I met Joleen several years ago when she started working at Wells Fargo Bank. I was her fist supervisor, and right from the beginning she caught my eye. However, at that time she was in another relationship, so it wasn't meant to be.....yet.

I went on to another department in the bank, and for the next couple years we saw each other on occasion in the lunch room, or passing in the hall. It wasn't until I moved into the administrative position I'm in currently, that I started to see Joleen more often. She had been promoted to an officer, and now our jobs, and lives crossed paths again. Over the next year or so, we began to talk more and became friends. One great thing about the office where we work, is that we are all friends rather than just co-workers. We always have the opportunity to chat and get to know each other, and even go out socially after work.

As Joleen and I talked more and more, I saw a lot of things in her that we had in common. Over the next few months, I really grew to like her, and wanted to get to know her even better. Unfortunately (for me), she was still in a long term relationship. But what I noticed, was that when she now spoke of that relationship, it seemed she wasn't really happy anymore. It looked like it was quickly coming to an end.

In December 1999, our company had it's holiday parties. First, one for officers and administrative staff, and then the main party for all of the employees. At the officer party, Joleen and I began to flirt and joke a lot-- so much so that pretty much everyone else noticed the "spark" between us. At the main party the next week, I really wanted to find out what her feelings were toward me, and what was happening in her relationship...... I was sitting with some friends, feeling very shy. My friends basically told me to get off my butt and ask her to dance. Finally, I heard the DJ play a slow song, and decided this was the time. I asked Joleen to dance and WOW! There was definitely chemistry between us! It was the best dance ever......afterwards, we hung out and talked. All the time we were talking, I was actually thinking that I wanted to kiss her. I was going on vacation the next morning to NJ to spend the holidays with my family, so I wasn't going to stay too late at the party. I decided it was now time.... I thanked her for the dance and said good night-- and I kissed her. Of course for the two weeks I was back east, that was all I could think about and talk about!

When I came back to work after the New Year holiday, I was more determined than ever to find out where Joleen's current relationship stood. What I found out was, that their relationship had really been over for some time, and that she was ready to move on with her life. After getting some "hints" from Joleen's friends, I realized I shouldn't wait any longer to ask her out. I was nervous-- it had been so long since I had been on a date! But when I asked her out, she immediately said yes! She officially ended her relationship a couple days later, and we set our date for the following week.

Our first date was on January 29, 2000. I took her to Micelli's, a great Italian restaurant with singing waiters. We immediately started talking, and talking, and talking! We almost got kicked out because we were there over two hours and they needed the table! After dinner, I took her to a skit-comedy theater called "The Groundlings". It was a lot of fun and we had an incredible time. I took her home, kissed her good night and the rest, as they say, is history.......I truly have been blessed.

Here are some pictures of Joleen and I from when we were first dating......

Joleen at that famous Christmas party.....		On our way to a friend's wedding
Our first trip to Disneyland	At the train station	In front of Space Mountain
Back east with my family	Playing miniature golf	After the game
A night at home		At the family BBQ
At Vinnie's house		More BBQ
At my cousin Alison's house		Breakfast with Aunt Helen