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How I met Jeff.. (Part 1)

The story of how I met my husband, Jeff is both hilarious and sweet. I’m so thankful for both time and fate because if it weren’t for the two…
we would have never met.
The pre Jeff line up of events had to occur in order for us to meet.

A few facts… I grew up on the East Coast and went to college there as well. 

During this time, my younger sister, Betsy (above) was at school at USC in Los Angeles.

Our story begins during my sophomore year of college when I was visiting my sister at USC during my Spring break. While at lunch one day I happened to spot a gorgeous guy from across the campus and immediately pointed him out to Betsy and her girlfriends. My sister nonchalantly said, “Oh..that guy is some athlete. He is training for the Olympics or something..”  All I remember is jumping up to grab another soda just so I could stand next to him while he was getting a refill. I remember trying to act all calm, cool and collected while standing next to him but none of that really mattered… he never gave me a second glance. lol

The cute guy in question (Doug) 

Two weeks after my trip my sister called me at school and said, “Hey, do you remember that guy you thought was so cute? I was working the Madonna concert the other night (for her Sorority I think) and he came backstage and introduced himself to me. He asked me out!”
(This was right around the time Madonna began to get popular..
It was Spring of 1984)

It took me a minute to register what she was saying…
I then said, “Wait a minute! My guy asked you out?” LOL!
(Funny because I had a boyfriend in college at the time…
in my defense, I was just looking and he was very cute)

Betsy & Doug 

Fast forward two years… Betsy and Doug (the cute guy in question) are now officially boyfriend/girlfriend.
During my Senior year of college I returned to LA for my last Spring Break to watch Doug at a big track meet with my family. He was training for the Olympic Trials (pole vaulting for track and field) and my parents had just moved to Santa Barbara… All was right in the world!  I loved California.
As I was sitting in the stands watching him I couldn’t help but notice another guy standing on the field recording Doug jumping.
Mind you.. I still had a boyfriend back East.
I turned to Betsy and asked, “Who is that cute guy recording Doug?”.
I had a thing for cute California guys I guess..
She said, “That is one of Doug’s four brothers!”

My family and I the day I met Jeff.. (The hair..so 80’s!) 

Jeff when I met him..

Four brothers?! I couldn’t believe Doug had four brothers and my sister had never told me until that very moment. At this point in time they had been dating for two years…

***Before I go any further in my story I have to disclose that my BF back at school and I had been dating for 3+ years and I cared a great deal for him.  That being said… as is often the case with college relationships,
both he and I were outgrowing one another.
We adored each other but I think it was obvious… at least it was to me at the time that we weren’t meant to be together forever. During this Spring Break, after noticing Jeff…  I knew I needed to break up with my bf once I returned to school. I cared for him far too much to not break up with him if that makes any sense. I have to be honest however, it took me a couple of months to go through with it once I got back. I felt horrible but I did it.***

Back to the meet…
While my family and I were watching all the Olympians work out ( Jackie Joyner Kersee, Carl Lewis, etc.) Doug walked over to us during a break. It was then that Betsy mentioned that I had noticed Jeff and was dying to meet him. Doug’s respose?  “Ohhhhhh no.. Nooooo way are you meeting Jeff!”
He was adamant for a couple of reasons…

A. I had a boyfriend. True. I had not broken up with my boyfriend as of that moment but in my defense all I wanted to do was meet Jeff and say hello.  ;)
Then he said there was no way Jeff would ever be interested in me. Ha!

B. He said it would be weird for two brothers from one family to date two sisters from another family… It sounded too much like a Lifetime movie. Alright… I’ll give him that but I still wanted to meet Jeff.

Betsy decided to take matters into her own hands and played matchmaker by introducing us.
Suffice it to say, that night we all went to dinner… my parents included.
Of course I strategically placed myself directly across from Jeff where I proceeded to talk his head off all night. (poor guy!)

Long story short.. Once I graduated a couple of months later, I broke up with my ex and moved to Santa Barbara to be near my family.
In that time period Jeff discovered that I was single and living in California. The next thing you know… he called me and asked me out!

This picture was taken on our second date… exactly one year after our first date.

You will have to stay tuned until next week to find out what happened between dates 1 and 2 and why it took me an entire year to go out with Jeff again…

One thing is for certain… you never would have believed after our 2nd date occurred that we would be married just 5 months later.

Click here for PART 2 of our love story.

xo,
Kristy

Click here for our Infertility and In Vitro Story

Click here to read a little more about me and my family.

Thoughts?

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77 thoughts on “How I met Jeff.. (Part 1)”

  1. Oh my goodness Kristy – this is just too too exciting – and HOW much does Jeff look like Paul Newman in that first photograph – Woo Hoo!!! xxx

    Reply

    1. Hi Paula,
      People have told Jeff that for years. I think it makes him feel good ;) He really is a cross between Richard Gere & Paul. So sweet of you to read our story.. Hugs!

