As Jas and I enter the new year both in our 33rd year I thought it would be fun to share our meet cute in 2014 and what I was thinking, feeling, and being awoken to.
This will be a three part series that I will share weekly :)
One
“Come over when ever man, we’re drinking and cooking dogs and burgers on the roof. A bunch of people are coming over later.” Zach texts me. After I had reached out to see what his 4th of July plans were.
Zach is Tony’s roommate and someone whom I have begun to enjoy my time with. 6’3’’, good looking, and a peaceful soul, he enjoys life and is never exclusive with his “come all” mantra. Drunken nights filled with open vibes and camaraderie is where I have felt safest.
Riding to Fed Hill riding North on the one-way S. Paca past Camden and M&T stadium, the sunlight is hitting both empty stadiums and its effects are tantalizing. Turning left onto Hamburg, I see three beautiful brown little girls playing tag in the street and the feeling of the 4th of July is in the air.
Arriving at Zach’s, I wait five min before Austin, Zach’s best mate runs down the stairs. “Ah shit bro, my bad, you weren’t out here long were you?” No worries my friend, let’s just get into this day.” Tossing the Newcastle I brought into the fridge, I make my way up to the deck and Zach aptly has a dog and a burger already waiting for me. Sitting in a reclining beach chair, my only thought is life is beautiful.
People file in and out of the apt as the day goes on, everyone enjoying the pregame and seeing old friends.
Talking with Zach along the deck’s back railing, an old friend makes an entrance onto the roof terrace and all eyes turn, and with light gleaming all around him, the old friend does a side shuffle dance. Dapping up, Zach proudly says, “Shit Ty you’re always looking fly.” Rocking rolled up white denim jeans with Gucci loafers Ty declares, “they are hard to keep clean but yea, they look good.”
As the night progresses I learn that Ty was born in the States but is European raised, has served multiple tours in Afghanistan as a marine and is currently an up and coming EDM producer with 17K followers on IG. But more important than what he has done is who he is. Ty’s energy is infectious; it creates an environment around him of kindness, charm but above all else love.
We move the pregame to Noble’s, a bar on S. Charles and for twenty dollars we have two hours of unlimited rail drinks. No one is pushing their agenda or negative energy on the night. We’re a group of more than twenty and the moment is natural and free.
Sitting and talking with Ty, I feel so much genuine energy, he is authentic. “You want to grab a smoke, I need some fresh air.” he says. “Definitely, my friend.”
Leaning against the bar’s outside wall we continue our conversation about the difference between Europe and the US. “Man, one of the biggest differences with Americans and Europeans is the we say, how are you? as a form of hello not paying attention to the fact that it is actually a question.”
Ty taking a slow pull, has a good laugh, “Shit man that is so true, we’re so caught up with ourselves man.” Out of nowhere the lovely, long haired, loud and proud Lorena walks outside of the bar and asks Ty if he has any more cigarettes. “We just smoked my last two, but there is a CVS a block down that we grab some from.” Walking to CVS, Ty and I linger outside to finish our conversation, when Lorena walks out with an over excitable tone in her voice as she talks on her phone she says, “Oh my gosh! We have been waiting for you all night! Hurry up! And find some parking.”
It is in this same moment that I see the most perfect woman through her car window, laughing and smiling as if light was created by her and for her. After Lorena stops screaming, “Jasmine! Jasmine!” She tells her she can find parking if she turns around and goes to the lot just behind us on W. Hamburg.
Ty and I walk back into Noble’s and I ask him, “What’s the deal with Jasmine?” and his response, “She is the most amazing and beautiful human being I know.”
Two
Retreating back to Zach’s to watch the fireworks, I watch from afar as old friends, overjoyed to see her face engulf her. I see her soul in her smile. Wearing her curly hair in an up do, with the sides shaven, red lipstick, a pierced septum and the most stunning sleeve tattoo I have ever seen. She has Hope and Love tattooed on each shoulder; she stands tall exuberating as much soulful passion as her exterior beauty. I am out of my league but I am pushed forward by a moment.
After introducing myself, I feel a bit of courage and say, “Can we just talk about your beautiful brown skin, and with a look of half amazement and half offense, she grins slightly and says, “What’s wrong with you?” We enter into a vortex of flirtation. Witty-sarcastic comebacks, mixed in with deep meaningful commentary brought together by our mutual love for who Ty is as a person.
Watching the fireworks explode over the Chesapeake with a child sense of wonderment all are ready to move our party to the last spot of the night. Walking to Raleigh’s Oyster Bar a restaurant doubling as a late night dance spot for the under 30’s of Fed Hill, we find it is packed and so I walk upstairs to the less congested 2nd floor bar. “Where are you going?” Jas aks. “I am a wanderer.”
With the three of us leaning over the 2nd floor railing, she kisses me, looks me in the eyes and then looks over at Ty, “Look how scared he is…”