How Leo and I Came to Be (Part 2)

Before I finish the story, I just want to say that I hesitated before writing and posting this topic. I mean, this story might only be interesting to Leo, me and my kids, who ask me constantly, "Tell us again how you and Dad got together." The reason I went ahead and posted it was because I want people to understand who Leo and I are before they read about the things that have happened. Does that make sense?


Anyway, I felt so guilty that I didn't go to class for two days (and because I hate conflict, I avoided Leo) and went home that weekend to fix things with my boyfriend. He never showed up for our date and tired of being treated that way, I asked my best friend to take me back up to school. On the way, we got in a car accident. We were hit head on going 60 mph. I could make that as dramatic as it was or at least more than I just did but with all the rest of the drama that has unfolded in my 40 years, the car accident was just a blip on the radar. It was a big blip and really the beginning of my "bad things don't just happen to other people" mindset. I broke my back, the dashboard crushed my knees and I hit my head on the windshield. The seatbelt saved my life. I had to leave school and remember being mad at Leo for not even calling to see how I was or not coming to see me. Right after I got home from the hospital, my boyfriend and I broke up for good. I think something happens to you when you come close to dying. You have a very low tolerance for crap.

I couldn't wait to go back up to school and date. I wanted to experience the freedom of college while not being tied to home or tied to a guy. Four years is a long time to focus on two people as one entity. I was ready to focus on friends and all the fun we were going to have.

I dated a little bit after the car accident (The Rebel) and then Leo finally called. There was some confusion about no one telling him what was going on and since I avoided him after we kissed, he thought I didn't want to talk to him. We made plans for him to come over the next night and when he walked up the sidewalk, I saw him do a double-take. I lost weight from the accident, dyed my hair and was tan. I was flattered that he noticed and oh, my God, he was even hotter than I remembered. His tan made his blue eyes even more piercing and when he smiled at me, I was hooked. Any chance of dating anyone else when I went back to college flew out the window that night. He was so easy to be with and that time when we kissed, there was no guilt. We made more plans for that weekend and ended up spending the weekend hanging out with his friends. We went to Lake Geneva for the day for our first real date and when the past Leo, much like the present Leo waited until the last minute to get money and the machine ended up eating his card, I had to pay for the Lake Geneva date (should have been another foreshadowing to his waiting until the last minute to do things but I will say he has more than paid me back...being that I am a stay at home mom right now).

We agreed that we wouldn't get serious and that we could see other people though at that time, I had no interest in other guys. As the years went on, that subject would come up from time to time (like in the post about things that shaped me) but it never went anywhere because when I fell for Leo, I fell hard. That was the beginning and this year will mark 22 years together.

I love thinking about how it all began because it is truly one of those stories where I was not looking for love (I already had it when we met and was not wanting to get serious so soon after coming out of a long relationship) and I know Leo, at 18, was not looking to fall in love but it didn't matter, it found us. One of my favorite songs that reminds me of when Leo and I got together is Van Halen's, "Love Comes Walking In." Fits perfectly with what happened so I am sharing it here. Enjoy!


">