RAN ORIGINALLY THURSDAY 7/30/07 | THE PIONEER PRESS

Where Did You Meet?

Want to know where my husband and I met?

At a tire shop.

No aphrodisiac is more potent than the pungent aroma of petroleum.

Rain pelted the windows that overcast May morning in 1992. Irritable, I entered the tire showroom. What sane woman would want to be stuck here? Even worse, there was no sign of civilization - meaning a mall - for miles.

Approaching the cramped waiting area, I sighed. People were packed snugger than shipping peanuts. Nor were these the chairs of a posh hotel lobby, but polymer cast-offs from a 1974 factory cafeteria. A gas chamber chair would be more comfy.

On the teensy black and white television blared a wrestling match. Squished, unable to move, I had the sinking feeling I was Gilligan, giddily anticipating a three-hour tour, when I'd end up stranded for rerun eternity.

To my left was the Professor, a tall guy in wireframe glasses. I was reading a gritty true-crime paperback. His book was penned by spiritualist Marianne Williamson and had a flowery cover. In this bizarro reversal world, I was chewing tobacco and he was filling out the Cosmo quiz.

He persisted in talking. His Chevy Beretta was getting a tune-up. I was buying tires for my Honda Civic. We discussed history and his father's service in World War II. I mentioned my favorite plane was the British Spitfire.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Girls aren't supposed to know things like that."

I bristled. The term 'girl' usually involves Heidi braids and a brownie uniform. Or one of those Hefner blondes on the E! channel.

"I'm weird," I said, adding that I worked in advertising. Eventually, he'd get the picture, see the neon flashing: "WARNING: LUNATIC AHEAD."

But he kept talking. He wasn't slick, winking at me with innuendo. He had an endearing sheepish quality. Soon, we engaged the other sardines in pleasant conversation.

Some woman, God bless her, turned the TV channel from the WWF to QVC. Before I knew it, my car was done. The Professor and I exchanged business cards.

Later, my sisters and mom laughed when I told them I met a guy at a tire shop.

Up until now, I haven't told you which one.

It was Goodyear.

And we've had many good years since.

#

Now, it's your turn. Tell me where you met your spouse, significant other or soulmate.


READER STORIES

[stories edited for length]

In 1985, after graduating from college, I took the Skokie Swift to the Howard Street station and then switched to the El to head to work. At the same time, my future husband was taking the same trains to law school. After a while, you start to recognize people. We would periodically see each other on the Swift. After a few weeks of short conversations, I began to let some Swift trains go by in hopes of seeing this cute guy. Well, as it turns out, he was doing the same for me!

CARYN & GENE


Cheryl, this past March, my husband Nolan and I have been married for 30 years. We met in March 1976. We used a dating service - back then, once you were out of college, how were you going to meet guys/gals? Back then, it was looked upon being desperate - even though it was really tough to find people to date. I often tell people that we were “fashionable before our time” - much as my mother was, because she got married at the age of 31 in 1949. When writing your column, I would add that when contemplating dating, you have to go through the losers (bloopers) before you get the good one!

NORMA


When asked by people where we met, my husband Howard and I respond, “in an alley by a garbage dumpster.” It was May of 1984, and I was moving into an apartment building in Evanston. I was directing the moving van into the alley when a very tall guy jumped out of his car and yelled, “Hey, I need to get to work and your moving van is blocking me.” I motioned for the movers to back up. He introduced himself as Howard. He lived in the garden apartment and also managed the building. Hmmm, I thought. He is in charge of the heat, so I will be nice to him. Howard was also very handy, and I was forever asking him to fix things in my place. We became fast friends, then more than friends, and then engaged by September of that year.

