Missi

Michael and Missi both grew up in Forsyth County. Though they both lived in the southern part of the county, their paths did not cross until high school. Michael was four years ahead of Missi, and it was basically a fluke that they happened to meet. He was a senior, she a freshman, and somehow they managed to have the same group of friends. Though their paths bumped each other in school, neither of them made much of an impression on the other. The one memory they share that stands out above the rest, is how Michael happened to be the one to give Missi a strange nick name that stuck with her throughout her high school career - Squeak Toy. As they hung out at a communal home they fondly referred to as "The House", a mutual friend poked Missi in the side. Not realizing how ticklish she was, and is, the entire room burst into laughter as she squeaked. From the corner of the room Missi heard a voice say that she sounded like a squeak toy, and that from then on that was going to be her name. Fast forward eight years and the two happen to find one another on the internet. Oh the magic of the internet and how it connects those we thought lost. At first they did not truly remember one another. The more they spoke, though, the more they realized how alike they were and the more their memories returned to them. They discovered common interests, personality traits, and were absolutely dumbfounded at how alike their general ways of thinking were. When they recalled the Squeak Toy story and connected it to one another it was as if things were meant to be. Their paths had reunited them, and this time in a much more prominent way. It didn't take long for the two to fall in love. After all, when two people work so well together there's not much else that can happen. For their first date Missi insisted that she did not want to go anywhere expensive. She explained that it made her uncomfortable enough that he was going to spend money on her, but anything expensive would make it even worse. Despite her careful explanation, Michael completely ignored her. He picked her up from her apartment (a truly gentlemanly gesture, she thought) and refused to tell her where they were going (which nearly drove her crazy). When they pulled into the parking lot at Benihana he received the first of many disapproving Missi glares, which of course made him laugh. Out of spite she refused to order hibachi, instead getting a sushi meal that cost less than ten dollars. The meal was pleasant, and they quickly discovered that they were already in sync - often communicating without even speaking. Though it was incredibly awkward with Missi's roommates when he returned her home, Michael decided he'd still like to see her again. And for those of you wondering - no, he did not kiss her on the first date.