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February 2013

How We First Met: Justin and Johanna

Justin and Johanna
Johanna went to Fresno State and I went to Stanford University. In summer 2007 she coordinated a camping trip for Bay Area members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which are brother and sister organizations. A lot of people went and we were basically roughing it out by a lake, playing games like Taboo and mind-twisters (like Green Glass Door....Google it, it's completely mind-numbing if you're trying to figure it out). I thought Johanna was cute but possibly out of my league and my age range. She had joined her sorority in Fall 2003 and I had in Spring 2006. Join dates can become a little cliquish and a lot of the campers were from Fall 2003 so they were very proud about that. That and Johanna had graduated college in 2005. I was only entering my junior year. Thus, I felt super young.

One night everyone was drinking and Johanna and I started talking. I get really talkative when I'm drunk and basically told her my life story. She took it all in and then I eventually passed out. Obviously the next day I was very embarassed. The trip ended and we went on our separate ways but continued to talk from time to time over gchat. I could tell she was at least partially interested in me so I asked her on a date.

She gave a weird response, saying she didn't think it was a good idea, but she still seemed interested. I figured my 'love-interest' radar was off and I backed off. We stayed in touch but both entered and exited other relationships over the next few years.

As I would learn later, Johanna was actually interested in me but hesitant because of my age. I like to joke and tell people she jumped on the chance as soon as I graduated, but of course she remembers it differently.

Fast forward two years. I've graduated. Summer 2009. I'm back in the Bay Area for an event. Johanna and I argue over who actually asked who out. We agree to meet up to 'catch up.' We talk a little over the phone leading up to the day and soon it feels more and more like this will be a date. I nervously consult my best friend for advice. I plan to a day at a museum in SF, but the morning of I find out they are (surprised!) closed on Sundays. I scramble for a new plan and end up changing it to the zoo. I feared Johanna would be annoyed with the last minute change, but she was totally cool about it.

She picked me up from the Bart station (I was staying on Stanford's campus) and we had a really good time. There was an awkward moment when she asked if I wanted to drive and I said no. Despite not wanting to, I confessed I had yet to get my license, instead of letting her think I was just rude.

The day went off without a hitch, and we've been together ever since. We just celebrated our first wedding anniversary. And yes, I do drive!

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