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Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You |
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We met in a photography class. I'll never forget what you wore the first day I saw you: a pair of Converse sneakers, a pair of day-old jeans, and a black T-shirt that said "Got Film?" on the front. You were the instructor. You were patient with me, though I'd never used a manual film camera before, and I knew nothing of F-stops nor shutter speeds. I liked the way you held your own camera, a Nikon. How your fingers cradled it casually, confidently...
We met at a grocery store. You smiled at the selections in my cart: zucchinis, yellow crookneck squashes, pork chops, gummi bears, and a box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. I smiled back at yours: ground turkey, tofu, nectarines, lipstick, gummi bears, and a box of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. "They're GR-R-REAT!" I quipped, just like Tony. You laughed...
We met at a local bar on a Friday night. You'd had one too many to drink, I think. You must have been intoxicated to pick me to dance with you. Later, we chilled out in the parking lot, sharing a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps fished out of a grocery bag in the back seat of your car, telling each other our life's stories. I liked the way you closed your eyes as you blew cigarette smoke out from between your lips...
We met at a corporate cocktail party in a high rise. Or I met you, rather. It was hot and noisy and I'd done enough socializing. Stepping out onto the balcony for some fresh air, I noticed you, in heels and a black dress, alone, staring at the city lights in the distance. Not wanting to disturb your solitude, I stood there for a while, drink in hand, quietly appreciating the view before heading back in. You didn't see me until two weeks later, when you showed up as the date of a friend I'd invited over to dinner. Luckily the two of you never hit it off. But we did...
We met at work. I'd see you every once in a while, walking down the hallway. We'd say hello as we passed each other. Y'know, hallway courtesy. I think we had introduced ourselves some time ago, but I'd forgotten your name. One day, for some reason that I've now forgotten, I had to go to another department to talk with someone at their desk. As I was leaving, I noticed a framed picture of you with your arms around your beagle on the desk in the adjacent cubicle. I leaned in and saw a poster of a beagle. And another poster of a beagle puppy. And yet another of three beagles. And a beagle screen saver. And two plush toy (you guessed it) beagles. It was about then that I heard your cheerful "Hi!" behind me...
We met at a truck stop outside Phoenix. I'd come in for a plate of scrambled eggs and ham. You were the waitress. I noticed your sparkling eyes, and the way soft wisps escaped a clip holding up your hair, curling over nape of your neck. I came back the next morning. And the next...
We met on a summer cruise to the Antarctic. I asked you hold my camera and take a picture of me, with a black sea dotted with countless icebergs behind me. Later on we trekked to see Emperor penguins on ice. An amazing experience! You laughed when I made that "Whooo!" sound. Yeah, we'd both seen the Smack The Penguin Game. And played it, too! Later that night, we sat down to dinner together. You sure clean up nice...
We met in an on-line chatroom at the invitation of a mutual friend. We had such a good time horsing around, pretending to be celebrities! Your Michael Jackson impersonation was so fuckin' hilarious! Made me blow soda out my nose! After our friend left to go to bed, we stayed up talking into the wee hours of the morning. I called in sick the next day, just so I could get some sleep...
We met at a coffee shop. You were having green tea and reading Frank Herbert's Dune. I said, "That's one of my favorite books!" You looked up at me and smiled. I think time stopped. I stared, my jaw dropping. I also dropped my cup of coffee and my avocado and cheese sandwich...
My love, it really isn't important how we meet. Just that we do, please. I can't wait.
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