In honor of St. Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share the story of how I met my Valentine! We have never been ones to truly celebrate the holiday with grand, expensive gestures, but we do enjoy spending the day together, cooking a nice dinner in, and just enjoying each other's company. We may still be considered newlyweds, but we sure can act like an old married couple sometimes...and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I moved to Atlanta after college in the summer of 2011. I worked at a bakery called Piece of Cake (thanks to the Hollins alum who owns it!) and just enjoyed living the single life in a new city. It was now February of 2012, and I still didn't know many people in Atlanta yet. One of my coworkers invited me to her 30th birthday party so I could meet some new people. It was here that I met my now husband, Bjorn. I remember seeing him across the room and thinking about how attractive he was. I had the pleasure of being introduced to him, and we spoke for only a minute before we went our separate ways. I had been told by someone at that party that he was actually engaged, so I never pursued anything further.
I remember going home that evening and telling my roommate about this attractive Swedish guy I met that night, but that he was engaged. That didn't stop me from trying a little Facebook stalking though :) Since it isn't really my style to break up a relationship (especially one that is engaged to be married), the pursuit ended then and there.
Fast forward to August of 2012, I was in London with my brother to watch the Olympics, and when I returned to Atlanta, there was a 'Bjorn' on the schedule for work. I knew that had to be the same guy because how many times in your American life do you hear the name Bjorn? As smooth as I could, I asked my coworker if that was her friend that I met at her birthday party back in February, the one who was engaged. Without hesitation she said that yes, he was at her birthday party, he is definitely NOT engaged, and she was pretty sure he was single. I didn't know whether to be mad in that moment because I was lied to or ecstatic that he was single!
Fortunately, Bjorn is much more outgoing than me (at least back then). We hadn't been working together for even a week before he asked me for my phone number. Shortly after that, we went out on our first date (tacos at Noche and then CineBistro to see Bourne Legacy), and the rest is history. We always joke that had he not asked me for my number, we wouldn't be together today because I NEVER would have gotten the courage to ask him.
We have been through so many changes since we met. Obviously we got married, but we have added to our family with the best dog, we have bought our first home together, and moved to a different state. I still have many more fun adventures with this man, and I can't wait to experience them all!
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you lovers out there. Remember it means so much more than fancy things or chocolates, but it should be a reminder to hug the ones you love!
xo, Karoline
