I (heart) Nerds, vol. II

The phone call started just like all of the others. Small talk about the weather, family back in Maine, old friends. Predictably, it turned to why I remained in West Virginia, and followed by 'So, when are you going to move down here?'

The weather was, at best, grim. Gray and sandy air hung outside my apartment, slush and ice scattered around me. It was 17 degrees outside, and I had just completed round one out of two at work. I was working double shifts at the redneck bar, with a 4 hour break in between. My days began at 11 am and ended after 3 the next morning. The money was decent, but I was exhausted.

It was one week before Christmas. In a matter of days, I was to board a plane bound for Maine to visit family for the holiday. Chachi would remain in North Carolina for Christmas, while his family, also in Maine, celebrated without him.

We had the same conversation, verbatim, every time we spoke. We had broken up five years earlier, while still freshmen in college. The distance had finally gotten to us; it was too far and we were simply too young.

Once a year, it seemed, fate would draw us back together for small talk - compliments of AT&T. But something was different this time. When he asked why I remained in West Virginia, I didn't chafe. I wasn't angry. I wasn't defensive. For the first time, I honestly didn't know why I stayed.

I told him about my trip back to Maine, and our call ended on a good note. He asked me to call him when I returned to West Virginia. Two weeks later, I called him back. When he asked this time, I didn't hesitate. I told him that I remained in West Virginia 'because it was better than Maine'. He understood. Predictably, he asked when I intended to move south. I opened my mouth to say 'I don't know'; 'When are you coming to get me?' popped out instead.

He came to get me the next Friday, on his 24th birthday. Despite the fact that he never actually proposed, we were married 8 months later.

Looking back all these years later, I must be honest. I fell in and out of love with a lot of different types and stereotypes over the years. When push came to shove, though, the hardworking, kindhearted honest nerd won me over. I wouldn't have it any other way.