Adventures,  Love

The Eccentric and her Owl.

23 January, 2012 / 36 Comments

It’s story and picture time! Now that y’all know about my man– who we will call Mr. Owl (thanks to Picco for the nickname) for now– I can share my favorite pictures and a few little adventures we’ve had in the past few weeks. And I can answer all of your questions.

First of all, he’s a photographer, amongst other things. So all the really, really good quality pictures… were taken with his camera. But I edited them, and we both had ideas, so really all of our photoshoots are collaborative efforts.

I suppose really I should just start at the beginning, since y’all asked the predictable questions (Is he Irish, where did we meet, where did I find him, does he have single brothers…).

Technically, we met about three years ago at a game night the young adults at my church used to do. I don’t really remember much about him from then, probably because he was quiet and I was shy, and I wasn’t really focused on finding a boy. But our paths crossed– unbeknownst to us– quite a few times over the years. He played softball with my oldest brother, I went to his church off and on through the years, he took video of a wedding in which I did the bride’s makeup… basically, we sort of just ran in the same circles, but distantly enough not to bump into each other.

Then last year in September, I noticed two guys in church– one of whom was wearing bright green pants. (And his brother, who was wearing bright blue pants. And yes, his brother is single. But he’s the last one, so act fast.) I have to be honest: I didn’t notice Mr. Owl more than that I really liked his style. I didn’ t notice how cute he was, and we never even spoke until the Sunday before our first date. Which was two months later.

In my defense, he wouldn’t even look at me in church. Because he knew if he looked at me, he’d have to talk to me, and he didn’t know what to say. Yes, this is my favorite fact so far. And yes, I will never let him live it down.

About a month later, he added me as a friend on Facebook, saying that his sister (who I know and am friends with) said I had some pictures that he might like, since he’s into photography. We talked via Facebook messaging for about a month about everything from our mutual interest in photography, to how he makes short films and I write stories and we should collaborate, to family, to… who knows. Everything. I didn’t start liking him until the last three messages, though, because that’s when I found out that he loves Lord of the Rings and he likes the Renaissance Faire.

But I had no idea he liked me– see above, not even acknowledging me at church– until he asked for my phone number. It took me four days to respond. In those four days, I had various flurries of thoughts, such as “should I ask why?” and “Maybe he just wants to talk about collaborating with movies/scripts, but then why would he need my phone number?” and “I don’t even know. I just don’t know. I… don’t know.”

Finally, after talking to a good friend and also telling my mom about it, I decided to just up and give him my number, not ask why, and let life happen however it wanted to. I gave him my number on a Saturday, and that night my friend, my mom, and I went to a church function wherein I pointed him out to my friend. Her response was “oh! He’s cute! He’s really cute!”

The next day– Sunday– he came up and introduced himself in person. It was the most awkward introduction ever, since I already knew who he was and yet he came up, said hi, told me who he was (full name included), and shook my hand.

As you can see, I’m much better at keeping a straight face. (not)

And then the next day, he called me. But I wasn’t in the room when my phone rang, and when I saw the missed call… I had no idea who it was.

Well, I had my suspicions. My friend (who was staying with me, as she lives in New Mexico) told me to call back. I didn’t.

I got a message the next day from Mr. Owl. At the end of it, he said “Oh, and this is my number so you know who’s calling your phone.”

He called me again two days later, asked if I’d like to meet for coffee, and the rest… is basically history. Neither of us ate or slept much that week, but when the date finally came around, we talked for three hours, saw each other every day that weekend, and in the last six weeks (and three days), there are only five days we haven’t seen each other.

And I think I will keep him. 😉

On to the other questions!

From Bethie (who made me burst out laughing, by the way)

How does Mr. Rochester feel about this? How is it possible for someone’s eyes to be so blue?! Where did you meet? Is he possessing of Irish roots? Does he like kitties? Will he watch period dramas with you? Does he have any brothers or cousins? Imeanwhat?

