Before we were the Hales


What do you call the experience of having an acquaintance whom you’d seen often, you had attended the same social events, you had even hung out with the same friends never knowing that person is really your soulmate? That was our experience. We met in high school and were never romantically attracted to the other. As the universe would have it, we would get married a decade later. I have 3 memories of Tia from high school. These are in order of least to most importance.

The first memory was at a basketball game. Tia wore a denim jacket and pants set. It was fitted and warranted many looks from my high school eyes. 


The second memory was at her high school sorority ball. I was there escorting one of her sorority sisters. Tia and I had small talk.


The third memory was at a different basketball game. I remember this encounter more vividly than the other encounters. Tia and I would sometimes talk about this particular run in during our marriage. She would laugh about it while I'd be salty but have the last laugh. 


Apparently, there had been some discussion about me amongst her friends that somewhat piqued her curiosity to learn more about me. When her friends pointed me out after the game she disappointedly replied, “Him?! That’s who y'all talking about! He looks like a little boy.” To this day, I can hear her voice shading me to her friends. My adult self is still bitter on behalf of my 16 year old self. Tia is still laughing in the spiritual realm. And although I got the girl, my once last laugh is now overshadowed by the wave of grief.


Our relationships today may not always be defined by the moment.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"I gotta be a gift." A story about intimacy.

Fight for your love.

No Place to Hide: A story about Tia for her birthday.