A Chance Encounter Changed My Life

Sarcasm Battle

Our story begins with a chance encounter at college. I was a Sophomore in college and decided to meet up with a friend to see his new apartment. He told me about his apartment-mates and deemed one of them as the most sarcastic of the bunch. Knowing my personality from the previous year, he challenged me to take on this unknown, smart-alec in a battle of sarcasm. I wasn't going to back down.

He invited me over one day in October to watch House M.D. until the competition arrived. I sat on the couch facing the entrance while taking mental notes of Hugh Laurie's zingers. Before the episode finished, the door opened and footsteps walked quickly to the hallway intersection. Here, the guest could choose left into the living room or right to go to the bedrooms. This individual walked right, but acknowledged us sitting on the left. When I looked up to see who had entered, I saw a handsome athlete with a backwards baseball cap, black gym shorts, a white t-shirt, and a Celtic cross. He swung his car keys on a lanyard while carrying a backpack. He said hello to his fellow co-inhabitant, but I saw him stop and do a double-take when he noticed me sitting across the room. My heart skipped a beat as I caught a glimpse of him and became nervous. I figured it was just competitive nerves as I never feel uncomfortable when meeting new people or being challenged. It wasn't long before he threw his backpack in the room and joined us. He made small talk with Vince and commented on the episode that was playing.

For the first time, I was quiet, nervous, and sat patiently waiting as I snuck looks from underneath the brim of my new sorority hat. My heart beat faster, but I couldn't figure out why. Was I nervous for my competition? Did I not feel prepared for the contest ahead? Why was this interaction so much different than the rest? I pretended to watch House M.D., but was listening more intently on the athlete's conversation. He walked towards me to introduce himself and made a flirty comment that I've been hiding. He knelt on the side of my chair and now was eye level, less than a foot away wanting to know who I am! My heart fluttered, but I still assumed it was anxiousness. He introduced himself as Joe and the world stopped when we officially made eye contact.

"Hi, I'm Elyse." We both froze for a minute just staring and feeling the world shift before us. Not knowing what it meant or what this was, Joe asked about my hat and from there, the conversation flew. Our mutual friend chimed in saying both of us are sarcasm and flirting experts. He's dying to put us both to the test, to determine who the actual winner could be. We took part in the game, spitting fire back and forth until I needed to leave for a sorority event. I said goodbye and I'll see them around... maybe.

Hey Romeo

I started walking back to my dorm and relived everything that had happened. I seemed to be floating thinking about Joe and our interaction. Who is this guy? What was that? Did he feel the same way? And why is this meeting so different? Before making it back to campus, I received a text from our shared friend saying Joe is asking a bunch of questions about me and "creeping" on my Facebook profile.

I laughed and smiled at the opportunity:

1. because that means I'm definitely winning the sarcasm battle

2. and maybe he feels something similar - whatever it may be.

I logged onto my computer later that night and sent him a Facebook message and friend request saying "Hey Romeo - I heard you were creeping on my page, you know you could have asked. Here's a chance for you to check it out :P"

​From that moment, sarcastic and flirty zingers flew back and forth. Numbers were exchanged and conversation soared. A perfect friendship bloomed. Both of us wanted to be more than just friends, but life had other plans. We spent months spending as much time as possible together - Learning about one another, picking on each other, and admiring everything of the other. We spent hundreds of late hours working on homework, listening to music, studying, or writing papers; both more distracted by sneaking glances at the other than doing actual work. We talked non-stop and shared secrets, dreams, fears, and futures. Joe even liked to surprise me then - from late night dinner deliveries and Nerf gun fights, to Usher tickets and cell phone batteries, no day was the same. He was then and still is now, the most thoughtful person I know. Everything seemed perfect! He was kind, gentle, sweet, ambitious, funny, but strong, protective, and determined. He treated me genuinely, with love and care, and always was a gentleman. What could go wrong? The answer: Life and maturity.

