How We Met!
I first saw Cameron in a Sociology class we were both taking at Midwestern State University in the Spring of 2000. He sat in front of me, and my first impression was that he was a cocky know-it-all. (I wasn't too far off! LOL!) I paid little attention to him at the time since I was in a relationship and had an infant daughter I was taking care of, in addition to, my full course load and part-time job.
My "fairytale" relationship ended in April, shortly after my daughter's first birthday and I spent many mornings in the class I shared with Cameron crying to my girlfriend about how horrible my life was. And it was pretty bad, but in hindsight, not more than I could handle. (Cameron told me many years later that he used to get so annoyed with my crying in class! LOL!)
As a result of my break up, I spent more time trying to get to know people in my classes. I spent a lot of time finding new study partners, as I knew that I need to concentrate on something other than my break-up. I also knew it was more important than ever, now, that I finished my bachelor's degree, so I could provide for my daughter.
Cameron and I got together to study for a test with some people from class. He still seemed cocky and he still seemed like a know-it-all, but in a likable kind of way. He was intelligent and seemed to have a level head on his shoulders. As we went into May and finals were approaching and the semester was ending, I was developing a crush on my new study partner.
After class one day, before finals, Cameron was waiting for me at the exit, I thought for sure he was going to ask me out on a date. Ummm... NO. That is not what happened. LOL! I can laugh now, but I'm sure I was more than heartbroken then that he was waiting after class, not to ask me out on a date, but to inquire as to whether or not one of my other girlfriends had a boyfriend, and if she would be interested in possibly going out with him.
I very clearly remember thinking this was so THIRD GRADE! I was not impressed, and in my hurt and disappointment I told him that he would have to talk to her, if he wanted to go out with her. Including by giving him as little helpful tidbits about her as possible. Cameron did end up asking my friend out on a date and they went out once before she left to go for a summer abroad program in Mexico for the first half of the summer term.
I had also made friends with Cameron's roommate, Jason, in a different Sociology class during that spring semester in 2000. Jason was lighthearted and really helped keep my mind off my problems. He also, inadvertently, kept me close to Cameron. Obviously, since they lived together, they did things together, so if I saw one, I often saw the other.
Cameron asked me several times in May about my girlfriend who was studying in Mexico. I had decided if I ever did decide to date him, I needed to make sure that he was not still crushing on my friend and that my friend didn't want to date him. Who wants sloppy seconds! ;o) I started kind of being the go-between with Cameron and my friend. Unfortunately, my friend didn't really like Cameron in a boyfriend/girlfriend kind of way, so after date one, she was more or less done with him. She did a good job avoiding his calls and emails until she left for Mexico, and then while she was in Mexico she conveniently didn't have very good Internet access. I encouraged Cameron to keep in touch with my friend and to just be patient until she came back from Mexico. After all, if I thought he might be good enough for me, he would surely be a good catch for my friend.
When first summer term started in 2000 I had a Sociology classes with Cameron and Jason. Yay Me!!! We spent time studying together and getting to know one another better. Cameron was still trying to win over my girlfriend, and I had been placed firmly into the friend category. Ouch! ;o) I'm not sure at what point I shared the fact that I was a single Mom; working, going to school, and trying my best not to go crazy, but I know that if there is anything that can put you into the friend category with a guy faster than, "I have a kid," I don't know what it is.
My girlfriend returned from her summer abroad in Mexico, and she couldn't avoid Cameron any longer. I'm not sure what transpired exactly, but Cameron stopped pursuing her and started spending more time "studying" with me. And by studying I mean, spending loads of time with me in the library talking about all kinds of things, but none of them were related to our classes. I can now see that the library was a safety net for Cameron. He needed to really know me as a person and know that he would be interested in me in a long term relationship before choosing to get involved with someone who had a child.
I absolutely appreciate the time he took getting to know me and making sure that he was making the right decision for himself before taking on such a huge responsibility. Dating someone who has a child is serious, and one should not partake in it lightly. I knew before I ever dated anyone after my daughter's biological father left, that I did not want to be parading different guys in and out of her life. That is not healthy, and it was never my intention for there to be any other man in her life other that her biological father. But we all know what they say about intentions. sigh...
One day after class, during second summer term 2000, I had a flat tire. SCORE! What a great opportunity to play the damsel in distress and get Cameron to help me fix my tire. And by help me, I mean, change it for me. [I swear I did not slice my own tire intentionally! ;o)] I waited for Cameron after his class and told him my sob-story. Being the guys-guy he is, he was totally prepared to fix my flat and "saved the day." For me, his willingness to help was a sign that he was softening to a potential relationship between the two of us, but in reality he's just a really good guy that would/will help anyone who needs it.
As August came and second summer term ended and we were waiting for fall semester to start, Cameron and I started hanging out somewhere other than the library. Holy Moly! Baby steps, right?!?! We had this little thing where one of us would buy a pizza from Pappa John's and the other would rent a movie. And we took turns like that, almost nightly, for several weeks. This was the most practical "date" we could have since I had a daughter I did not want to be abandoning to go out and hang out with friends or out dating. (not that I didn't go out, but it was not my first choice)
It was, again, another great opportunity for Cameron and I to progress our relationship. Our movie "date" nights could not have screamed we're-just-friends anymore than they did! We sat on the couch next to each other in my little apartment and watched our favorite movies with each other. We talked about the movie's plots and pretended (LOL!!!) to like the others movie choice for the night.
After a few weeks of our movie nights, FINALLY!!!!, came the first kiss. It was LATE one night. We had probably watched three movies that night. We were on our last movie for the night. I looked up at him to see if he was paying attention to my movie choice that night, Biloxi Blues, and as they say, the rest is history.
I can honestly say that Cameron and I had a firm base to start our relationship on. We had really gotten to know each other as people. It's hard to believe that we meet 11 years ago. And this month, May 2011, we will have been married for T-E-N (10) years!!! I am so lucky he chose me and so grateful to God for having such a wonderful plan for me! ;o)
