Three is a Charm

She was at my son's bar mitzvah with a friend, but I didn't know it. She was at a reunion with my friend from Washington DC, but I didn't know it.

I first realized her at a friend's dinner at the Great Greek restaurant.  I was going through my second ugly divorce. I was off of all relationships. I was writing my first book which was my only priority. She was with a friend of mine. Their relationship was just friends. She remembered me - I thought it was the first time I saw her.

The two divorces had cost me all of my money and a friendship with my oldest son, however I was very interested in her.  I asked Howard if she was available. He made it very clear that the two of us would never work. I didn't disagree, but I was interested. I went home that night to continue to work on my book.  I couldn't get anything done because all I was thinking about was her.

The next day, another friend, who was at the dinner, wanted me to come to a party that night. I really wanted to work on my book, but before I said no, I asked Jay if Ellen would be there.  He said yes and told me to meet at Howard's house so we could all go in one car.

There was no room in the car for all of us, so I asked Ellen if she would sit on my lap - she said OK.  Driving to the party I said to Ellen that I would like to take her out on a formal date - she said OK.

At the party, a slow song came on. I asked Ellen if she would like to dance with me (us Philadelphia boys and Jersey girls know how to dance). Ellen said OK.  She and I were dancing very closely and when the slow song was over a fast song came on. During the fast song Ellen and I were still hip locked and dancing slowly. 

On the ride back to Howard's house, I asked Ellen if she wanted to stay overnight with me. She lived an hour away and I was ten minutes from Howards'. Ellen said OK.  Then it dawned on me that I was a broke bachelor who only had one set of sheets and pillow cases plus three towels. I went into Howard's house and asked him if I could borrow a set of sheets and a few towels. He asked me why. I told him about Ellen staying over. Howard in shock, said: "you have got to be kidding me - this will never work."

On the way to my car, I remembered a line from Annie Hall and said to Ellen,:"Listen, when I get to my place I'm going to be a nervous wreck so please kiss me now before we get there - Ellen said OK.

Ellen and I are just about to have our twenty third wedding anniversary (together twenty seven years). She is the love of my life and the best thing that has ever happened to me.  I know she loves me the same.

THREE IS A CHARM