14 years ago today Mike and I went on our very first date. For as long as we have been together this anniversary has been our most important, because this was when we fell in love. Here's our story... at least from my point of view...
During the Spring of 1995, I was working weekends at Ace Hardware in Westmont, where I lived with my Dad at the time. Ace was also 2 doors down from Mike's parent's sports photography business.
It was a rainy April Saturday, when my handsome blonde strolled in. Our eyes locked and we instantly connected. I was ringing him up, trying to make small talk and trying NOT to embarrass myself when I mentioned rain, Mike smiled and said "April showers bring May flowers." I stood there is blushing like a fool, grinning from ear to ear. He said goodbye and just like that, he was gone.
A few days later I was picking up my paycheck and chatting with my co-worker Diana. Diana told me about a blonde guy named Mike who worked a few doors down, whom she knew well because her house was behind where he worked. Diana told me how Mike had chased her down when she was running late just to ask her my name and when I worked.
So, I knew his name and he knew mine. When would I see him again?
Unbeknownst to me at the time, Mike was also working at Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox. Baseball season had officially begun and Mike was in the city selling peanuts at the games that were ultimately keeping him away from Westmont every weekend for nearly a month.
So the weekend of May 19th, 20th and 21st rolled around. I was graduating from high school. It was a Friday night and time to celebrate, after my graduation ceremony and cake with my parents, I spent the night out prowling around with my best friend Heather. We got back to my house just as the sun was coming up. I only got 3 maybe 4 hours of sleep before I had to be at work by noon.
There I was, standing at the front counter wearing my very fashionable Ace Hardware smock when Mike walked in. No make-up, 3 hours of sleep... of all days for him to come in?! This time Mike was having a dozen keys cut at the back counter. Finally after 30 agonizing minutes, he was on his way up to my register to pay. We both laughed when he was $1 short. I went to my purse to loan him the $1, he smiled and said he'd be right back.
Sure enough, he was right back to repay me AND to ask me out... in front of a line of customers! So he says "My friend Saldie's Mom is out of town would you want to come hang out with me and my friends in Homer tonight?" Without hesitation I answered "yes"! We exchanged numbers and he was gone again. An hour or so goes by, I'm still at work when Mike calls me. "Melanie, I am such an idiot, I totally forgot that Saldie and I are going to the Beastie Boys concert tonight, could we see each other tomorrow instead?" I had to laugh, obviously he was so excited to ask me out that he'd forgotten he already had plans! I said "yes" again...
Sunday I worked and then got ready for my date with Mike. He was going to pick me up at 6pm, but to my surprise we weren't going to just go hang out at Saldie's. Mike was taking me into the city!
This night feels like yesteday to me. I still remember Mike walking up to my door to pick me up, the clothes we wore and the music we listened to in the car as we drove down I-55 and onto Lakeshore Drive. Mike was taking me to his favorite pizza place, Leona's on Belmont and Sheffield. It was going to be a great night, be both could feel it.
After enjoying the most delicious thin crust pizza in Chicago we drove to the lakefront. We parked by the Adler Planetarium and walked along the lake behind the Shedd Aquarium enjoying the best view of the twinkling Chicago skyline. The sidewalks we buzzing with people everywhere. Spring had sprung and Chicago was alive! Mike and I stopped there on the break wall, taking in everything around us. Mike seized the moment and kissed me. For hours we sat there with our feet dangling over the water, enjoying the most perfect view, on the most perfect warm night, talking, telling stories, kissing and falling in love. It was magical.
Neither of us wanted the night to end so instead of taking me home Mike took me back to Homer so he could introduce me to his best friends Saldie, Don and Todd. We smoked a bowl, shared some good laughs... Don almost made me pee my pants. I knew I was in for some good times ahead.
By now it was getting late. Mike drove me back to Westmont. We sat on my driveway talking and making out till 4 in the morning. We finally forced ourselves to say goodnight, I dragged myself into my house and up to my bed and hoped that Mike would make it back home safely.
Our first date lasted 10 hours, that has to be a record!?
The next afternoon, after catching up on some well-needed sleep, I went to Ace to get my pay check and to tell Diana all about my awesome first date with Mike. We were standing there at the counter when Mike walked in! He was working that day and wanted to thank Diana for her part in getting Mike & I together. We hadn't even spoken since saying goodnight at 4am and here he was!
Mike and I walked out hand in hand...we've been inseparable ever since.
