Twenty-five years ago today I asked Pat to go to my high school Christmas dance with me. It was the smartest question I’ve ever asked anyone, anywhere.

This was taken at that dance:

Weren’t we cute?

Pat went to an all-boys high school, and I went to an all-girls school. I joined the drama club at his school because my friends said it was a great way to meet boys, he joined because he wanted to meet girls. Have to admit that worked out well for both of us!

We’d actually met the previous winter and we were both part of the big drama club social circle. Went to the same parties, sat as a group at football games and socials, etc. But of course there was some underlying high school bullshit, some of my friends didn’t like him, but I grew fonder and fonder of him. When I mentioned I might ask him to the dance I was told I would be persona non grata at certain parties. And the rebel in me was attracted to the bad-boy image.

My friend and I hosted a Halloween party and I spent as much time as I could hanging out near Pat. We’d become good friends, but I was really stalking him that night! He didn’t notice. But I knew he didn’t have a girlfriend, and I knew I needed a date for that dance!

I spent a week getting up my nerve. And found out I had competition- a senior in our group was also thinking of asking Pat to the dance (Pat and I were juniors)! So the next Tuesday, at our regular after-school drama club set crew meeting, I saw Pat sitting alone and grabbed my moment. Walked over and asked if he would go to the Christmas dance with me. He said “Sure, ok.” I don’t know which felt better, Pat saying yes, or the dirty looks I got from the senior when she realized what had happened. Heh heh heh.

We’ve had our bumps in the road, but I feel incredibly lucky to have found someone so perfect for me at such a young age. We grew up together, became adults together, created a pretty good life for ourselves together, have three wonderful sons together- and we’ve stayed best friends through it all.

Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I’ll be loving you always
As today I know I’m living but tomorrow
Could make me the past but that I mustn’t fear
For I’ll know deep in my mind
The love of me I’ve left behind
Cause I’ll be loving you always
Happy anniversary, Paddy :wowinlove: .