. I had initially planned to wait for a grey day (our favorite) but, I couldn’t stand waiting any longer. It would have been nearly exactly 2 years after her visit back in PA.

From that one conversation in Nebraska that set in motion a grand chain of events I could not have imagined, I have my lovely fiancée, Heather. From that one conversation, we are getting married this spring.

We hope each and every one of you can attend. We look forward to seeing you there.

— Daniel and Heather

FORMAL INVITATION TO FOLLOW.