October 15 2006

October 15, 2006

It was our first date. I stood nervously in his dorm room looking at the art in his portfolio as he got ready for our late-night walk around the campus. (It was a casual enough proposal, a late-night walk, so that, in case I was unknowingly in the "friend zone", I could excuse it away as a non-romantic in-devour). As I skimmed my hands over the pages of art strewn across his bed, one of his suite mates walked in and began chatting away with him. Was he going to invite his friend along with us? If he did, I decided, it would mean I was in the "friend zone" for sure. But if he didn't, then perhaps, just maybe, he might be as attracted towards me as I was to him.
"Well," he said while slipping into his coat, "we are going to head out for a walk. I'll catch you later."
His friend nodded, shot me a knowing smile, and walked out of the room. He didn't invite his friend. I tried to hide the big goofy grin that threatened to expose my excitement.

The night air was abnormally warm--either that or I was too nervous to notice the chill in the air. We walked and talked for hours, skittish and bubbly in the way that people often are on a first date. It must have been obvious to anyone who walked past us. And as our walk came to an end, we looked for excuses to prolong the night together. We settled on watching a movie together in the commons room.

He sat close to me. Close enough that our shoulders were touching, even though the couch could easily sit five people. For what felt like hours, I sat there wondering if he was going to make a move. Should I be bold and put an arm on his leg? No. That might come across a little too friendly for a first date. What if I just take his hand and put his arm around my shoulders? That seems cute and innocent enough, right? But the date was still walking the perimeter of the dreaded "friend zone". One bold move could make or break the night. Just as I had settled on making my move, my twitchy hand about to reach for his, he very carefully slid his arm over my shoulder. My whole body shook with adrenaline as I tried to nonchalantly nestle into him. As my head rested on his chest, I could feel his whole body relax. He had successfully made his move. Goodbye "friend-zone".

On October 15 2006, my husband and I had our first date. Little did we know that on the exact same date, seven years later, I would almost lose my life.