true love

When I was a little girl, I did not believe in love at first sight. I did not buy into the damsel in distress and knight in shining armor scenario. I did not believe that Barbie and Ken were designed together to be a matched set. Mattel just capitalized on the sales of Barbie and created a Ken. In fact, after a 43 love affair, Barbie and Ken broke up in 2004. She had eyes for Allan, Ken's best friend. Go figure.

That's not to say I didn't believe in long lasting relationships. My parents were and still are the model of companionship, fidelity, and eternal marriage. I just had the opinion that people met, became friends, and married based on compatibility. Two people could make a loving and wonderful relationship together. But that didn't mean they were the only possible pairing. Like fancy wines and cheese, couples had options.

I lived, dated, and married by that creed and it didn't work well for me.

Until I met Dave.

I'm not going to say that choirs sang and confetti swirled around that apartment laundry room (but that description is close). I saw a good looking guy with a great smile. But later, when he and some friends played card games in my apartment, I knew I was in deep. It was past 4 a.m. and the party was winding down as Dave walked out the door and it was one of those moments when you think,

"when he leaves, it will feel like he took all of the oxygen with him and i don't think i can hold my breath that long..."

Luckily, I didn't have to wait for long. For the next months, it was as if we were surgically attached to each other. All of the anxiety and uncertainty that surrounds the concept of forever commitment melted away. Although we had only dated for months, it suddenly seemed absurd to not be married.

And suddenly, I knew that I had been wrong.

Two and years later and I still don't feel quite right when he's not near me. I still watch the clock at school and drive maybe a bit too fast to get back to him. When I see something funny, I want to tell Dave. When I hurt, I look for him.

So maybe some of us do have matches, a perfect puzzle piece fit that sets the universe right when they are put together.