If you grew up in Levittown, Croydon or Bristol... chances are at some point in your life, you’ve eaten at Georgine’s. And for most people, this place is nothing more than a sort of expensive, middle class version of a “fancy” restaurant that your family ate at once a month or once every few months. But for me, this is the place I met my best friend and future wife. In the strangest of circumstances.

I was 16. It was my good friend Kara (who I was CRUSHING on at the time, cringe to even type hahaha) sweet 16th birthday party. I had just finished playing a baseball game and I was tired. I was cranky. We probably lost. Knowing that team we probably lost something like 17-2. And all I wanted to do was go home and sulk. But my parents said “Tyler, you can’t live in your room forever. You gotta go the party. You'll see your friends, that will cheer you up”. So, I showered. Got dressed. Got into the car and got chauffeured by my dad to Georgine's, where upstairs, a sweet 16 was underway.

I went upstairs, and there she was. All 5 foot 6, 110 pounds of her. I had loosely known her, through Facebook and text conversations (usually ones where she was trying to hook me up with Kara. Again, cringe to type out) But I had never SEEN her before. This is a fully grown woman I’m talking about here. I’m a measly 10th grader, but this, this is a JUNIOR. holy smokes, I cant go talk to her she’s old enough to be my MOTHER for crying out loud. But good lord, there she was. Miranda Wells. Live in living color. And I knew I HAD to talk to her. So, after a few obligatory handshakes and bro hugs and awkward pubescent hellos to my friend’s parents, I made the move. I recruited the help of a guy from the opposing team who creamed us earlier in the day who just so happened to be at the party. I said “hey nick, wanna go find some BABES to dance with?!" OKAY, ill stop there. I wasn't that forward or cool at the age of 16. I probably said something more like “nick, I wanna dance with that girl over there” and he, out of the kindness of his heart, could clearly see that I was scared out of my mind to approach Miranda alone. So, he came with me. I walked up to Miranda who was standing with her friend robin and said, “d-d-do you wa-a-nna maybe, I dunno, d-d-dance with me?” She immediately began cracking up, and i thought to myself “oh hell yeah she thinks I’m funny!” But then she said something, that to this day I will never forget... she said “No!” But at this point, nick had already convinced robin to dance. So now nick and robin are dancing, and I’m standing next to Miranda, depressed, embarrassed, and a little sweaty. I think we just got done doing the cotton eyed joe prior to this. So, as I begin to accept defeat, something miraculous and inexplicable happens. Miranda starts dancing, “near” me. I won’t say grinding. This is a family friendly story. But she did dance, near my body. Got that? Perverts? Read between the lines. There we were. Dancing. After I had been told no. I took a shot, I missed, but somehow I got the result I wanted.

Fast forward to the end of the night. My chauffeur aka dad picks me up and he asks me how was my night. I must've said a million different ways “Miranda DANCED with me. Are you listening dad? Another human, a GIRL... DANCED with me!” The whole ride home. But... in my heart, I knew that she only danced with me to appease me and to keep robin from feeling awkward for dancing with nick, so she just danced with me to ultimately make me go away. But the next day, I get a text. “Hey ;)”. I said, um.. who is this? I get a text that says something to the effect of “oh you don't have my number saved? This is Miranda!”

And the rest is history. Almost 10 years later and I'm marrying my best friend. This is a modern day love story. It’s not exciting, it’s not dramatic, it’s not made for hallmark, but it’s our story.

Too long didn't read? No problem, ill sum it up... Spoiler: we get married in the end.

P.s. I’m sorry for stepping on your feet! I was clumsy at 16! And in my defense, maybe you shouldn't have been dancing “that” close to me in the first place. ;)

Photos