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one look at the above picture, you'll realize why I was so elated that
a hot and fancy babe like Christi went for me
in the first place. In fact, the way Christi beats on me for the clothes
I wear, you'd think I don't look much different today.
Anyway, June 10, 1995 was a day not unlike any other. I engaged in a competitive football game during the day but when I got home I remembered what I had to face that evening: the second wave of relentless weekend badgerings from my good buddy and groomsman Jeremy Kagan. Without failure, Jeremy would bullyrag me into spending money at least one of the two nights. That night, he had an extra ticket to "Taste of the South" and there was no getting out of it. As Jeremy and I wandered through the herd of southern Rush Limbaugh fans, we saw a lone white dress shining through the darkness of 1,000 black dresses. There, leaning against one of the National Building Museum's support columns, was a woman so beautiful that Jeremy and I struggled to form the right words. Finally, we found them: "Forget it, she'd never go for a couple of schmutzes like us." We walked on. A few minutes later, I saw an acquaintance of mine -- Ray Shepherd -- with whom I had interviewed with years ago. We talked for a bit and, as fate would have it, we ran into his friend -- Rochelle Goldman -- who was there with my future wife. After impressing Christi with observations like: "Your southern accent prohibits you from being a national broadcaster" and then turning my back to talk to an old friend, I figured she was in the bag. Of course, what a shock it was to see her long gone as I turned back around. Later, after searching in vain for my wingman Jeremy, I walked by Christi again. Swarmed by men, I timidly said something forgettable. Shockingly, she turned around and I was on. She was listening and I couldn't screw up. I don't remember what we talked about the rest of the evening, but we have rarely left each other's side since that moment. I am a very lucky man. |
Jim
and I met through mutual friends at a black tie called, "Taste of
the South" on June 10, 1995. I'm not sure if it was love at first
sight, but I remember thinking, "Now this is someone I wouldn't mind
getting to know." He was also one of the most handsome men I had ever
seen. "How lucky I was to have had this introduction," I thought.
Only moments after our introduction, however, Jim received a tap on the shoulder after only learning where I was from. The tap came from a pretty young woman, but I thought, "Okay, he's got his back turned to me now, but I'm sure he's only being polite and saying hello. He'll be back with me in a matter of moments, I'm sure." A matter of moments turned into an awkward amount of time. I mean here I am staring at this guy's back. I finally decided there was no hope of his return and found shelter at a nearby buffet table. At this point in the evening, the only memory I had of Jim Welfley, other than he had no interest in me whatsoever, was a tip he gave me after learning where I was from. He said, "With that southern accent, you'll never be a newscaster!" It was probably love at second sight for me. I saw Jim moving through the crowd later in the evening. He was heading in my direction and I thought, "Although in his mind I could never be a newscaster, perhaps he would still give a southern girl a chance." Well, I was right and we've been together ever since. Best of all, I'd rather be Mrs. Welfley than a newscaster any day!!! |
