Twelve years ago today I hosted a summer social for my company and our client. Little did I know that the love of my life worked for the client and I was going to meet him that evening.
I did not work directly with Nick but as I was sitting at the bar, pinot grigio in hand, he walked into the PQ Lounge with his boss, Lorraine. Little did either of us know that Lorraine would soon become a very close friend, even speaking at our wedding ceremony.
At first glance I was confused as I was not aware there was anyone this handsome on the client team. I shrugged it off because I would never have considered actually DATING someone from the client side. Being a woman in a male-dominated industry has its obvious challenges, so I would never consider dating a client. My God, the optics.
Let’s just say my rule was broken that night. Nick approached me at the bar. He offered to buy me a drink, I declined (savage lol) however he sat himself beside me and wouldn’t leave no matter how rude my body language was. Eventually he wore me down, and we switched to whiskey and talked and laughed until the bar, PJ's, closed.
Nick offered to share a cab which would drop me off at home. We kissed (putting it lightly 😏) and when we got to his house first he offered me to come in for a night cap. Naughty Nick. Naturally, I kicked him out of the cab and yelled “what the hell do you think this is?!” slammed the taxi door and took off home. The cab driver said he thought Nick liked me and I told him to mind his own business. I was so mad at myself for kissing Nick, and what would possibly compromise my work reputation. All of us gals know that it is never the guy who gets a hard time, he gets a high five.
I woke up feeling terrible, mad at myself for letting my guard down. My previous dating history was brutal. I swore myself off dating anyone seriously for at least a year after my most recent toxic ex. I didn't QUITE make it to the one year mark, lol!
Little did I know that Nick was going through his own internal turmoil, wanting to reach out. He wanted to email me, likely to avoid some kind of confusing confrontation on the phone 🤣 however he mustered up the nerve to call me, with the help of his colleagues Sarah and Lorraine. His fears proved true as I was pretty challenging and abrupt to make plans. I was still so mad at myself for kissing Nick the night before. But before I knew it, Nick asked me out on our first date, and the rest is history.
It's funny, Nick went to Conestoga College and I was at Laurier at the same time, both of us going to the same places and bars in Waterloo. For such a small place it's amazing we never met. We were obviously in different places and God had other plans. I am so grateful that the stars aligned the way that they did. I thank those lucky stars every day and every night.
Below are some pictures from our engagement photo shoot at PJ's. It only made sense to capture these where we first met, and continue to spend time to this day.
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