From his perspective...

My Side of the Story: Our Meeting by Josh A long awaited addition to this blog is my side of the story of how Jenn and I met has been long awaited by the frequent readers of this blog, especially Jenn herself. As this is the case (and I being a huge fan of pandering to my adoring public) I will try to deserve the hype this work has been given. It was a boring work day at the warehouse store chain I work at, the chain is owned by the world's-largest-retailer-who-must-not-be-named, and I, being unchallenged by the daily tasks of my job, went in search of a good friend of mine who happened to be the manager of the one hour photo lab. Upon finding my friend, I noticed she was engaged in conversation with a ravishing young woman. Her hair black as the raven night, white as the purest alabaster; indeed, the young woman was a sight to behold. They broke their conversation momentarily to quickly turn to me and silently acknowledge my presence, but I, seldom at a loss for words, found myself utterly speechless, entranced by her glimmering green eyes. It was as if I were struck by lightning at that moment, no offense to those who have suffered what I believe is the unimaginable pain of being struck by lightning or otherwise exposed to high voltage my intention was merely to equate the suddenness of my speechlessness. After she had left and my friend was free to speak to me, I learned all that could about her. It was then and there that I vowed that she'd be mine. Forever. Of course, I hadn't actually formally met her yet and judging by my lack of articulation, she probably thought I was a mute with a staring problem. Undaunted, it was at that moment that I renewed my vow that she would be mine. Forever. For the sake of dramatization lets say: the next day, I was upstairs finding work to do on the computer, as I had explained before I had become displeased with the monotony of my daily tasks, when my friend, the photo lab manager, came into the room. Naturally, the conversation shifted to discussing the fair maiden from the privious day. When after several minutes of conversation, the damsel emerged through the door, clad in the pure white lab coat which is the mark of a photo developing professional. My heart yearned with the secret yearning that only comes from seeing the one who makes your heart swoon with the swooning of a flock of Swoons, a Swoon being a fictional bird that I have just made up for the sake of more colorfully portraying my feelings (c)2008. I summoned every ounce of strength within every fiber of being and expressed the true feelings of my heart: "Hi, I'm Josh," I introduced extending my hand in the traditional manner of my culture. She took my hand in kind, "I'm Jennifer," she replied, as choirs of angels burst into song, doves and Swoons took flight at the very sound of those words. She has a name, I silently rejoiced, she has a name!! Of course, that was the extent of our interaction that day, but I would come back the next day after school, in hopes that she would be working and then would I ask for the date that I so greatly desired. And so I did. I returned to the warehouse store and went up to the photo counter, resolute that I would not leave without a date. I loitered about the counter, posing as if I were interested in purchasing a camera (of course I wasn't, but it was all part of my plan). I would ask Jennifer questions about her interests and hobbies, she quickly became suspicious (okay, I never said I had a "good" plan) and informed my friend, her manager, that she was going to break I followed her and she asked for my name. I was crushed. After having steeled myself to utter my moniker yesterday to have her forget so easily was demoralizing. But I rallied the troops, "I'm pretty sure I told you already, but it's Josh." I was impressed with how easily it came this time. We spent her break together, getting to know eachother a little better. We parted ways for a time, as I needed to get something at the world's-largest-retailer-who-must-not-be-named next door. We came together again at her lunch break. This was it my chance, my time. I was sweating, breathing heavy, I told her I had to go, but that I wanted to take her out on a date. She paused for a moment and said... To be continued...

From her perspective...

