Katie

The first time I met Katie was December 20, 2009. I know this because a group of our mutual friends were going to see Avatar in 3D, and I save my ticket stubs. I was there, she was there, and really, that was about it. We were introduced, but didn’t have a lot of opportunity to chat.

The next time I met Katie was March 19, 2010. We were both playing in a Pathfinder game the same group of mutual friends were starting up. We… well, we didn’t get along. Some of it was that she was playing a paladin and I was playing a chaotic gnome; not knowing me, she wasn’t sure where my (intentionally) annoying character ended and where Berin began. Some of it was a misunderstand about where we each stood on an issue regarding one of our mutual friends. We just rubbed each other the wrong way.

Over time, through many game sessions and a lot of group activities with our crowd of mutual friends, we got to know each other better. We both started making the effort to get along, if for no other reason than out of respect for our mutual friends. We didn’t hate each other, but we were still no more than casual acquaintances who moved in the same circle and hung out with the same people.

We started dating by accident. It sounds strange, but it’s true. In early November we had one of our regular group movie outings, and through circumstance we were the only two that ended up able to make it. It was the first time we’d really ever had a chance to interact one-on-one, and we had a really great time. Then it happened again: another group outing, sudden illness, vehicular mishaps, and we were the only ones who showed up. Once more, we had a great time. After the event we had coffee and talked for hours, getting to know each other better and clearing up the old misunderstanding. It was starting to seem as if fate were throwing us together, so I asked her out to dinner. That went exceptionally well. We’ve been spending a lot of time together ever since.

So, yes, the rumors and speculation are true: we’re in a relationship. And yes, for all the fuss about not wanting to ever date a redhead again due the rotten luck I’ve had, she’s a redhead. The loophole I’ve found is that previous redheads in my life had brown eyes; Katie’s eyes are dazzling blue. She’s an artist, an elementary school teacher, a tabletop roleplaying gamer, and absolutely drop dead gorgeous. I’m incredibly lucky, incredibly blessed, and incredibly grateful to have her in my life.