EDEN & GREG

It was Memorial Day Weekend 2011.  As usual Greg had nothing set in stone but was simply bouncing from event to event giving him the option to seek out whatever was going to be the best time. There was no plan, no expectations, and certainly no thought that a future bride would be met that night.

 

Eden was also playing a wild card that night. At a spot she had never been before that was clearly not her cup of tea. No heels, no dress, no gold on. Just a simple tank top, jeans, and a black zip-up wool sweater by her side in case she got cold. Her girls, Alissa serving as the ring leader, had convinced her to come out and it would wind up being a much better decision that she realized.

 

Greg and one of his best friends Wojan walked into Durkin's, along with some other troublemakers, and immediately Greg’s eyes were set on this beautiful young lady sitting at the first table. Wojan looked at Greg, followed his eyes to Eden and gave Greg a smile. Nothing had to be said, they both knew what was going on.

 

The two crews combined to one and the night that started as just another evening took off. When one place closed, they moved to the next, everyone moving as a unit. But one could not help to notice Eden’s eyes and the glances she shot towards Greg as they walked and his smile back to her as an answer.

 

It was already getting late but as the night progressed the fun continued and no one was ready for the night to end. Greg was playing hard to get, giving off the right signs but shying away from striking up a conversation. Tired of waiting for him to make a move, Eden decided to act. Greg left the group and Eden knew it was her opportunity to strike. And strike she did with a swift smack on Greg’s bottom. 

 

Eden’s follow up was simple.

 

“Hi.”

 

“Hey.” Greg said with a wink.

 

“What are you going to do, ignore me all night?” Eden asked.

 

“I don’t know, what are you planning after we all go our separate ways?” Greg responded.

 

“Maybe I’ll just have to call you.” She retorted.

 

“Well I guess you’ll have to take my number then.”

 

It was a flirtatious exchange, neither knowing if they ever really would talk or see each other again. But there was also something special happening, something magnetic.

 

The night continued on with more people joining the party. As they arrived at the last watering hole of the night, another friend, Nicole offered to hang up Eden’s sweater for her, a simple gesture but one that would have more meaning than she realized.

 

The buzz from Greg’s alarm signaled the start of a new day. With his Cubs shirt donned, Greg headed to Wrigley to enjoy the extended weekend. Walking down Clark Street, his phone vibrated to alert him of his incoming text message. Nothing new that is until he realized it was Durkins Booty Smack. His interest fully sparked he read the text.

 

“Hey! I know this is random but did you happen to grab my sweater last night?”

 

A quick mental recap of the night,Greg definitely didn’t grab her  sweater. Fully realizing however the opportunity, Greg decided to do some research. After discovering Nicole had the sweater Greg saw his opportunity.

 

Option 1-“I’ve got it for you!” No too needy.

 

Option 2-“Yeah, maybe I do.” Too creepy.

 

PERFECT REPLY-“I talked to Nicole, she’s going to drop it off to me so I can get it back to you.” That’ll do.

 

A simple 100% Wool sweater, one of a hundred Eden had in her closet. No bling, no patches, no buttons, no ties, just a plain black sweater, yet the catalyst for a first date.

 

After the date was over, Greg handed the sweater back to Eden. She had claimed it wasn’t a ploy to talk to him again. But as he handed it to her she denied it. “Why don’t you hold on to it so I can guarantee that I’m going to see you again.”