Love stories….

Folks have sent in their stories of how they met, for Valentine’s Day – here’s the first one I wanted to share, in which Heather Clark tells how she met Ken:

Heather & Ken

I had been hired to do the animal show at a theme park (Knotts Berry Farm) in Southern California.  It was May of ’92.  I had just turned twenty.  He was the star of the stunt show.  And had quite the entourage.  He was extremely handsome, talented and looked like trouble.

I was so not interested.  He broke two of my main rules…never date someone prettier than me and never date someone that is the center of attention.  Bad news all the way around.  A few co-workers had mentioned he had asked about me and were surprised when I said he wasn’t my type.  I seriously was not interested…another self-possessed, ego driven, Hollywood type who thinks the world revolves around him, I thought…I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Another Knott’s employee, Dave, was in a band and had a gig.  He invited a girlfriend of mine and me to see him.  We went, and Dave had to sneak me in.   It wasn’t long before I was kicked out for being underage.  As my friend was really enjoying herself, I offered to wait in the car for her.  Next thing I know, the supposed egotistical stuntman (a friend of Dave’s) is out there offering me a ride home…smooth right?  Well, I suppose sitting in a car outside a bar in L.A. is not the safest of places to be in the wee hours of the morning, so I accept. He took me to Denny’s.

We are sitting at Denny’s and the waitress comes up and (I KID YOU NOT) recognizes him from the stunt show and begins flirting with him.  Oh boy, here we go, I thought.  Much to my surprise, he blushes, fumbles, looks totally embarrassed and apologizes to me.  What?  The Hottie is not glowing in adoration?  Really?

So then the  conversation begins…I was ready for the “I am wonderful and here is why” conversation…but much to my surprise he simply wanted to talk about me…every time I turned the conversation to him, he turned it back to me.  He listened to me, made intelligent comments and was extremely down-to-earth.  And wait, was that humor too?   The special self-deprecating, sarcastic kind that I adore.  Wow, I might just have to grudgingly accept his good looks as part of the package.

He called me the next day (or technically, the same day).  The same day?  Aren’t guys supposed to wait a couple days before they call?  It wasn’t that I was so amazing, he just doesn’t play games.  He isn’t fake, pretentious or arrogant.  He has worked hard for everything he has.  And deserves so much more.  He is my strength, my hero, my love, my life.  He is an amazing father to our two beautiful daughters and is the best person I have ever met.  Eighteen years later and here we are…I have gotten over him being prettier than me and have found that he hates being the center of attention.

I Love You, Ken!  Thank you! Happy Valentine’s Day!

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