I had just finished 2 weeks of a 6 week training program. I was going to collect on past due credit accounts for a large financial company. I was single, and not looking. The next phase of our training was “on the job” so we were moving from the classroom environment to the floor and on the phones. Often during calls, I would stand and stretch my legs. On one of these stretching breaks I glanced across the servicing floor and there she was walking along the far side of the room (probably 50 yards from my desk). A beautiful woman…I was smitten. I had to know who she was, and if she was single, was she dating, engaged…so many questions…aaahhhhh!
I watched her walk into the training classroom. My plan was quickly set into motion. I knew the training manager, Margaret, and would ask her to find out the skinny on this mystery belle.
I started to peruse the service floor searching for Margaret, I had to catcher her before she went back into the training room. I saw her and flagged her down. She came over to my desk and I began to ask my questions. Who is that girl? Is she involved? What is her story? Margaret had been trying for a couple of weeks to set me up on a date, so she was rapidly on board with my quest to know more about the hot looking lady in the denim skirt. Maragraet was off…and I expected to see her again in a few hours on their next break.
Two or three minutes later, Margaret was back. Standing behind her was the mystery lady…she looked even better from closer range. Margaret said “Ray, this is Heidi. Heidi, this is Ray. Okay, Ray…it is all yours now.” And with that Margaret turned and walked back towards the training room.
I panicked.
“Uh, what is she doing…what is going on” I stammered. Heidi was much more calm, and concise “I think she is setting us up on a date” she replied with a heart melting smile. I continued to play coy “oh…uh…” Smooth right? We decided that Heidi would come out later that evening and sit by me during side-by-side training. She left my desk, and returned to training…I completed melted. I had really messed up that first impression with my stellar conversation of “ums” and “uhs”.
She kept her word and came back later that evening. The conversation went much better, and it was incredible how when we started to talk how it felt we had known each other for years. We had so much in common. I could not wait to see her again.
A few days later we went on our first date. The feeling of being long lost friends continued to flourish, and I knew in a very short time that it was much more than a fling, or infatuation. I honestly could not beleive that this attractive, fun-loving lady was not taken...but I was not going to wait around and let some other oaf step in. I was in love. Six months after our first encounter, we were married.
It has been the best 15 years. No regrets. More than gaining a wife, I gained a best friend.
Come what may, I will love you, until the end of time.