The truth is, neither of us were ready for the type of commitment that our hearts and souls wanted. Life got in the way and we went separate paths throughout the rest of our college careers. We texted occasionally, but as life went on, it seemed that what

we had would be left in the past and the dream of being together, would be just that - a dream. We dated other people, each time learning about ourselves and still, I searched for something more. I compared what was now to what I wanted and what I thought I had. I never found that spark the way I did in the apartment. I didn't feel butterflies in my stomach. The world didn't stop. My face didn't light up for anyone else. No one could replace or even come close to my Romeo.

Life and Maturity

Time went on and the mysteries of life after college continued. Joe started his career and I interviewed trying to find something that would stick. I scrolled LinkedIn preparing for an upcoming meeting and noticed he was working at the same company that I was interviewing for. I reached out to say hello and share the news, but wasn't expecting much of a response. Turns out he was working in NYC and I would potentially be working in their NJ location. We chatted briefly about life and continued to keep in contact as the interview process went on. Every time I ended up in NY, I would contact Joe to see how he is and if we would have the opportunity to catch up.

One scheduled interview later, timing worked out and we met up in the City. I waited at a picnic table trying to play it cool. I drew what was around me trying to calm my nerves. When he arrived, we hugged and he lead me to Local Bar. We sat down at their rooftop seated overlooking the park and streets. The conversation spewed from the both of us for hours. Joe missed meetings and I ignored my train home. All seemed right in the world again as we laughed, flirted, and joked around. We celebrated my new employment with a drink and he showed me around the area. He walked me to the train, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and said "see ya later, kid." The butterflies flapped crazily in my stomach that day and while I sat on the train, I couldn't help but smile and float when his name flashed across my phone saying "I had a great time today. Please get home safe, Juliet."

With our new careers taking off, timing was never right for either of us to start a serious relationship. Our lives continued and the desire for each other never ceased, but the reality of it seemed out of reach. Soon news broke that I would be moving to Florida. The world came crashing down again and all signs kept saying "we" would be impossible. Both of us started new, miserable, pointless relationships as we listened to what we thought the world was telling us. I tried not to think about him. Not to search for him. Not to be reminded of him. But nothing worked. I craved something more that would make my heart skip a beat the way it did when he would say "Hey Juliet," tuck hair behind my ear, or whisper the secret that he's "falling for me." It couldn't be recreated no matter how much I tried or wanted it to. My life spun in all directions as I packed everything I owned into boxes, searched for new employment in FL and NJ (just in case), and adjusted into adulthood and the "real world." The vision of us felt completely unattainable now and in 2015, I moved to Florida.

Hey Kid!

Six years after our 2010 chance encounter at college, Joe reached out saying "Hey Kid" and asked how life was since moving. I was elated seeing his name flash across my phone, but also confused since life felt like it was playing a cruel trick on me. Conversation and butterflies soared between us. We texted, called, and Face-timed daily. Both of us wanting to share everything that was going on in our lives and expressed how the other should visit. One day Joe called and asked if I would be interested in attending his best friend's wedding as his date. I immediately said yes and packed my bags. I couldn't wait to see my Prince Charming again and hoped that he was still the same person that I remembered. Years had gone by since I had last seen him and our communication was sporadic before he reached out. The two hour plane ride felt like a 100 as my nerves ricocheted and heart sped. Once my feet hit the ground I raced to the entrance and the world stopped again once I saw him standing at the bottom of the escalator. He looked exactly the same. I couldn't help but smile and throw my arms around him. I breathed him in and immediately felt at home. Our nerves didn't stop us from giggling, smiling, and talking. He was a gentleman and held doors open, carried my bags, and drove me to his house.

We teleported back to 2010 and chatted as if no time had passed. Jokes, funny faces, teasing, sarcasm, flirting, and songs filled the car as Joe showed me his hometown. We talked all day and my heart melted. From that moment, I already felt as if we were together. Our love radiated for each other as strangers asked how long we've been dating. We often questioned why we weren't until the calendar and United app reminded us of my flight home - We didn't want it to end. Instead, we focused our attention on dancing, talking, and enjoying the time we have. We discussed the past and shared how we felt and still feel. He told me that he still loves me and my heart fluttered.

