The Story
Drew's version
I was recruiting people for dodgeball. Really...
For about three years, I organized an adult pickup dodgeball league, at a park in Minneapolis. We used to have a website that attracted a good number of visitors, so we often had an eclectic crowd.
After a while, it became very competitive and reeked of bullies. Now, I can handle this, you should see my older brother -- mean son of a bitch (sorry, Mom). But the vibe was supposed to be *fun*.
It started to fizzle out, and my life responsibilities were increasing, so I let it die. Not, however, before one last attempt at getting people to join: random recruiting over myspace dot com.
EEWWW!!!!!
Yes. I admit it. I met her on myspace. Throw tomatoes.
Rebecca was one of the few who did *not* show up to play dodgeball, but did remain in correspondence with me. She was on the outs with her boyfriend of 4 years. That's right. I stole her.
I told - not asked - her out on Halloween night 2005, and she ended up paying for dinner because they didn't take credit.
Then I took her to an awful movie. Do yourself a favor and never watch "The Weather Man" under any circumstances.
To my amazement, she didn't slam the phone down when I called her next. We've been through some thick-and-thin since then. Sometimes you "just know", and I Just Knew. She's a huge gaming nerd who also likes to fish and generally be outside. What's not to love?
↓ Whoa she talks a lot doesn't she?!
Rebecca's version
He really was recruiting for dodgeball.
I had just gotten over a long and some what secluding relationship in March of '05. I was looking for new people and new things to do - essentially a new me. I was looking to have a good time. There was no way in creation I was going to get into another serious relationship anytime soon.
I discovered Myspace in April that year and created a profile. It didn't take long before I started to go out on fun dates; nothing was expected on either end. Then, around June, I get this weird Myspace e-mail from a guy named Drew. At first I thought it was spam. I mean, come on! Asking me to play dodgeball? What's the catch?
I politely declined the offer, giving the excuse that I was working at Valleyfair so much that I didn't have the time. But I stayed in touch when I got a very human response back. We e-mailed each other via Myspace mail for several months. I suppose we were just being cautious and not giving out real contact information. Drew very quickly became a close friend. I shared with him many of my trials and tribulations I had encountered in the past and (at the time) present. As did he. Especially when he dislocated his shoulder running around drunk in a parking ramp with some of his friends. He called me the next day after going to the ER and had a nice dose of morphine. I guess he needed to be doped up and fearless to be able to give me a call. Nevertheless, I never got the feeling that he was interested in more than just a good friendship. Hence, I never pursued him in that sense.
Then, on Halloween of '05 I got a very pissed off Myspace e-mail from him TELLING me that I was going to meet him at a restaurant in White Bear after he was finished with a long day at work. I very hastily got dressed up, and drove out to this little place. It was wonderful. We never had an awkward moment, had plenty to talk about, and the food was delicious.
With the completion of dinner, I thought to myself that dinner was nice, he was nice, but I would probably never see him again...good things just weren't in my deck of cards that year. Drew clumsily put on his coat, what with his arm in a sling and all, and we made our way to the counter to pay.
WHAT?! You don't take credit? But that's all Drew has!
So, for a nice meal and a date that I was ordered to attend, I have to foot the bill?! That's great. I teased him about it (as an Overson/Soder would) and he took it all in stride. That's when I knew that I had a keeper. He insisted on taking me to a movie to make up the whole dinner thing. I figured I needed to cut the guy a break, so I agreed to go to a movie.
Now, when I speak of a movie, one would think of an action flick, a chick flick, or a horror movie. Something that wouldn't step on anyone's toes so-to-speak. NOT. We saw "The Weather Man." Definitely not a first date movie. In fact, I don't recommend the movie to anyone in any situation...EVER!
From that night forward, we've been pretty much inseparable. Remember, my comment earlier about not getting into a relationship...Drew was the exception. He proved me wrong, which he likes to do from time to time.
Every relationship has its ups and downs, but I think that we've been through some stuff that most marriages haven't been tested with. But here we are, more in love than ever, and still dealing with forces that are against us. And on 9/19/08 Drew and I will laugh in the faces of evil/danger/and everything else that super heroes go up against. Mwaahahaha!