1. I don’t care, Mr. Owl takes precedence over Mr. Rochester. And besides, Rochester already has a wife. 2. I don’t know. But they are. Sigh. 3. Church. And Facebook. And at a coffee place. But basically… church. Did I mention… he’s one of the pastor’s sons? 4. No, but he’s partly Scottish. And he wants to go to Ireland. Which is close enough for me. 5. Yes. 6. … maybe…? 7. Yes, and… maybe…? But his brother is still single. 8. *snicker*

From Margaret –Where did you find him? — and to reassure Linda:

Church! Mostly. Our friendship really started on Facebook, but if I hadn’t known about him because I go to his church, I would never have been so friendly. Plus, I’m friends with two of his sisters. And as I said, I noticed him first at church for his style.

From Bellepear: Does he know about/read the blog?

Yes, he knows about it. But he doesn’t read it because– according to him– it’s more for girls. He does, however, really like my style. So that’s good. 😀

And lastly…
make gif

We play a lot of Jenga.

That’ll have to be the end of the storytelling right now, because I really need to get dressed and do some cleaning. I  hope you all have a beautiful Monday!

36 Comments

  • piccolaitaliana

    23 January, 2012 at 11:33 am

    Just when we all though he couldn’t get any cuter than the picture in your last post, BAM. You put these up. Can I just say he is totally swoon-worthy in that first one? Kind of Mr. Darcy-esque. Pretty much, I’m totally happy for you two crazy lovebirds 😉

    And I’m glad I could help with the nickname! Although now all I can think of is that how-many-licks-does-it-take-to-get-to-the-center-of-a-tootsie-pop commercial. And now I’m hungry. Surprise?

    • Mara

      23 January, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      Haha! He just gets cuter as the days go by, seriously. I don’t even know how he does it.
      You can. Cuz I agree. Then again, I think he’s swoon-worthy pretty much always. 😀

      Bahahaha! I’m not surprised you’re hungry. … and now I want to call him Tootsie-pop.

  • Georgia

    23 January, 2012 at 11:39 am

    I just… can’t. I’m so happy for you and from the sounds of it you two are perfect for each other!
    Hope your days are filled with love and joy sweetheart, you (and Mr Owl for making you so happy) deserve it. xx <3

  • Marie

    23 January, 2012 at 11:45 am

    I love these pictures, they look fantastic! You look really great in red by the way. The story is very cute and awkward introductions are pretty much my forte right now lol. I’m almost 100% positive church is the best place to meet people (:

    P.s. I’ve never played Jenga before (:

    • Mara

      23 January, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      Thank you! I need to get more red. I always forget how much I love it.
      I am wondering if introductions are ever NOT awkward. 😀 And yes, church is definitely the best place to meet people!

      You haven’t? Ah! You must! It’s intense sometimes, but really fun! I mean, who doesn’t want to knock over a pile of blocks? (I may still be five years old inside…)

  • Darleen ~ Places In The Home

    23 January, 2012 at 11:45 am

    So happy for you Mara! It is official- now you really do remind me of my son’s girlfriend because Mr. Owl favors my son. Very nice day when you click with someone on a friend basis, common interest basis, faith basis, and mutual respect basis. Firm foundations build beautiful houses.

    Oh, and is it me, or does anyone else notice that Mr. Owl has a little bit of a Josh Groban look going on?

    • Mara

      23 January, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      You know, I can see it in a few of the pictures now that you say something, but in real life I don’t think he looks anything like Josh Groban.

  • mselene

    23 January, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    Yay! I thoroughly approve (not that you need my approval, but still…)! Your story sounds like the story of how my sister met her husband. She was visiting a new church and he spotted her as soon as she walked in the door. They’ve been together for three years now and were married last summer, so apparently church is the place to meet men! 😉

    This gives me one more reason to find a new church! I’ve been considering finding a new church for a long time now (for various other reasons) and this has got me convinced! 😉

    I’m sooo happy for you! I love couples!

    And also, I couldn’t help but notice that he is a VERY good height for you. I don’t know why I care so much about satisfactory height differences, but I do. And you two have passed. Ahhh, you look so cute together!

    Ok, I’m going to stop gushing now.

    • Mara

      24 January, 2012 at 9:18 am

      Well, having your approval is nice even if I don’t need it. 😀 And you know, I went to this church off and on for three years, so it wasn’t necessarily new. It’s just that neither of us were mature enough/outgoing enough to notice each other until December.

