August 24th
Seven years ago, on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I met Martin. I still vividly remember his smile and how is eyes lit up when we greeted each other with a simple "Hello, nice to meet you." Originally based on the date idea I had posted on "How About We," we were supposed to have our first date at the MET, however, as I was on the train I texted Martin and asked him if we could walk in Central Park (my favorite place in NYC) instead because it was such a beautiful day out. He was a gentleman and obliged, but we agreed to still meet at the Met before we headed to Central Park. So that is how our story began on the steps of the MET.
We walked in Central Park for hours, talking about our life, careers, I shared my knowledge of Central Park with him (as a second grade teacher I had created an entire social studies unit all about Central Park...I definitely impressed him with how much I knew). It was obvious we clicked, our conversations were so natural, I just felt like I already knew him, he was silly and fun and I just felt so comfortable talking to him. After hours in the park, he asked for my recommendation for where we should eat (I had lived on the Upper Eastside, and was moving back in a matter of days). I suggested a pub called Rathbones and when we got there we decided to eat outside since it was a beautiful night. One of the things I remembered most about our first date is actually quite funny. While we were waiting for our food I had mentioned I had seen a Broadway Musical with my sister recently appropriately called "First Date." I had told him about one of my favorite scenes where the title character told one fo her friends to call her to give her the opportunity to bail out of the date. Well, as luck would have it, my sister had just moved into NYC with her boyfriend(now husband) and as we were eating our meal I saw them walking, and I got all excited and ran towards them to say hello. Of course, they were curious and looked to see who I was out with. I didn't know at the time but Martin thought they were my bail out in case things weren't going well(he would tell me this on a later date), but in reality that was completely unplanned. Like, what were the chances of that happening? I think that just adds to our amazing story.
Because my apartment wasn't ready for me to move into yet, Martin walked me to the subway station so I could head to Grand Central and catch a train back to my mom's house. As we said our goodbyes Martin asked me if I would like to go out again, and I of course replied "That I would love to." I remember him then pulling out two tickets to the MET, and telling me we could go there since he had bought the tickets for us to go that day. I remember feeling so bad that I had changed plans, but he reassured that it was fine and that he loved walking around the park. He also pointed out that we would get to do the original plan next week. So as we parted ways, he told me to text him when I got home so he knew I got home safely(how sweet). As I walked down to the subway, I knew this was the start of something special. Little did I know that I had just met the love of my life, my future husband, the father of my children, and the person that I was going to lose so tragically to a pandemic.
Martin always told me that I was the greatest half birthday present he ever got, and now as I sit here reminiscing about the day Martin walked into my life I know that his love and the life we built together is the greatest gift he gave me.
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