How we came to be:
Katie's journal entry on November 16, 2008: How we met!
"A lot has gone on this past week and I'm really happy about it! I met Ryan through a guy I dated last year and found out he was from Arizona. We knew OF each other, but didn't KNOW each other all that well. At one point, my spanish teacher from high school in Arizona had came to Portland to visit her daughter. But, she stopped at the University of Portland to visit me. Her daughter had attended UP and my spanish teacher knew that I attended UP. She had been having trouble finding me because the school wouldn't tell her where I lived (due to security reasons). She was in the bookstore, almost ready to give-up when she ran into Ryan. She asked him if he knew me!! And he told her "Yes!". About 15 minutes later, I coincidentally passed Ryan by the library (it's a small campus), and he told me he had just met one of my high school teachers in the bookstore and that she was asking for me! So, I ran to the bookstore and caught her just in time!!
End story.
Now, this past Saturday - it was my friends' 21st birthday. She's an engineer. And Ryan is an engineer. So, she invited him to come along to celebrate. I ended up sitting next to him at dinner. We talked the entire time - while including our table also. It wasn't just us two talking. But, some interesting topics came up - especially about the complications between girls and guys. How guys deal with things, do they think before they act, why do girls always do this, etc?? We had a glorious conversation at dinner about all this with about 6 different people. So, I kind of have an idea now of what kind of guy Ryan is when it comes to dating. :D
Later that night, we went back to Kelly's (the one who turned 21) and we played games at her place. When it turned midnight, the 21ers went off to the T-room (a local bar). I was stupid - and I forgot my ID. And called my wonderful roommate, Sarah, to bring my ID! Hahhaha. I made a fool of myself starting off. So, it was only me, Maryanne, Kelly, our RA, and Ryan who went. It was a good night. And well, I found - that Ryan and I compliment each other very well! We were laughing and joking and having a great time!
So, then came Thursday. Maryanne, Kelly and I had planned to go to the T-room that Thursday anyways because it's the thing to do on a Thursday night with the Portland crowd. THIRSTY THURSDAY. So, it was decided! We had invited Ryan the night it was Kelly's birthday! And mind you - after that night, Ryan and I talked a lot over Facebook and we were getting each other all stoked about Thursday's T-room adventure. Hahah. So, I think we both knew that we were interested in each other.
But, Thursday came around and I was nervous. But, I wore this HOT dress that I had gotten the previous weekend! Hahha. Maryanne made me wear it. And Sarah provided the accessories! I felt over dressed. But, they said it looked good. So, I relented and we headed over to Kelly's house. After getting to her house, we walked the 12 minutes to the T-room. And this time, I didn't forget my ID! ... and Ryan made sure of that! :D
We talked a TON at the bar - and we even danced some! He makes me laugh so much!! He definitely has a sense of humor and I like that about him! I don't think I've ever dated a guy that has made me laugh so much. He also has a great personality! He's nice, polite, smart, involved, determined, and respectful. I think we get along well because we both have positive outlooks on life.
At the T-room, we talked, drank, and danced!! It was sooo much fun! I also made a fool of myself a billion times. At one point, I was sitting in the booth and he was next to me. I pointed out this room where I see people playing pool and arcade games. And I ask, "What is that room?". And he said, "What room?" And I'm like "There"!! He paused and said ... "You mean that mirror"? Hahhahha ... oh God. I was sooo embarrassed, but I laughed it off! I was sooo stupid! And then on the way out of the bar, I noticed I had toilet paper stuck to my shoe. Yeah - I did. So, I was said, "Oh! This is embarrassing! I have toilet paper stuck to my shoe!" And he laughed at me and later told me that he laughed because he thought that only happened in the movies. To which I responded, "Well, I'm glad I had a Hollywood moment, then!!!".
On the way back -from the T-room, Ryan put his arm around my shoulder. He mentioned that we should J-walk and I told him that it's legal in Oregon to J-walk! He got all excited (he's from AZ if you didn't know and he went to Brophy)! So, as we were crossing the street back to Haggerty (my dorm), Maryanne said, "We'll go the legal way". The white walk guy was on and she started walking that way. And Ryan was like, "RUNNN!" And he still had his arm around me and he starts going diagnonally across the intersection and we're running across the street with him still screaming "RUNNN"! It was sooo funny. Cause there were no cars at all. But, he made such a big deal about it! Hahah. And then once we got back to Haggerty, Maryanne told us she'd walk Kelly back to her place, leaving Ryan and I alone.
So, we're talking and laughing and having a good time. And he has his arms around me and he says, "So, I know I have alcohol in me right now; so, I can ask again tomorrow. But, would you like to go out on a date with me?" And I said, "Sure!!" All smiles. And then he said, "It's not going to be a T-room date. And I know that you want to pay, but I'm going to pay this time" (We had discussed this topic over dinner at Kelly's birthday). He told me he'd figure out a nice place to go and that it would have to be next weekend because he worked all this coming weekend. I told him it was fine and that I could wait a week! So, we're still talking and laughing. And about ten minutes goes by. So, I tell him we can just knock on my house door because Maryanne has the key and we don't know where she is. Ryan walks me to the door and I knock and knock. And my roommate, Sarah, finally answers (she probably was sleeping). Then we hear Maryanne come running across the street and is like, "Katie, Katie, Katie!!!" Hahha.
Ryan came in for a bit and then he left after about ten minutes because he had to get up for class in about 5 hours. So, I tell the girls about Ryan asking me out on a date and they went balistic! Hahhaha. It was hilarious!
Now we've just been talking through facebook and texting kind of. But, we're learning a lot about each other! And we have a lot of similarities. I was telling Maryanne and Sarah that I can actually be myself with Ryan. With him, I'm laughing nd having a good time. I'm not afraid of what he thinks of me. So, it's a good feeling. I like it. I'll definitely have to let you all know how the date goes!!!"
The rest is history! :)
