I taught 5 and 6 years olds children for 2 years at the McDonogh School after I graduated from college. Every Thursday was "Cooking Class," in which I would teach my students a series of recipes that we would learn make and eat over the course of the year. So... in order to do that well, it required ingredients. Every Wednesday I would go to the grocery store to get the materials I needed for each lesson.

A handful of my Wednesday night grocery runs happened to be the first few dates Patrick and I ever had. People would ask us where we went on dates to get to know each other... well... pretty much the local grocery store, Giant, or SuperFresh.

But let's rewind. In the winter of 2010-2011, Patrick and I met. We met at church on a Sunday morning and proceeded to take a leadership course called Alpha, realizing we both were in it and at the same table. At first Patrick annoyed me. I thought he was a "know it all" and a bit cocky too. However, I also knew and could see thought he was extrememly handsome, smart, and planned out. Systematic, Structured. Total opposite from me.

For 9 weeks, the length of the Alpha Course, every Wednesday, after the class was over, Patrick would come with me to the grocery store. We talked about what I needed for the next day, what foods we liked, things we did as kids, and more. It progressed to life lessons, previous relationships, fears, and dreams.

It was towards the end of the leadership course that Patrick said "Maggie, I can't go to the grocery store with you anymore." I was confused. I thought "Did he not like the grocery store? Was he tired of my stories about my crazy 8 person family. Did I smell funny?"

Confused I said,"ok... why?" His response, thankfully was what I had hoped it would be. He proceeded to share his heart with me, how much he loved time with me, and 1x a week at the grocery store was not enough. He didn't want to lead me on anymore. He wanted me to know that he wanted to pursue me. He knew I assumed friendship until told otherwise... but I'm sure I hinted to the fact that I too wanted more than grocery store visits with him.

So... we started "dating" in the Spring of 2011. Fast Forward. Life happened. We ended up not dating, then hardly talking. Patrick went away for the Summer to play baseball. I nannied in Nantucket for a family. I started talking to someone else. He started talking to someone else. And on November 1st, 2011, Patrick and I were officially together and dating for reals because we were tired of people, life and other relationships... and in need of each other. Just sayin',

Phew.

Be careful. You never know how dangerous a date to the grocery store can be.