      Reply

    1. Hi Kathy,
      There is actually 5 boys and 1 girl in the family, and all are about a year and a half apart. Jeff was the middle boy, and no, he went to San Diego State University. He was just there recording his brother’s jumping for the coaches! Hugs

      Reply

    1. Lea, You are so sweet! I had to break it into parts so I didn’t put anyone to sleep.. Lol. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.. have a great day :)

      Reply

  6. Two comments… love how blue-eyed sis ended up with brown-eyed Doug… and brown-eyed you ended up with blue-eyed Jeff. You mentioned you were in college… was Jeff also?

    Second, when I first started following you, I honestly thought you two were newly weds… either later in life married… or second marriages. I can’t wait to read the rest of the story, Kristy!

    Reply

    1. Hi Jaime!
      Too funny.. Jeff and I both have blue eyes actually but all the pics I chose you can’t really see them. Lol at 80s cameras. Jeff is a couple years older than me, but because he paid his way through college, we graduated at the same time. He went to San Diego State University. If I were being honest, I still feel like a newlywed with Jeff. He is such a generous and kind person who is always so supportive. We have been through so many different things together, I can’t imagine not having him by my side. Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting.

      Hugs, xx.

      Reply

    1. Hi Becky,
      Cameras stunk back then. And also, no one used to take selfies! Because Jeff & I were often off doing things together without others, we never thought to take pictures of ourselves. So many missed moments.. oh well, making up for it now!

      Thanks for dropping by,
      Kristy

      Reply

  12. Love reading about you, Jeff , Emma, and Maggie! Can’t wait for part 2. I love seeing your beautiful home and garden! Cheers! ?

    Reply

  13. Great story but now I am also intrigued as to what happened with your sister and Doug? I don’t think they are still together?

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  14. Great story but now I am also intrigued as to what happened with your sister and Doug? I don’t think they are still together?

    Reply

  16. I am one of those that requested this story. I am so happy you posted the beginning of your love story. I can’t wait to hear part 2. Jeff is truly a gem, but so are you. I will be anxiously awaiting the continuation. Betsy and Doug…… enquiring minds want to know.

    Reply

  17. Hi Kristi – I also love love love romance, destiny and a very beautiful love story, with that truly enjoyed chapter 1. You and your family are so kind, loving and so sweet you share what you love with all of us…as I always say you inspire me. Loved the pictures (Jeff does look like paulN and has resemblance of RichardG!! ?
    ?Mena ??

    Reply

  22. You guys are delightful together. I have been divorced for along time, raising my kids alone , two of three are now in college……so no dating…You guys give me hope!! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Such a cliffhanger!!! Can’t wait for part 2. What a special journey to find each other!!! You two were so cute then and still look great today!!!

    Reply

  25. Ah, the suspense! You both have not aged a bit. Quite a timeless pair you both are. I am so excited for part 2!

    Reply

    1. Aww Ken… I’m honored you read our story and left a comment!! Wish you were going to London with us again. It won’t be the same without you!! ;) Hugs

      Reply

  28. So I loved it! Because you are answering what I always wondered, how did they meet. And a cross between Paul and Richard is exactly what he is. And you, you are a Barbie doll. Trying to be patient for part two and three! And I love his cooking segments!

    Reply

  31. Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to read the rest of the story!! Y’all are SOOOO cute! On a side note, my sister and I married brothers! Our kids are double cousins. Sadly, one of us got divorced but we all still get along and the story makes a great conversation. LOL!!

    Reply

  34. Kristy,

    This is such a wonderful story. Everything happens for a reason and timing is so important. I love following you on Instagram. You and Jeff are so sweet together. Emma is gorgeous and I think she looks just like your sister.
    Enjoy your hols.

    Gabs

    Reply

  36. I just got caught up with this story…and how ironic!!! My sister and I are also married to brothers… In my defense, I found the first brother and she met his brother right before we got married. LOL!!! Isn’t it fun to catch peoples reaction when you are all 4 out together and people ask whose related… their faces are always priceless! Thank you for the story and the pictures. So much fun!!! Takes me back…

    Reply

  41. Omg, Kristy! Love this… I felt like I was reading one of my favorite romance novels from my teenage years, lol. Can’t wait to read/hear the rest. I’m just catching up from the weekend. You two are such a cute couple and I enjoy watching your chemistry on ig. Thank you for sharing your story!.

    Reply

  43. Can’t wait for the rest of the story. I love it so far.
    You guys are such a beautiful couple .
    Greetings from Costa Rica

    Reply

  44. That was an amazing story! Truly meant to be together. So nice to see a beautiful couple. Love your Instagram so much. You are both such an inspiration. 🥰

    Reply

  47. Such a beautiful story. I love you’re energy during you’re post. Thank you for sharing and showing you’re light

    Reply

  48. How cute! I experience something similar when I met my husband lol there’s nothing wrong with looking while dating. Once married, my eyes are shut lol

    Reply
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