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A Match Made at Pizza Hut | Our Love Story

Family

11 Mar

Ten years ago today, I went on a first date with a guy I didn’t know.

I think it turned out pretty well.

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In 2005, my 17-year-old self was working as a hostess at the local Pizza Hut. My mom had forced me into the job once I had my driver’s license. As in, she taped the Open Interviews ad in the newspaper to my steering wheel while I was in school, and I had no choice but to go and get hired on the spot.

I hated pretty much all of it – from busy Friday nights of asking “smoking or non?” a billion times, forever angry waitresses, customers who got sideways when the salad bar needed refilled, and the fact that I routinely found myself in the back washing dishes until long after closing (or when they had to let the minors go home). I worked there for nearly two years, and never once was I taught how to make a pizza. It was the type of job I believe all high school students should suffer through, just so they have a drive to NOT become one of those angry waitresses someday.

I was also in the “off-again” stage of a on-again/off-again relationship I had been in for over three years. It seems that people in small towns find their soul mate in middle school, and then date until it is socially acceptable to get married. I was on that same path, but unfortunately (or fortunately?) my boyfriend was just never very committed. He would find a reason to break up with me, and I would wait around until he decided to come back.

Until the last time. That time, I decided to move on.

M4034S-4211

 

As you all know, I tend to grow wild hairs. I did something so outside of my normal that I still believe it was fate. I had heard through the grapevine that a guy at work “liked” me. I didn’t know him at all (other than he was incompetent when it came to putting away silverware), but I found out that he had put his two weeks in at the Hut. What did I have to lose? If I didn’t like him I would never have to see him again! It was the perfect plan. I decided to stalk him in the parking lot one night after work (because, you know, I’m a total creeper), and find out what he drove. I left him a note on the back of a special order ticket with my phone number, and told him to “call me sometime.” I thought I had it all figured out.

Except he didn’t call.

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So again, being the creeper that I am, I looked through the employee list at work until I found his phone number. Then I made my friend Lana call on my behalf.

So high school.

Long story short, we eventually wound up on a date. He showed up at my parents’ house in his beater Toyota pickup truck wearing a gray turtleneck sweater, distressed jeans with paint on them, and bowling shoes he stole from the bowling alley. Back then he sported long, long, blond hair, that he would flip out of his eyes approximately every minute and a half. He was immediately bombarded with the third degree from my parents, sisters, grandparents and even a friend of my youngest sister. She told him he had a big nose. I’m surprised he ever came back.

He was a far cry from my previous boyfriend. I didn’t know a thing about him, and he didn’t know anything about me.

But it worked.

img_ (13)

Three years later, we got married. Now, 10 years after our first date of a movie and closing down Little Mexico, we have a home, a life and a perfect little girl together. A decade ago, you could have never convinced me that our lives would pan out the way they have so far.

It was all so spontaneous. So random. And so right.

Never underestimate the power of the Pizza Hut dishroom.

—

Where did your love story begin? I hope it was better than in a place where everything smells of cheese and grease. 😉

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  1. Amber Stegner says

    March 11, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    I met Jay at the MT Cup, just off of the Ball State campus, in Muncie. I was angry at the time, and we were meeting to discuss problems with a mutual friend. When our eyes met for the first time things clicked and we parted ways that night after a 3hr conversation. After that we only missed one day of talking to each other and it drove us nuts! We were married 3 years after that night, and have been together for 6 years. We are also the parents of a beautiful baby boy.

    Reply
  2. Tabitha Guarnieri says

    March 12, 2015 at 9:29 am

    That is such an awesome story. It just goes to show that the right person can be right next to you and you don’t even know it. I love how things worked out for you two! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Meghan says

    March 24, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Love hearing people’s love stories! That picture of your wedding is so sweet 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Friday Five: Blogger Love v.8 | orangeowldiaries says:
    March 13, 2015 at 8:14 am

    […] A Match Made at Pizza Hut | Our Love Story by Samantha of Cotton Tales.  I’m such a sucker when it comes to bloggers sharing their love stories.  It just restores my faith that love is real and works out.  Gosh, I’m such a girl! […]

    Reply

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NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

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This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

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Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Las Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Last year, we danced our way to 2020 on the island. Christmas just doesn’t feel the same this year without the ocean. 🌊

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Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 #eleuthera #bahamas # Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 

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This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

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