How I came to meet Victoria: Our friend, Paige Sprincin, introduced us at a fundraiser she was hosting for cat awareness month [VVR edit: it was school supplies for children in Afghanistan]. Paige was well short of her quarterly matchmaking quota at that point.
My first impression of Victoria was: STOP. Think very carefully about how you're going to romance this woman.
What I thought her impression of me was: Her expression seemed to say, “I have perhaps ninety seconds for your idle chit-chat, then I’m back to standing somewhere else.”
What we talked about: How I was a very hairy baby. [VVR edit: Utterly false! We talked about how his name was “Bob” and not “Rob”, and then he invited me to his ski house which I thought was quite forward of him.]
What I said to other people about her afterwards: She is what I want.
How I followed up after meeting her: I accepted her unexpected Facebook friend request. Then I proceeded to prove that one must not court his dream woman via Facebook (or whilst simultaneously driving in rush-hour traffic, or whilst patronizing smoky lounges.)
How long I waited to see her again: There were two unplanned VVR sightings a few weeks later while skiing near Lake Tahoe. (She still insists she did not notice me looking at her, despite the fact that I was standing right in front of her both times.) But after that it was about a year and a half, thanks to her romantic obligations.
Where I saw her again: At another fundraiser, this time to support octogenarian forklift operators. [VVR edit: It was to raise money so a hospital could buy a new MRI machine]
What I said to her when I saw her again: Drat, I came here with a date. [VVR edit: He did not say “drat”]
What she said to me: Do you have to leave with her?
What we did on our first date: First: We snuck out of the fundraiser separately in order to rendezvous at our favorite late-night restaurant. Second: We had a midnight dinner at that restaurant. Third: We competed against one another on the jungle gym, monkey bars and swings at a neighborhood playground until approximately 5 am.
My favorite part of the night was: Our smooch on the jungle gym.
Length of time we've been together: Over two-and-a-half years.
Places we've travelled together: San Diego, New York, Orlando, Jamaica, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Martha's Vineyard, Hanover, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Santa Inez, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Oakland.
Favorite 3 memories:
My favorite memories with Victoria tend to involve surprising her in some way.
Memory #1 proposing at the top of a snowy mountain (after feigning foot pain on account of my new ski boots, then getting down on one knee). Victoria kept repeating, ‘Are you serious?! Are you serious?!’ I said, ‘Yes. But please answer my question.’ Her confusion and astonishment and happiness was really fun to watch.
Memory #2 Valaer’s surprise visit during Victoria’s birthday dinner in San Francisco last year. Valaer flew in from New York, took a cab to our restaurant and hid in the back. I pretended to be drunk, and asked Victoria to step outside with me for fresh air. When we walked back in, Valaer was sitting at our table. Victoria gasped, cried, and laughed–again, very entertaining to watch.
Memory #3 Driving to Mount Shasta together, discussing our favorite names. I suppose Victoria was surprised that I was willing to think about babies so soon after we started dating.
The first time I knew I wanted to marry her was: July 2013, right before I visited her family in Martha’s Vineyard for the second time. I knew I wanted to be with Victoria forever, that I was ready for her and that Robby would probably like me more if we showed up engaged. I waited a few extra months just to be sure.
The first person I told of my intent was: Enrique Landa, who corroborated my hunch that Robby would be more welcoming if I made clear my long-term plans with his daughter.
How I asked her father: Over a few glasses of Macallan 15 in his study at the van Roijen home in Orlando. I had sent Robby an e-mail the previous week saying that I would be in Florida for work, and that I wanted to stop by to say hello. His short response – ‘Look forward to seeing you Thursday. Hope you will spend the night.’ – seemed to indicate either that he was indifferent to my visit, or that he knew exactly what I was up to. When I showed up, Susan and Robby gave me a warm welcome and almost immediately suggested I join Robby alone in his study. I knew he was wise to my motives. We made small talk for about 15 minutes when I said, ‘Robby, do you know why I’m here?’ to which he responded, ‘yes, Bob, I think I know why you’re here.’ I smiled and asked his permission. After our man-talk, we walked back to the kitchen where Susan was waiting and Robby announced me, ‘Sweetheart, meet your new son-in-law!’
How I picked the ring: Victoria started to politely suggest ring styles last September, and then e-mailed me a photo featuring a beautiful sapphire ring. She nailed it on the first try. I then spent the next five months trying to find the perfect version.
How I proposed to her: see above
What she said: see above
What I'm most looking forward to about being married to Victoria: Her unwavering love and support and belief in me. Working on projects together. Sharing and debating child-rearing strategies. Cooking dinner while listening to BBC World Service. Watching old episodes of South Park together. Snuggling.
COMMENTS? ADDITIONS?
MAKE YOUR VERSION OF THE STORY KNOWN!