One Year Ago Yesterday

I was driving around Sioux Falls. And I had this really pretty, funny, talented girl along with me. And I was nervous. I was going to ask her to be my girlfriend.

In Walmart we were shopping around, and I called Holly Smith, my accomplice. I wanted to do it there. I had a fair idea that the girl would say “Yes”, but I wasn’t sure. Holly said under no circumstances could I do it in Walmart. So, I made the decision to go to Falls Park. Holli asked who I was talking to, and I said it was Bryce.

Lie #1.

At Falls Park, we sat for a while on a bench and talked. I carefully and quietly worked up the nerve to ask my question. And then I asked it. And waited. And waited. And after a considerable pause, she answered and said “Yes”. I told her that I would really like her to meet my grandparents. In truth, I was trying to score points by bringing my new girlfriend to see the family first.

Lie #2.

We got to Karin’s and no one was there. We call and wait, and talk to Grandma and Grandpa for a very long time. Share stories, connect on a deeper level than anyone could ever imagine. And then the day ended, and we went back to whence we came. It was a good day.

A year later we had plans to enjoy food at Jonny Carino’s, revisit Falls Park (for the first time since), and take in a movie. Well, weather was no permitting. Instead we went to Skipper’s in town (which is a pretty good Italian restaurant a couple blocks from my apartment), we exchanged gifts, and we watched A Prairie Home Companion. Skippers was good, the presents were sweet (I gave her an album of music that I’ve written since first learning the guitar and recorded this past week or so, complete with album art, and she gave me a scrapbook with pictures from our first year together), but the movie was disappointing and a little boring.

All in all, I think it was a good Anniversary, and I’m very happy to have Holli in my life. :)