Our Story: Part 3 "Mutual Friend"

Jamie Baldwin, "Baldy" as we all lovingly called her, was one of my teammates.  She was a year older than me and had made it her mission to set me up.  Maybe I seemed clueless, maybe she just wanted to see me happy or maybe she just loved playing match maker and I was the only single girl she could think of.  Whatever the reason, she loved to try setting me up.  I had gone on a couple of dates with some of her other athlete (swimmer) friends.  I don't think I ever went out with any of them more than once.

Look how young Baldy and I were!

Naturally, between our past success rate (or lack there of) and dating Jesus, you can understand that when I got a phone call from her on a Saturday night at the end of January asking if I was currently seeing anyone, I was VERY quick to respond with, "NO THANKS".

Her pitch to me was that she had found the PERFECT guy for me.  They had classes together since they were both telecom majors.  

Her exact qualifications were:

-He is nice

-He is also from California

-He doesn't swear because he's religious

-He has straight, white teeth

Literally, I started laughing because if those were the only qualifications to date me, then what did that say about me!  My response was, "if he's so great, you date him".

She pleaded with me a little more, but I stood my ground.  Even if I wasn't dating Jesus, I did not need help getting a date....right?

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The next morning after Baldy's call was Sunday and I was so excited to bring my best guy friend, Dusty, to church with me.  Dusty was literally like a brother and his family was my college family.  I spent holidays with them if I couldn't go home and I would hang out with his mom regularly since my mom wasn't close.

Following the fellowship break at church that morning, Dusty and I walked up to the sanctuary doors.  AND GUESS WHO WAS STANDING RIGHT THERE?

THE CUTE BOY FROM CHURCH!

I literally had not seen him since that Sunday before Thanksgiving, three months prior.  I recognized him immediately, although I felt badly because I couldn't remember his name.  He greeted me, and said, "I hear we have a mutual friend."

The second those words left his mouth, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place for me.  This was THE SAME guy Baldy had tried to set me up with.

I had to admit, she had done a good job this time, maybe she was on to something with this guy.

But I had a date with Jesus and I had to get Dusty into a seat before they were all taken.

So I quickly acknowledged to Phil (AHHHH...That was his name, I should probably lock that away in my memory) that we both knew Baldy and that she was a great girl with great intentions although she is a bit excitable.  Then I grabbed Dusty and headed to the nearest set of seats.

While I was a bit distracted trying to be a good hostess to Dusty, I have to admit I did wonder a little about this guy, Phil.  Would I see him again?  How was I going to let him down gently?  Who's to say he was even actually interested.  Maybe he was just being nice and obliging Baldy.

Church ended, I didn't see him afterwards, so I went on my merry way.

But I could tell I hadn't heard the last from him!

***Phil admitted to me later that Baldy had shown him my picture from the Field Hockey website and he recognized me from our encounter at church so he planned to try to find me at church that morning, while I on the other hand was totally caught off guard.