A Crush

During our history class, I would often invite Justin to college group. Mostly it was to make small talk, because if you know Justin, you know he’s not a big talker. Usually, he would be working on the nights that we had college group, but occasionally he would make it to the events. We were getting to know each other bit by bit, but I still had no clue what the future held for us. Class ended just before Thanksgiving and around that time Justin was assigned to my college small group. Part of my duties as a leader was to call him and remind him of events, etc.

Meanwhile, I was also leader in the Jr. High ministry. Justin’s little brother Kurt was a junior higher. When I hadn’t seen Justin at college group in a while, I’d ask Kurt about him. Kurt would pass on the news that I had asked about him sometimes and other times I think Kurt just thought I was annoying. I would call with details of a fellowship activity and the message would get lost in translation from Kurt to Justin, or at least that’s the way Justin told the story ;) . Regardless, Justin started showing up to college group more. I guess my nagging paid off.

I think my nagging probably also seemed a bit like I was pursuing Justin. At the time I don’t really remember feeling interested, but this would change as Justin started showing up to more events. One particular event I remember is the Superbowl party. Justin didn’t really know many people, but he was a great sport. He played with the college group leader’s kids and was so cute with them. He was also looking mighty good ;) . He had on a green sweater, jeans and Docs…very Gapish (only now do I realize that anything he wore was not by choice, but because his mom bought it and he wore WHATEVER). This was the first time I think I accepted that I might have a little crush on this guy. (Man, was I shallow….it was all because of the clothes and shoes…well, and he was cute with the kids;).

Justin and I leaning on his truck in front of the house me and my sister rented.

A few weeks later, after church some people decided to go to lunch together at the Oasis. Somehow I ended up riding with Justin and another friend T-squared. We went in Justin’s truck and I sat in the middle. It was kind of awkward. You have to remember I was naïve and REALLY innocent (we’ll get to that later ;) ) Just sitting in the middle felt so…scary and tingly and, well, you girls know what I’m talking about. ( YES, I realize I was 19, but it still made me feel like a jr. higher!) I was his college group “leader” and this was all getting a little weird. After lunch, Justin dropped T-squared off in front of the room where he had to meet at the church, and I got out of the truck to go to my car. It was raining and Justin insisted on driving me around the corner. When we got there it got kind of quiet and awkward and I got scared. I think I said something like, “Well, I’ll talk to you later I guess” and that is when the awkward pause and “…well” came into play. I’m thinking “Oh no, what's going tohappen now?"

He continued, “Do you think I could have your number and maybe we can hang out sometime?”

“Um sure, that would be fun!” (Behind the scenes…”OH MY GOODNESS, is this really happening. This doesn’t happen to Barbie?!?”) And I wrote my number on the back of my clock-out receipt from Café Med (he still has it).

I calmly walked to my car, where I proceed to drive home and call all of my friends.