The story of how I fell so hard, little by little, for Caleb :)

Going into the fall 2023 semester I decided I wanted to focus on school, my internship and the new job I was starting. I was wanting to work hard this semester on getting good real world experience to add to my resume as well as progressing more toward my graduation that would come in the summer of 2024. All of this meant that I had absolutely no time for dating and that was the lowest item on my priority list.

When the start of the semester rolled around I was very excited to start my busy semester. During the first class of operations management we were divided into teams with a variety of skill sets that we would be working with throughout the semester. After I was placed into a group, our professor ended up moving me from my group that was in the middle of the class to a different one on the far right hand side of the room to even out the females and males more. (Come to find out later, this made Caleb sad because my original group was right next to his :)

During the second day of class I could feel someone looking at me. This made me feel a little funky and I eventually looked over and found the culprit: Caleb. I didn't know his name at this time but I would soon find out. He kept glancing over throughout the class and by the end I knew he was going to come up and talk with me. Once we were let out for the day and one of my group members got up to leave, all I could think was "Jon(one of my group members) you're leaving me to some random guy".

After Jon got up and left, I took a deep breath and waited about 2 seconds and the guy appeared in front of my desk on his way out the door and asked me what my name was. I answered and we continued to carry on a pleasant conversation. After walking together for a a few minutes I decided to tell a little fib and said I had a "meeting" because I had no plan on going on dates this semester and was not going to get attached.

That Friday my friend and I ended up choosing to go to Costa Vida to catch up for lunch. While walking through the line ordering my food I heard my name and looked up and saw Caleb! This made me so happy that he remembered my name! Such a crazy coincidence that he worked at the place that we chose to go to lunch to!

The next class on Monday, Caleb didn't talk to me because I was talking to Jon (but unbeknownst to him, Jon is married and he still could have talked to me :)

We ended up walking together again Wednesday and it shocked me when he asked how my meeting went from last Wednesday! Even though we didn't talk long this day because I had driven to campus this day straight from the hospital(my internship) he still was able to ask for my number and with a little hesitation I gave it to him.

My plan was to tell every guy that asked: that I wasn't dating currently and was unable to give out my number- which had been successful until Caleb decided to pull up. Walking away from that encounter, I thought to myself that I wouldn't slip up again and I wouldn't give anyone else my number and wouldn't go on any dates- because I was extremely busy. I just couldn't tell him no.

He ended up asking me out for that Friday and I ended up taking a while to respond but eventually said yes because it might be a fun way to end the day. I also was working a 12 hour shift on Thursday and another on Friday, along with trying to do my homework and internship items- so I thought I had a pretty good excuse for almost saying no.

But then HE CANCELED :( But this actually didn't devastate me, I ended up being really tired after my shifts and had some homework due that night that I needed to take care of for an online class. I was going to "see" if he ever reached out again but I wasn't attached -yet- so I didn't care if he did or not- it was on him for canceling after all. I had a life that I was living that kept me busy, content and happy so if he chose to reschedule that was on him.

That monday we walked together again. He tried to get me to agree to go out with him that night to make up for it but I had a lot of homework to get done and wanted to go to FHE- because I think that its important to set up routines now that I want to keep for the rest of my life and also didn't want to miss picking apples at the orchards.

While I was studying in the Library, grinding to get some homework done, he showed up. He sat down right near me and studied. I didn't know how he found me but I just knew that I wasn't getting out of the date that evening. And I was also kind of impressed that when he saw me, he wasn't scared to come over and talk with me, or to study next to me. He didn't appear to be intimidated by me.

While we were drinking our sodas we found that we had some similarities and things in common. Our conversation flowed and it wasn't a date that was just drug out. And he didn't seem fazed when I told him that I would him at the soda shop after he asked what I preferred. (Which I LOVED that he asked if I wanted him to pick me up because it showed clear communication and I got to meet him there which would help with giving me an escape if I needed one and he wouldn't know where I lived so I could leave it at just the one date). When I got home from this date I talked with my roommate about it and I concluded that I wouldn't be opposed to going out with him again if he asked- which was HUGE- for me at this time. I was not ready to say whether I liked him or if I would date him but it was a good chill date that I enjoyed so I figured I could find time for just one more... but again I wasn't in any hurry

For the rest of the semester he had the best patience with me as I was working weekend night 12 hour shifts, doing my internship during the week with classes fit in there. He sacrificed to spend time with me and supported me in all of my dreams and ambitions- and he still does.

Throughout the months since this first date I have been shown time and time again what an amazing person Caleb is. How thoughtful, hard working, loving and devoted he truly is. He has carried me to bed when I've fallen asleep on the couch, he has delivered food to me when I forget lunch and he has hugged me after hard days and told me its going to be alright.

Every date and every day I continue to fall more in love with him and who he is. I am grateful that God brought him into my life and all of the pieces aligned for us to be in the same 9:45am operations management class :)