10 days to 10 years {Day 1}

Rowdy and I

10 years together on August 5th 

Let's celebrate with how it all began

A story told in 10 days

I saw him in the hallway.  He was cute.  Girl's gathered all around.  Brand spank'n new Returned Missionary at a very small college. 

We said hello. Eyed each other up and down. 
And I moved on.
I was taken by a boy who lived all the way across the country, after all.

A few days after the semester started I was sitting on a couch in the foyer talking to some friends.  Everyone seemed to leave, but I stayed engrossed in my book.  He sat alone in the next room over with guitar in hand.  I noticed him.  But remember, engrossed in my book;)

Suddenly he said, "I'm Aaron...what's your name again?

"Carrie," I said.
He said "Carrie"
I hesitated, "Aaron"
He said, "Carrie"
I said, "Aaron"
*The back and forth was awkward and funny at the same time*
He said, "Now you won't forget my name."

He was right. 

After a few questions on my reading material he said, "Come on over.  I need a friend."  I literally hopped on over to his couch.  I was everyone's friend.  Of course.

I was so very cute in my torn jeans, cream and orange retro sweater, and orange hat which I will always be famous for.  He wore some tan cords and a cream thermal-type shirt.  With his guitar and really big grin, he was nothing short of suave. 

We began to "jam".  We both sang while he played.  Just a friendly encounter, because doesn't everyone "jam" in college?  It was so friendly-cool. We were so hip singing and playing and looking all trendy in our cute outfits and dazzling smiles. The only thing that would have upped the experience would be if I was also a baton twirler.  Darn my quiting in 8th grade.

I was impressed with his playing and then quickly found out that he couldn't read music and instead did it all by ear.  A couple guitar lessons when he was a teenager and that was it.  I was floored.  Not only was he way-cute, but also naturally talented.  Nice mix.

Enter more singing and playing and hip-ness and lack-of baton twirling.

Then class got out.  Floods of girls entered.  They noticed him immediately and they all sat down listening to his natural guitar playing talent.

So I left.

Let's get something straight.  I wasn't ONE of the girls, you know.  Plus, I was taken, remember?

Rowdy (left) and his friend Nick early '00.

to be continued...