PATTI


Cheryl, I enjoy reading your columns and the story of how you met your husband! I loved it since I can relate to it. Earlier this year, I was numb from everything I had been through with my ex. All I wanted, was to go far away from home with my mom, and just try to get some sun and much needed R & R. Over 350 people from all over the U.S. went on this cruise. They were with the American Bop Association. Mom's dear friends Dave and Joanne were there, along with their jitterbug dance club. I learned the “East Coast Swing,” and wow, that was fun. We met some great people, laughed, danced, ate and enjoyed our times together. The weather was perfect. Funny how life goes. When I least expected it, both Tim and Bill appeared. I bonded with both of them from day one. They were friends and I was lucky - both of them liked me. They told me I had to pick one. The joke of the trip was that I was “The Bachelorette.” I was like one of the guys. I made a great wingman and a good bodyguard from some of the “stalkers.” (ha ha) We danced, drank some great martinis and wine, told stories, laughed, got some sun. Tim and Bill were not from Chicago, but from Indy. Tim and I began seeing each other on the weekends, which gave me something special to look forward to. My friends, co-workers and family were so happy for me. People asked what I really liked about Tim, and I told them: Tim knows about the little things. We're both in our thirties and don't have time for games. He is taking the time to get to know me, as I am taking time to get to know him. Tim moved here toward end of May and landed a job that makes him happy. We are now together. Sure, he is a Colts fan, but I can't hold that against him. It really is true, that when you least expect it, someone special will come into your life. Never give up. Love as if you have never been hurt. Remember, nobody is perfect. And never settle for less.

ALISHA


I met my wife while interviewing for a computer programming position. Diane, being the data entry person, conducted the interview. The company offered me the position and I accepted, thus making Diane sort of my “boss.” I understand from her parents that all she did was complain about me at first, but eventually our relationship became less and less businesslike. The office was small, so we decided to keep things a secret. You know how you never see people you know out in public except at the most inopportune times? Well, this happened all the time; stopped at a red light, in the mall, you name it. We decided to end the sneaking around by attending the company Christmas party together. I took a job at a different company and we eventually married. Twenty-six years later, I still let her think she's my "boss." The truth is, I do not know what I'd do without her.

STEVE


I was “accidentally” invited to a party. He had called for my roommate, who had moved out just weeks before, but said I should just come with her if I was available. The party was scheduled the same day that the guy I always thought I would marry was getting married. I needed to occupy my mind, so I went. I had a great time, thinking that I would never see any of these people again, so I should just have fun. I met Keith that night (it was his house) and I have seen him nearly every day since that party 17 years ago. The people I met there are now some of my best friends. I guess they are right - when you least expect it…

NANCY


Wayne, my husband, and I met in a place everyone says you can't meet a good guy, let alone, your husband - a bar. I was 18, he was 23. The first time we met, he asked me to dance. I did, and we talked a bit. Then he told me he would be right back. I thought he was very cute. After waiting awhile, I went to look for him, only to see him talking to a table of girls. I thought, “Yeah, he'll be back, all right,” and left . Well, I know we met only briefly, and I didn't even remember his name. But, for some reason, I would have dreams (literally) of seeing him again. As fate would have it, a month later, I ran into him at another dance bar. I was out on the dance floor and saw him watching me. When we made eye contact, he smiled real big and winked. I'll never forget that wink. He asked me out. After dating for three weeks, he bought me a gold watch, asking me to be his girlfriend. We went on to have a relationship for the next six years, eventually married, and have two beautiful children. We've been married now for twelve years, been together for a total of 18 years. We're very happy. He still tells me I'm beautiful.

SHERRY


We met, as many couples do, at a university. We both happened to dress as pirates for our dorm Halloween party. I thought he was an older, transfer student from another university - he had a beard, after all - but it turned out he was a freshman. We struck up a conversation at that Halloween party, and later went out on our first date on his 18th birthday. This week marks our 19th anniversary.

CATHERINE


When I was 22 and getting over a major break up, friends encouraged me to check out at the Jewish Community Center in Skokie, so I could meet someone, or at least not be lonely. When we arrived, I was all set to play and then was told: “We have enough people. You just wait to fill in when needed.” I did not feel like sitting out like an ugly duckling. I got up and walked around the gymnasium. I met some people and started talking. Then this tall, handsome man came along. I was attracted instantly. The man was my future husband. This September marks our 19th year together. When the right person comes to sweep you off your feet, anything is possible.

ANDREA