This story is a homework assignment from my memoir writing class. I thought I'd share it with all of you.

Let me tell you a story, not just any story, but a love story about how a man and a woman became as one.

From 1980-1997 I was employed at the Binghamton Psychiatric Center (BPC) as an inpatient and as an outpatient in the "work for pay" department. One of my first jobs at BPC was a busboy in the Community Store, where I emptied ashtrays, swept floors and took out the trash. In August 1996 after my manager, Beverly, transferred to the nursing department, I was promoted to manager.

One day I received a phone call from John (my manager before Beverly), who had come out of retirement from BPC, and was now working in the cafeteria at the Broome Developmental Center (BDC), wanting to know if I would like to work for him again. I didn't hesitate and with a resounding voice said yes!!

I left BPC on February 27, 1997 for a new, challenging career. Little did I know how much of an impact this new job would have on the rest of my life. Early in 1999 John left BDC when he developed cancer. He passed away shortly after. Once again I was promoted to the title and responsibility of manager of the cafeteria.

In December 1997, while working the cash register, a customer (Margaret) asked if I was going to the upcoming holiday party. Since I had no wife or girlfriend at the moment, I said no. Her face lit up like a Christmas Tree and asked if I would go with her, to which I said yes. On the night of the party our co-workers were suprised when Margaret and I showed up. After dinner was served I asked Margaret if she'd like to slow dance (Lord knows I can't dance fast). When we hit the dance floor, she gently put her head on my right shoulder, as we swayed back and forth. This was nothing short of magical. It was "love at first dance."

The next day at work we were the "talk of BDC." Many customers asked Jim, my assistant, how long Margaret and I were together. He was just as clueless as everyone else. That still makes me smile how we suprised everyone.

New Year's Eve 1999, Margaret invited me over for dinner at her house. She cooked steak and baked potatoes (she didn't know that I don't like baked potatoes, the steak was good though!). After dinner we walked downtown arm in arm to watch the fireworks and bonfire. When the New Year arrived we kissed (our first of many). On the walk back to the house she asked if I'd like to spend the night, I surprised her saying "I brought my clothes!"

Sadie Hawkins Day has always been a day where I hoped that a woman would ask me out. I told myself many times if that ever happened it would be true love. February 29, 2000 my wish came true. I checked my work emails, there was one from Margaret in which she wrote "I don't want to have to wait another four years..will you marry me?" I was very much in love with her, yet I wanted to know if the proposal was "real". I called my friend Dick in the mailroom to come over to my office. After I showed him the email and told him my concern he said "I'll be right back." He went to Margaret's office to find out what was going on. When came back he reported "yes its true." I emailed her "Yes!!! I will marry you!!