That's one of my favorite pictures that Josh and I took when we first started dating.
Tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of us meeting on an airplane out of Atlanta, Georgia (and though most of you have heard this story before, someone recently asked about how we met...and I never pass up a chance to tell that story).
He was in Atlanta for a fraternity meeting (not a partying fraternity, but a smart, geeky fraternity - the kind where you don't live together - which Josh is quick to point out whenever he mentions being in a fraternity).
I was there for the Crafts & Hobby Association trade show and had just had a conversation the night before with Karen Burniston about how I was never going to date again (it had been about 3 1/2 years since I had been on a single date...and obviously that date didn't go so well).
I had tried to reschedule my flight, but the airlines couldn't get me on another flight.
When I got to the airport, I ran into my ex-husband's sisters (who are also from Oregon). We talked for so long that I was was late boarding my plane.
When I got to my seat, someone was sound asleep in it (and even though I really, really, really wanted that window seat which I had specifically requested so I could take a nap, I couldn't bring myself to wake them up so I sat in a different seat instead).
I sat down next to Josh Downs.
About 30 seconds into the flight, he asked me what I was doing in Atlanta. 4 1/2 hours later, we were still talking.
I called my best friend in the whole wide world (Jill) as soon as I got off the flight and told her that I had just met the coolest guy ever. She immediately asked "So are you going to marry him?" and I said "I'm totally going to marry him." (we have that kind of sense of humor).
He emailed me that night and sent me a picture of him and Courtney Lee feeding ducks at the park. It was the day before Valentines day so he closed his email with "Happy Valentines Day" (and so I called Jill and said "He wrote Happy Valentines Day in his email!" to which she responded "He totally wants to marry you").
And he has referred to me as 'Valentine' ever since.
So we emailed eachother a lot.
The first quote he ever sent me was from Harriet Beecher Stowe; When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
And I have referred to him as Harriet ever since.
He also sent a quote that said Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy, which is disputably from Ben Franklin...but that one didn't feel quite as meaningful.
A few weeks later, we went on our first date (he is from Oregon too and was living just a couple hours north of me).
And one year to the day that we met on that airplane (please don't do the math on this one because it doesn't make me look very good)...Annaliesa Belle Downs was born.
February 13th (tomorrow).
What a fantastic love story! Absolutely ADORABLE!!
Posted by: G | September 15, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Have you ever heard the song "Meant To Be" by Sammy Kershaw?
Your adorable story reminds me of my own "love story" and this song is PERFECT! Especially since your flight was out of Atlanta! :)
Posted by: Misty | February 13, 2010 at 12:23 PM
This is the sweetest story-Happy birthday to Annie, and Happy Valentines Day to you.
Posted by: Chris P | February 13, 2010 at 04:49 PM
I have enjoyed reading your blogs for almost a year now, thank you for sharing! A wonderful love story! Gives me hope for love & happiness.
Posted by: Alice | February 16, 2010 at 06:15 PM
I happened to hop on your blog today from a link of my friends, and havent stopped reading :) you have such warmth and heart. Peace be with you!
Posted by: Meg | May 26, 2010 at 01:20 PM