Where should I begin?.......

People always tell you, "Things don't always work out the way you expect them to." I would argue that things almost never work out the way you expect, and sometimes that's the best thing that could ever happen. Another cliche that we often hear is, "If you'd told me then that I would be here now, I'd have said you were crazy." I'll admit, as much as I hate to say it, that all of these statements are true for me. That's how Melissa and I met.

April, 2008
I had been working in a sales position near downtown Portland when disruptions in the work environment gave me a good reason to move on to bigger and better things. I was given the opportunity to move to Fairfield, California for a summer sales position, and although it didn't seem like something I would greatly enjoy, I felt that it was a good opportunity. I had been offered the same job the previous year (originally to the same location, but later changed to Miami, Florida), and had planned on going then. But as the time came to go, there seemed to be a never-ending onslaught of delays to my departure, until I finally decided not to go. Why did I need to get ready to leave, yet not actually go?....

When the chance to go came up again, it wasn't difficult to prepare for it. You could say that I never actually finished unpacking from the year before. I figured that since I was supposed to go the previous year (which I had felt very strongly about at the time), then I was doing the right thing this time around by actually doing it. I didn't know why I had to cancel the year before, or why it would have been better for me to go this time than the last, but that was what I felt was right.... and that's something that I've learned to trust over the years. So off to California I went for this golden opportunity!!!

The job SUCKED!!! No joke, I have never disliked any other employment I've had more, or even anywhere close to as much as I dispised this. It wasn't the people I worked with, most of whom I loved, nor the beautiful state of California either, which I definately fell in love with. It was the job. I have never felt as miserable about what I did for a living as I did then. So why was I supposed to take this job? Why was it so important that I come?

Shortly before leaving the company and heading back to Oregon, I received a "friend invitation" on facebook from a girl named Melissa Graham. I saw it, looked at the picture, and thought to myself, "Yeah, lady? You're cute, sure, but I have absolutly no idea who you are!" How did this perfect stranger find me on this website, and why would she bother? I was about to dismiss this as yet another.... "indecent invitation" that are often received online.... (fellas, you know what I'm talking about) when I read the little message she wrote to me to identify herself and how I might know her.......

About 7 years earlier, I met a girl named Doree. She and I became fast friends, and she actually became one of my best friends. Among other things, she helped me through a very difficult time. She was one of the only good influences that I had at the time, helped motivate me to rediscover my faith, and helped me get sober when I was anything but. We had at one time tried to make it more than just a friendship, but that just wasn't in the cards. Eventually, Doree went on a mission to Washington D.C. (actually northern Virginia), and while on her mission, she made numerous attempts to "fix me up" with some of her companions. I recieved a letter from one that she had hoped I would become a "pen-pal" with, a phone call from another that had recently returned home, and though I can't recall anymore specifics, there were other attempts as well. I'm glad to say that my dear friend is a terrible match-maker, or so I thought....

Who was this Melissa Graham? She explained it in one sentence: "I'm a friend of Doree's." AH HA!!!! I thought to myself, "I'll bet anything she just got home from a mission in Virginia!" Guess what?.... BINGO!!!!! I always hate it when someone tries to set me up with a blind date, especially when Doree did it, but against better judgement, I made her a facebook friend and didn't pay any attention to it.

The next week, I got fired. (Laid off is more accurate. We just had too many people, and I wasn't the first or the last to have to go, but I like saying that I got fired.) During my last week in the bay, I decided to take the opportunity to get out and experience Cali while I had the chance. I saw the Jelly Belly factory, went swing dancing in Sacramento, got to know the people in my Singles Branch, and I thought, "Why don't I call up the Melonie girl, or whatever her name is. What's the worst that can happen? If she's cool, great. If she's boring, I'm leaving in 3 days anyway! What do I have to lose?" HA!!! I'm such a dummy!!

Coming soon.... "The First Date."