How We Met

Here it is, our first picture together. Go ahead, laugh. Notice the awkward fist around on my shoulder as well. This was the first time Daniel and I had seen each other in person, after we had met. For those of you who don't know it, I'm going to tell the wonderful story of how we met.

I had been attending Church @ the Springs for three years and was actively involved in everything I could be. Among those things, I was in an all-girls small group led by the amazing Colleen Wade and Sarah Leppert. It all started on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9th, 2010. If you're from Ocala, you probably know all about Symphony Under the Stars... If you don't, it's a Mother's Day tradition of a symphony under the stars. Obvious, I know. Anyways, since I lived fairly close to the event at the time, my parents and I walked there. On our way there I saw a familiar van coming around the round-a-bout. When I realized it was Mrs. Sarah from Church @ the Springs, I began to wave frantically and probably jump too. When I saw her (frantically waving back), it looked like she was trying to tell me something... So, I texted her after she had passed by, asking what she was trying to say. She replied that she wasn't trying to tell me anything, but rather was explaining to her mother and sister that I was the "famous Tori Wyns from Church @ the Springs." She then sent me a text that went something like this: My sister would also like you to know that she has a hot, single son, who is smart, loves the Lord and plays music, and that they could hook me up. I replied with, "Only if he's as hilarious and stylish as me." Looking back, I'm not really sure why I said that... but whatever. Hahaha. That night, we ended up texting for a while about this mystery man. When she told me his name, I remembered exactly who he was. Daniel Ramirez. He went to Forest High School. There's pictures of him in her house. He sang that senior song. He sang at Katz Kapers and melted me right there before I even knew who he was. But the text reply was more like: Yeah, I think I know of him... Hahaha. The conversation had ended shortly after that.

The next day, I was at school on Facebook (you know, rebel) and noticed I had a new message on Facebook from someone named... Daniel. Ramirez. My heart, of course, was pounding in my chest. Yes, I know you're probably thinking... Facebook? Really? Yes. It was perfect. From then on we messaged back and forth getting to know each other. A week later, we took that picture. At David (red shirt), Rebekah, and Jonathan's play. (The other one in the picture is Daniel's older brother, Tres, who is also engaged right now!) I had so much fun, especially after at Steak n' Shake. I couldn't stop laughing at anything anyone said. I already knew, just from the little things I knew about him, that he had the potential to be the one. Though, we talked a little more after that, we stopped talking when Daniel was getting ready to move to Orlando to go to UCF. He called it off because he didn't think I liked him enough or was in for a serious relationship. (Which I didn't know at the time, I had no idea why he suddenly stopped talking to me, he feels horrible about that now. Haha.) Though we had abruptly stopped talking and for several months, I still had hope.

About four months after we had met, I had gotten a text from Daniel inviting me to another play of his cousin's, even though I had seen it the week before with his sister, Kristina, and I had homecoming that night. I turned to my best friend, Maggie, and said something like: "Oh my gosh, Maggie. Look who just texted me. WHAT?" Though I said it with attitude, I was thrilled. Maggie and I ended up leaving homecoming early and headed to Steak n' Shake. I was hoping the entire drive there that we would happen to "bump into" Daniel and David, and we did. PERFECT. Daniel says that when I walked in that night, I walked in slow motion. (He failed to mention that in the last post) About a month later, we were dating. My first real boyfriend. October 25, 2010. I never had a moment like Daniel did, when he knew I was the one... But I always tell people that I knew he was the one, before we started dating, before we started "talking" the second time, I just had this amazing feeling.

A bit lengthy, I know, but I hope you enjoyed it!
Fun fact: The day that Daniel first messaged me on Facebook, was also the day I got my nose pierced.
Special thanks goes to Sarah Leppert, the connection between it all! ;)