Meetaversaray…what a fun word. I never knew what to call the anniversary date of when you met your significant other, but there it is. Today is the ninth anniversary of the day that I met the love of my life at a Boot Camp at CrossFit Thoroughbreds in Fort Myers, FL. Today, My Prince and I will be celebrating our Meetaversary and Valentine’s Day with friends on the trails at the Winter Park Ski Resort in Colorado.

Nine years ago, I was living in Cambridge Springs, PA, taking care of my grandmother. She had broken her hip a few months earlier in December of 2016; therefore, we didn’t get to travel for Christmas or go to her condo afterward. We made pierogies and had our own little Christmas Wigilia, just the two of us, until the family came up a little later to celebrate.

In February, Gram and I were sitting at home, looking out at the snow, not really going anywhere because of her hip. It was cold and miserable in the northwest Pennsylvania winter. All of a sudden, she said, “Let’s go to the condo.” I agreed and said, “Let’s go!” We packed up Ellie EOS II and headed south. Once we got the condo, I started looking for CrossFit gyms because I had just started this new workout and was obsessed. I always tried to get a WOD in before she woke, so ideally, the gym would have an early class. I found CrossFit Throughbreds. I went on Thursday and Friday at 5 am because that was the time I went to the gym in PA, which is why our paths didn’t cross until Saturday, February 11, 2017. That Saturday was the day life changed.

If you haven’t read the three-part series on How We Met, please go back and read it. It tells the story of our first meeting from my perspective, as well as My Valentine’s and our friend Eleina’s, who was the reason we met. Therefore, today is Eleina’s and my meetaversary, too!

Here is a brief snippet from each post on the day’s meeting and the link to each post:

My Perspective~ After class, the woman, who was sitting next to the man, said hi to me and asked if I was new to town. I explained I was only there for about two weeks and was taking care of my grandmother. I told them I had friends coming to town that night, so they gave me some suggestions on where to take them. The guy mentioned he had some time off from work and wanted to know if I wanted to meet him the next day and go to the beach. Because I am a Yes Woman I didn’t hesitate to say it sounded like a fabulous idea. We chatted a few more minutes and before we parted ways, Eleina, the amazing wing woman, said how can he contact you without your number. I laughed and probably rolled my eyes. In the end, we exchanged numbers and the rest is history 🙂 

From Eleina~ Back to the gym, and why I have been forever dubbed Jeff’s “Wingman”. It was February 2017, Jeff and I had made plans to go to a Saturday Boot Camp because it was designed to be a Partner Workout, so we agreed to meet and do it together.  As we were warming up as a group, Jeff was admittedly a bit distracted by an unfamiliar athletic female backside in front of us.  At the time, I had just met an amazing guy myself and wanted the same for Jeff. I actually thought he might ditch me for this very pretty lady who was visiting our gym, but he remained loyal to his commitment, and I was determined to chat with her after class.

From My Prince~ Bootcamp was at 10 am, which was perfect after a night of drinking. A little late for Stacy as she had been going to 5 am CrossFit, and I usually went to the 8 am class. I met E upon arrival, and we chatted briefly before the group warm-up started. This is where I first noticed the “new girl”. We were instructed to the wall and started with leg swings. She somehow managed to get between myself and E even though we were talking during the warm-up. CrossFit is a group class and the “community” we have prompted us to part a bit to allow her a space along the wall. As we exited from the wall to continue the warm-up, Eleina was still talking as my eyes moved towards this “new girl”. I gave E a “shhh” with a finger held in front of my lips and pointed to her with my other hand. Yes, I noticed something beautiful and intriguing that morning.

We continued to chat and I offered suggestions of things to do in Ft. Myers. Little did I know that Stacy and her family had been coming to Ft. Myers for about 15 years. But I continued rambling on thinking this was her first time here. Stacy mentioned that she had friends coming in that night and was looking forward to seeing old friends from high school. I then mentioned that I was going to the beach the next day, and I asked Stacy if she would like to join me. “How are you going to take her to the beach if you don’t have her number?”, Eleina chimed in. Stacy and I kinda stared at each other, smiled, and then we exchanged numbers.

It’s hard to believe that nine years ago, I walked into a gym minding my own business and walked out with a date to go to the beach the next day. I had no idea what would come of it, but here we are, blessed beyond our wildest dreams. Together, we are grateful for all the adventures we have had together. Even though we have lost Sweet Gram and my little sister, we have amazing friends and family who we are grateful for. Clearly, we are both Yes People, and we never stay home. Therefore, together we have enjoyed skiing at 23 ski resorts (Winter Park makes 24 for me), traveled through 37 states, and been to 16 countries. It is a non-stop adventure.

If you had told me nine years ago that I would be almost 50 and skiing anywhere, I wouldn’t have believed you. If you had told me that I would meet a guy who would make all my dreams come true, I would have said that only happens in the movies. But every day I wake up and thank God (and Gram) for bringing me to Florida, where I met this amazing man I get to share this life with. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Happy Meetaversary, My Love.