ACCORDING TO KEITH: It was the end of summer 2011 when Keith joined Match.com. With his work smart not hard mentality he decided to come up with an introduction email that was short, sweet, and slightly witty. He emailed out recklessly. He thought the best way to find the most wonderful (willing) girl to put up with him would be based on numbers. Send out as many as possible and someone is bound to respond. This idea worked out quite well. It was a matter of days when a breathtakingly beautiful girl (victim) Responded. It only took a few email exchanges before he got her number and spoke to her over the phone. "Hi... Van? It's me Keith from Match". Other than that opening line, and a "nice chatting with you" closing, I believe the 15 minute one-sided conversation was dominated by Van. She spoke about herself quite well and unfortunately failed to ask Keith a single question or shed an inkling of interest in him. Needless to say Keith's first thought after hanging up the phone was... "I'm never going out with that girl".
After two weeks went by Keith received a text letting him know she had returned from her trip and that she would like to get together. If you are a guy, you know, when a girl is as beautiful as Van sends you a text, two weeks is more than enough time to forget about her lack of interest over a phone call. So without further adieu... They met at La Note. A small French place that changed Keith's life. A 90 minute meal and a 90 min walk around a nearby lake was all it took. Within 72 hours he had told a half-dozen family and friends... "I'm going to marry this girl". Turns out he was right (yet again).
One year later on the anniversary of their first date they enjoyed another fabulous brunch together at La Note and had dinner that night at the place they shared their first kiss. After the end of that meal Keith moved his chair next to Van and said the following:
"One year ago today, you met a guy that stood close and had way too much to say. One year ago today I met a girl I wanted to be close to, and listen to everything I had to say. One year ago today you woke up thinking you'd be meeting just for play. One year ago today was my 2011's favorite day. One year ago today who knew we'd both be sitting here today. One year ago today, I went home to say I'm going to marry this girl one day. One year ago today, I bet you had no clue that today would be that day. I love you, Will you marry me"
After 15 seconds of impersonating a "deer in headlights" Keith said, "So will you?" Van passively said, "OK". Once Keith realized Van never looked down at the diamond ring before saying ok. He knew he found the right girl.
ACCORDING TO VAN: It was the end of summer 2011 when Van joined Match.com. Van had recently ended a lengthy relationship and wanted to date" just for fun". A few weeks into her "fun" she came across a short and sweet email from Keith. After a few exchanges back and forth Van felt comfortable enough to give him her Phone number. It was made clear that the best time to call was at 6:30pm of a specific day. Keith obviously didn't pay close attention since he waited till 8:15pm to call. Van was rubbed the wrong way from the start. Since she was in it "just for fun" she brushed it off and decided to have a lengthy conversation anyway. Van was headed on a 2 week vacation the following week so who cares about this guy that can't follow a simple instruction.
Upon her return she decided, what the heck, I'll send Keith a message and see if he wants to get together (since it would be "just for fun"). So without further adieu... They met at La Note. Keith was just over two minutes late and once arriving he stood awfully close (close talker apparently). After a few smiles, a 90 minute meal and a 90 min walk around a nearby lake she knew this might be a bit more "fun" then she originally bargained for.
One year later on the anniversary of their first date they enjoyed another fabulous brunch together at La Note and had dinner that night at the place they shared their first kiss. After Keith slightly rushed Van through her meal (to keep his itinerary on schedule) Keith moved his chair next to Van and said the following:
"One year ago today, you met a guy that stood close and had way too much to say. One year ago today I met a girl I wanted to be close to, and listen to everything I had to say. One year ago today you woke up thinking you'd be meeting just for play. One year ago today was my 2011's favorite day. One year ago today who knew we'd both be sitting here today. One year ago today, I went home to say I'm going to marry this girl one day. One year ago today, I bet you had no clue that today would be that day. I love you, Will you marry me"
In sheer disbelief Van froze. Moments later the blood started flowing the eyes started watering and a whole new chapter of "just for fun" was about to begin. All she said was.. "ok"