      Good luck finding a new church! Church-hunting can be hard.

      That’s something I always noticed, too, the height differences in couples! And I agree, he’s the perfect height for me. 😉 Gush all you want! I do it quite a lot. 😀

  • Jamie Rose

    23 January, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    These pictures of you two are great! I’m jealous you have so many cute pictures together already. I’ve been with my boyfriend over four years and I can count the number of good pictures we have together on both of my hands. Maybe even on one hand haha

    • Mara

      24 January, 2012 at 9:24 am

      I think it really helps that he’s very creative and artistic, and also a very good photographer. Because he likes doing photoshoots together. 😀 And we do have a lot of random adventures, and he always has his camera with him.

  • Bethie

    23 January, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    I am such a fan of you guys! 😀 Reading this post was like reading a favourite book, except it was a little better because it’s real life stuff. And I cannot stress how utterly attractive you two look together! I feel like the sister rabbit in the cartoon Robin Hood. “Oooh, it’s sooo romantic!” *dreamy sigh* ^.^

    I adore all these pictures, but I think the first one and the one with the coats and the teetering on a… something (are you on a gravestone?? 😛 XD) are my absolute top picks! <3 The one where you're wearing your blue coat, it's like you guys jumped straight out of a magazine. A high end one. From which I couldn't afford any of the clothes. (Even if I know your thrifty ways.)

    HEHEHE! Thank you for answering all my questions. You know you have a keeper when those fictional darlings don't matter anymore. 🙂 God BLESS you two! Goodness, too much CUTE!

    • Mara

      24 January, 2012 at 9:29 am

      Haha! When you said the sister rabbit in Robin Hood, it took me a minute to realize you were talking about the cartoon. I don’t know why. I was just very confused as to what a “sister rabbit” was– I was thinking like… nun… yeah. Ahem. I do have my brain still, I promise.

      But thank you, my dearie! 😀 And yes, we were standing on a gravestone. I have another one where we’re on gravestones, and I might post it later. We’re very reverent of graveyards. (*coughnotcough*)

      You’re welcome! 😀 And yes, that is very true. I will always love Mr. Rochester, but Mr. Owl is WAY better. And less temperamental. 😀

  • Nancy Francis

    24 January, 2012 at 3:19 am

    Ok tried to comment and say thy you two are adorable, and that I love your outfit in the top post – but it didn’t work. All for the best though since I referred to it as the “heart dress and the red beret”…. Now that I’m wearing my glasses I can see its circles on the dress and more of a toque than a beret. Very cute though!

    • Mara

      28 January, 2012 at 9:26 am

      Isn’t the gif great? I was just sitting there snapping tons of pictures while he was trying to choose a Jenga piece, and I had to make it once I saw the results of the pictures. 😀

  • Demy

    25 January, 2012 at 10:13 am

    <3 <3 <3 I don't even know what to sayyyyy!!! You two guys are…perfect together! Some things are just meant to be. He is so handsome, just like you! You both have gorgeous eyes, amazing style, sweet faces… I LOVE YOU BOOOTH!!!! I think he gained the title of mr. Owl! hahaha 😀 The second picture is my favorite <3 It looks like a movie poster!
    Take good care of him 😛 <3 I hope life will treat you both in the BEST way ever! It's just too satisfactory to see that your personal life goes in the right direction 😀 😀 😀 :*

    • Mara

      28 January, 2012 at 9:27 am

      <3 Hehe. Why thank you! I think he's pretty great… which is probably obvious. 😉 The second picture is my favorite too, I think!
      Thank you, my dear! You're too sweet! 😀

  • Michelle

    25 January, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Ohmygoodness! I just read this and your other post about introducing your special someone! You two are so cute together! I may or may now have let out a slight “aweeee” while looking at your photos! What a happy time for you!! xx!

    • Mara

      28 January, 2012 at 9:27 am

      Hehe, thank you! I sort of go “awww” every once in a while when I look back through pictures of us, is that weird? 😀

    • Mara

      30 January, 2012 at 10:31 am

      Thank you! It’s a small baptist church. I’d rather not say the name in public since it’s unique and a little more well known for some of the activities it puts on during certain times of the year… and just internet safety. I could email you, if you really want to know. 😉