This weekend I was home for Easter with the fam. The entirety of my family and my dad's side of the family went out for lunch, which includes only one other family of 3 and my grandmother. As we were eating lunch, a guy at another table caught my eye. It finally occured to me that I used to actually know him. In fact, we were engaged, if I remember correctly. We went to school with each other until 5th grade and he was my only friend in preschool. He used to be a history-obsessed, chubby, pushy litte boy. Turns out, puberty did him good. Shit, he's like really cute. Is that actually him? I can't believe it. Ha! I was totally engaged to that fine specimin of a human being...
After our meal, I was getting ready to leave when suddenly he appeared beside me, hand outstretched. "Hey, do you remember me? I'm Ryan."
As if to say, in case you missed it, I'm all grown up now.
I took his hand, "Yeah. Hey, Ryan, of course I know who you are."
We started talking. Apparently his summer plans are to go to Sudan for 2 weeks and then to Scottland to do research on the origins of the banjo in celtic music. His green eyes locked confidently on mine as he started to explain the history of the conflict in Sudan. I stopped him, explaining that I was really interested in this trip because I had been working with a student organization that works to stop genocide, Sudan being one of the main focuses. I asked him what he was majoring in. History. I laughed.
"You always did like history."
I'm not sure how he took this, but he responded perhaps sarcastically "Yeah, that's a good memory of me."
How is this happening? I haven't seen this guy since 5th grade when he still had cooties. Did he notice that I was blatantly stalking him all through lunch? He's cute. His eyes are kind of green. Why is this conversation not as awkward as I feel like it should be? (Note: I was having an exceedingly awkward day.) He is no longer a boy, he is a man. Maybe our preschool engagement was telling of things to come. I would love a fall wedding. Maybe in that place on the bluff -
Our conversation ended shortly thereafter as we both were being left by our families. I was flustered and interested. I couldn't tell if he was still the pushy know-it-all of a boy I used to know or if he was as interesting as he sounded. Because, honestly, if you have the intention of spending a summer studying the origins of the banjo in celtic music, then I'm intrigued. I need to know more.
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I remember my first engagement in 5th grade - it was Wayne Perry. He gave me an "emerald" ring from Cracker Jacks and I wore that every day throughout 5th grade. Wow! How fun to meet up with your first beau....I think all of us want to know more!!
ReplyDeleteKaty, this is one of those "meant to be" moments in our lives. Do you try to keep in touch or do you go on with your separate life as is? I think it might be good to pursue contact with Ryan and, of course, his beautiful green eyes. I have been in similar instances in my longer life, and many times nothing happens. It says something about this meeting and that he approached you first. I tell you, I think this is definitely one of those meant to be instances. How exciting!
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