The story (at least the beginning of it)

I met Andreas at a party last August. Haven't you always wanted to say that? That you met the love of your life at a party? That you saw them across the room and just knew? That you just clicked right away? That wasn't the way it was for us. Yes we met at a party but it happened to be a party at the house of another guy - a guy that I had been totally crushing on for quite some time. According to Andreas I kinda dismissed him that night. I don't remember it the same way but there is probably some truth to that. He had just moved to Oslo the day before to do one semester of his masters program (the remaining two semesters to be done in Australia but I'm getting ahead of myself). I remember thinking he was cute and being impressed that he just came up and talked to me out of the blue. According to him he thought I looked adorable in my fashion forward wrap dress and rain boot combination. I had just come from work and in my defense, although the skies were clear at the time, it had been raining when I left my house early that morning.

Fast forward a week. Even though we met at a party we also happened to be in the same ward and frequent the same institute center. He moved to Oslo on a Thursday, hence the pre-church introduction. So I saw him several times in the next week at church, FHE, and other unofficial YSA activities. The picture above was taken at a fancy group bowling night. That kinda sealed the deal for me in fact. I remember coming home, downloading my photos, and looking at that specific picture and thinking "Why am I not with him?" He was ridiculous handsome, smart, made me laugh and always managed to one up my sarcastic remarks. I was smitten. But I couldn't figure him out. I've never been very good at reading men and Andreas was no exception. Was he interested in me? Really? So after much wringing of hands and other anxiety-related activities I decided to act my age and just go for it. What did I have to lose? He was supposed to move to Australia in a few months. So that Friday night after institute I managed to give him my number. I was actually quite proud of myself. I'd never done that before, at least not without being asked for it first. He acted all cool and nonchalant about it so I kinda felt like an idiot and kicked myself all the way home. The next day he asked if I wanted to go hang out at the beach for the afternoon so apparently it wasn't such a bad move afterall. And that, my friends, was the beginning.