He drove me to the airport where we shared a heartfelt kiss goodbye and I felt the world shake once more. I walked away with tears in my eyes (the first of many tearful airport send-offs) and settled in on the plane. I ran through how perfect everything felt and how amazing the weekend was, but reality reminded me that this probably wouldn't happen again and 1000 miles apart is an enormous feat.

Joe must have felt the same because once I landed back in Florida, the conversations didn't stop and the desire to be together never went away. The feelings we have for each other only amplified. Within a couple of weeks, Joe was on a plane to Florida. He experienced those same emotions I felt while flying except it included a 2 day weekend with family and a 4 hour drive across the state in a rental car! The moment he put his car in park, I was outside and in his arms. Everything felt perfect. He and I were home. Now he just needed to survive and gain the approval of my family.

My Prince Charming

He walked in the door and introduced himself. He was able to spark conversation with all of the crew and even get along with the dog. The next day, we all took a trip to Disney World where Joe blended with the family with ease. Jokes flew, high-fives were passed, and everything was perfect. No one has ever accomplished something like that! (Let's face it, we can be a tough crowd sometimes).

From that moment, I knew what we have is something beyond words. Joe had an early flight home so I planned on leading him to the airport on my way to work. Before leaving, we hugged and kissed goodbye, both concerned for what the future has in store. I searched for the right words to say or movie to quote, but Joe is quick (and a journalism major) and beat me to the punchline by whispering, "I love you" in my ear. I stopped, my heart racing at 300mph, I didn't want to think anymore. So I jumped. I quit thinking, planning, or preparing and instead just let me heart speak. I looked up at him and said "I love you." It was the first time I had ever said those words and had it mean something that my soul could relate to and feel its true meaning. It was the perfect goodbye as we both rocketed to Cloud 9. We kissed one last time and he walked me to my car. We both drove on autopilot, smiling from ear-to-ear. I honked as he went right to the airport and I drove left towards work. I wasn't able to focus for the rest of the day. Instead, Joe and I continued to try and solve life's biggest mystery of why we feel the way they do and how distance is a huge factor.

Long Distance

We decided long distance wasn't fair to each other, but our emotions and feelings are true. As much as it hurt to not be together in title, it hurt more that we couldn't be together in location. Our connection was so pure and real, it couldn't be anything less than serious. It pained us, but we decided it wouldn't be fair to put our lives "on hold" until distance and time was no longer a factor. Our dynamic didn't change as time went on. In fact, we remained true to each other even without the title and closed every night with a goodnight phone call. Finally, after multiple flights, phone calls, family meetings, and texts, Joe made the first change.

... And So their story begins

Just a few moments before the clock hit midnight on New Years Eve, Joe pulled me aside. He spoke of our past, present, and dreams of the future. I couldn't help but smile because everything that he said was everything we've dreamed of separately and together. He was my best friend, my partner, my sound board, my voice of reason, my co-pilot, my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, my ear to listen, my everything. He knelt down next to me so our eyes were level and said, "I know we said we wouldn't do this, but I just can't take it anymore. I want to be with you both physically in the same location and in title. We talk about being together and the way we feel, why are we holding ourselves back? Will you be my girlfriend?"

Of course, I said Yes!

From that moment, we soared into a relationship like no other and have not turned back since. On August 11th, 2018, Joe asked the biggest question of all in front of strangers and our family at the Grand Floridian. It was executed with perfection and had a Joe-like flare. He planned for months to design the most beautiful and customized ring, vacation, and proposal. When he dropped to one knee, I immediately nodded my head, wiped the tears from eyes, and finally uttered the word "Yes."

>> Proposal Story & Videos <<

Our story is different and one for the ages. It makes me believe in love, fate, and destiny. For two people who met accidentally, there was always some invisible string that connected us. Whatever you call it - serendipity, soulmates, destiny, obsession - its out there and it is something truly breathtaking.