So, I guess my first time “seeing” Julia was when my roommate Ishola and I were going to go play basketball. Someone yelled Ishola’s name, and out came this group of girls from this dark entryway. For the few minutes Ishola stood there, only one of those girls shook my hand and maintained eye contact, and that was Julia.

Anyhow, fast forward to the first time we actually talked, maybe a few weeks later, Ishola decided to throw a “get together” with all the *ahem* non-Americans. Apparently, the girls that came running up to Ishola that one night were going to be there too. Later that evening my beer was empty, so I did what any normal person would do and turned to get another one out of the fridge. That’s when it happened: this random girl headbutts my elbow so hard she gets a bloody nose. And so, instead of my beer, I went to grab paper towels to prevent this girl from bleeding out in my living room. Now… I know what you’re thinking, what about my elbow? Why isn’t anyone getting me an ice pack? Both very good questions, I couldn’t straighten my arm for a week, but it was worth it. Julia and I ended up talking till she had to leave because it was past my bedtime. (Then I finally got my ice pack).

Few weeks later we were all invited to a Thanksgiving party. Ishola and I were playing pool when I noticed Julia doing homework while everyone else was having fun. I should’ve gone and gotten her, but those French people were darn good at pool, and I had to stay focused or I’d be hearing it the rest of the night. As the night went on, so did many failed attempts to get her attention. Finally, as the night was coming to an end, there were two cars taking us to campus, and Julia's was one of them. So, while my other two roommates took the first one back, I found a vacuum to make it seem like I couldn’t leave. Here I was, busy “vacuuming” the floor of this place I’ve never been to before, when Julia finally finishes what she was doing, and I ask for a ride back. The car was cold, so naturally I took the blanket from Julia’s seat and put it around my shoulders because I was “chilly.” We chatted on the way back and I walked her home, “forgetting” to give her blanket back. When I got back to my apartment, I dropped off the blanket and ran back over to Julia’s in a T-shirt so I could get her number with the intention to text her to “find a good time to return her blanket.” Yep, smooth is my middle name. It worked. Soon after, we went on a very romantic date to this fine establishment called Culver’s. Now, after a year and some change, we’re getting married.