In late June of 2006 I went to Sam's Club in Roseville California for a job interview. I wasn't too nervous because I have worked at Sam's Club before and with my experience in the photo lab and their desperate need of employees I figured it would turn out alright. I was very confident in my black slacks and purple vertical striped blouse that complimented my figure very nicely. ( I had just moved back from Stafford Virginia. I was planning on joining the army in November, every Tuesday evening I would meet with my army recruiter and we would work out and practice army stuff.) So after my interview was finally finished I walked to the photo lab with Cheryl (my future boss) and we were wrapping up our conversation. As I was talking to her a young man came right up to us and stood there next to me. We paused and looked at him and he just stood there looking at us, like he forgot what he was going to say. So I said goodbye and walked out, forgetting the interuption. July 7th 2006 was my first day to work. Friday 8-5 was an orientation I already had. The following day they trained me as a cashier. I had Sunday and Monday off. Tuesday July 11th I was finally working in the photo lab. I got there and went right to work. Cheryl thought it was great that I didn't wait to be told what to do, I just did it. As I was working a young man was looking at the cameras. He asked me to help him when I got a chance. I smiled and said I would be glad to but I don't know a lot about cameras. I finished up what I was doing and walked over to the cameras. I tried to answer his questions all the while wondering if he was even listening. Then he seemed uninterested by the cameras so I went back to work. He leaned against the counter and asked me questions like, "what do you like to do for fun?" I told him I like to read so we started talking about books then all of my other interests. I thought he was funny, he probably thought he was sly, I humored him. Cheryl sent me to break and I walked away, aware that he was watching me. I unfastened my ponytail and shook my hair out, running my fingers through a few times. I heard him call out, "wait up!" I stopped and turned around to see him jogging to me. He walked with me through the store to the break room. I said to him "I'm Jennifer." He said "I know." I was a little confused not knowing how since this was the first time we've met. I asked him "What's your name?" "I'm pretty sure I told you but it's Josh." I didn't know what he meant thinking maybe, while he was in the lab trying to get to know me better, he told me. We sat in the break room for 15 minutes and chatted. Conversation came very easy for us. It wasn't difficult to talk to him at all. He was impressed with my desire to serve in the army. He was impressed with my desire to study International Relations and to learn Chinese. When my time was up he walked me back to the photo lab. He said he had to run next door to wal-mart but that he would be back. I smiled and said goodbye. He showed up a couple of hours later just as I was getting ready to go to lunch. He was standing in line to buy stamps at the photo lab. I walked by him and announce "I'm going to lunch." A few minutes later he met me upstairs in the break room. He seemed a little nervous but he said a few things then said I want to ask you out. He blushed around his cheeks and I thought it was sweet. I said okay and smiled my winning smile. He asked me out for that night and I regretfully declined. I told him I had plans (remember I meet with my recruiter ever Tuesday night). He was disapointed but asked for my phone number. I gave him my sisters number since I didn't have one yet. Although I did not tell him that it was my sisters phone. He left after we said goodbye. Wednesday July 12th, 2006. I was working and late afternoon Josh walked in. Cheryl asked him "What are you doing here?" He replied with "Well I was looking for a miniature golf partner, you wouldn't happen to know anyone?" I raise up both of my arms and looked from side to side. He looked at me and asked "Would you like to go with me?" I said I would. He waited for me to get off then He walked me out. My sister was standing outside Sam's Club with Chris. Jessica was here to pick me up and Chris was following on his motorcycle to help us move in a table. I asked Josh if he wanted to follow us and help us take it inside. He agreed. We got to mine and Jessica's new apartment and the guys unloaded the table and hauled it upstairs for us. I wnt in my room to change and freshen up. Jessica talked to Josh while I was getting ready. I came out with my waiste length hair down. I was wearing a purple form fitting t-shirt with a black tank top underneath and a white skirt with black flip flops. He looked pleased and so I smiled a little bigger. We loaded into his car and headed off to the miniature golf course. We had a blast. I didn't feel awkward at all. The whole evening went very smoothly. We kept up the conversation with ease. I wasn't afraid to show my personality. After a round of golf we wnt to Round Table Pizza and got a plain cheese (my favorite) and soda. I had a mountain dew. I had given up soda for a while but thought a Mt. Dew sounded refreshing so I went for it. We talked some more and we feeling very comfortable. He drove me home and walked me up to my door. He looked so sad like he didn't want it to end, he didn't make any moves so I hugged him. Then I asked him if he would like to come in. He seemed vey eager to do this. So he came in and met my other two roommates, Enkhmaa and Jenny. They talked to him for a few minutes, Jenny insisting on bringing us blankets to sit on because we had no furniture yet. So we talked and I showed him pictures of all the people I was telling him about so he could put a face with the name. Finally around 11:30pm I said I really needed to go to be, and I kicked him out. I walked him to the door and hugged him again. as I was breaking from the hug I gently kissed his cheek. He did the same to my cheek. As we pulled apart from our hug, neither one ever pulling away completely we looked into each others eyes, the energy so thick you could almost taste it, we kissed. His left hand tracing the side of my body. It was a long and breathtaking kiss. We slowly pulled away and he let out a very ragged breath. He looked blown away. I smiled and said goodnight. I walked back in and closed the door.