you know where I come from...

Exactly three years ago, August 3... I was single, living alone in my apartment renting 2-4 movies a day. I had become slightly agoraphobic and commited to a life of solitude. I had sworn off the notion that any interesting men were left to be found here in shallow L.A. (I would comb the aisles of the grocery store and purchase pizzas for one.)
My pal called me around 11p.m. and asked if I could go to a local bar with her where she was to meet some guy from the internet. She was convinced he was probably short and dull and needed me as a good exit. At first I declined, but then she said..."if you come we can cross the street after and buy fashion magazines and I'll buy us food."
Sold.
(I would choose leafing through fashion magazines over just about anything)

So off we went, I wore no makeup and a lame outfit. I wanted to blend in and not stand out. Her meeting went just as she predicted, he was short and not her type. He was however kind and offered to buy us drinks. We fled the scene around 1:45 and decided to grab some food. We passed the Brite Spot which was closed, and turned left onto Echo PArk. As we turned down Montana, we passed three sharp dressed gentlemen. I said "they seem sort of cute, maybe be should go back and give them a flyer to my art show". My pal said "really??" thinking that this brave action was unlike me. For the record it was a new moon on Monday. That's right a Monday. We slowly backed the car up and entire block, as the men retreated suspiciously. She rolled down her window and said , "my friend is having an art show this weekend you should come"
The cute guy with the dark curly hair said, "WOW! Telemarketers at this time of night!?"
My pal said "Where are you coming from?" and he said "we were just at some bar called the Little Joy, it really lives up to its name".
He then asked where we were headed. She replied "to go and eat".
He then turned to his pals and said, "what do we have at home to eat?"
The other guy replied..."uh...olives....and uh eggs...?"
The cute one mumbled- "ok Pull over and park and come to my place and we will make you food"
I would've probably said no way. But my friend parked.
The house was neat, had a cool piano and a bamboo bar. Very "over 30" vibe. I asked to use the bathroom (in order to check out my appearance). The cute one said "let me go check it first..." I followed and watched him attempt to organize the clutter and mildew towels. He turned and said ,"is this ok?"
To which I replied it was fine. But he lingered in an odd way.
So I said,, "well there's not a camera in here or anything taping me or something?"
And he quickly retorted, "No, but there is a sketch artist"
I knew from that moment on that he was perfect for me.

Sort of in that same way Yoko knew about John the first time he asked to put an imaginary nail in her canvas.
Anyway.
The table conversations lasted for hours and hours. Drinks and snacks devoured. Sometime during talking he took out a permanant marker and wrote in giant letters across my arm his name and number and "good looking guy" under his email address. IT covered my entire arm. I noticed at some point a movie on his desk. I commented on how I had just rented that movie. The room fell silent and his friend asked "what did you think of that movie?" I said I loved it. The cute guy then persisted..."What did you REALLY think about that movie?" To which I asked , "why didn't you like it?" I went on and on about what I enjoyed about the movie. He got up and one point and disappeared. My friend thought that maybe they were too good to be true and that they were gay and pulling our leg. IT was around 5 a.m. and she said we should go. I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to him and told his friends to say bye for me.
We got to the car and I kept thinking how much I really liked him.
When I got home around 5:30, there was a message on my machine.
IT went something like this...
"You know where I come from, when people give you drinks and snacks you say thank you...if not GOOD NIGHT. Why didn't you even say goodbye? Well, if you get home in the next two hours or the next two weeks you should call me"

So I did. At almost 5:45 a.m.
He answered and simply said "I knew you'd call". He asked why we left so hastily. We talked for two hours and well into the sun rise.
The next day he came by the shop and gave me a copy of the movie that was on his desktop. It was written and directed by him, and said Best Wishes.
It's been 3 years since that night.

The bar has been raised.

Comments

[ds]

i love you guys,

[danielle]

I remember the night you called me and gave me this exact lowdown----can't believe it's been three years!!!

[christine rose elle]

GREAT story!! I held out for the right one too! You guys look so happy and cute together!
Heres to endless years of joy!!
xoxo
CRE

[coalb]

Oh my gosh this is so beautiful! This is the most bestest most lovely most tearfully wonderful thing and I don't even know you two. I played shows with alessi here in Northern California, and that's how I found this heavenly blog. Thank you for inspiring, and for being (and staying!) in love. Isn't it the world in gold when you have finally found the ONE and you can get ON WITH BUSINESS and quit floundering over the tropics and melancholy of being a man-seeker? Thank God for the right oneS. Now I can truly do my art! Summer stars and wild love to you!- adrienne

[Orchide]

Oh my has it really been 3 years?
Wowza and happy anniversary of course to one o my favorite couples;)
Love the photo montage too- too sweet- y'all really do make such a striking couple!
ps- hope the opening was fun tonight- Matt & I went on a last minute 4 mile evening hike to Eaton Canyon waterfall then hit up Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock for old school pizza n chianti & somehow didn't get back til 11...see ya tomorrow I hope!
We had such a good time we are gonna do another hike tomorrow too.

[ashley miller]

that's the best love story i've heard in a very long time. how very lucky, that it is yours to tell!

[Miss. J.]

When you lovecats come to old Manahatta, we should go on a double date! Love to you and magical Los Angeles . . . the land where all smart girls can find the true love movie geek of their dreams : )

[ashley churchill]

awwwww...you're making me miss my mr. p! what an awesome story to tell the grandkids.

[lost teeth]

oh what a beautiful story! thanks for sharing, this honestly gives me hope.

xo!

[erin]

that's the best first meeting story ever!!!!

[Millie]

I freaking love you guys!You're perfect - you've made me go all gooey inside my tummy! Thanks for sharing your story x x

[a.]

i agree, when you're in love with the right person it's much easier to focus on other, more important things.

this gives me hope.

[kime]

these are the most comments I think I've ever had- haha