The Story of How I Met Raymond

I can remember the excitement like it was yesterday!

First day of senior year. What a big deal!

The first class of the day was going to a breeze, not to mention it was packed with a ton of my friends. I plopped down in a desk right next to my bestie, Lauren.

We were giggling and chatting about the year to come all while glancing at the door to watch our classmates pour in.

With mostly familiar faces, our smiles grew wider in anticipation of our big senior year!

The bell was about to ring and in saunters a guy I didn't know. I knew of him as we ran in similar circles but I didn't actually know him.

I was perplexed by him. He was calm and cool. Very collected and sure of himself. He was sporting pleated khakis and Tommy Hilfiger loafers. My usual taste in guys had leaned more towards the pickup driving, boot wearing kinda fella in the past.

But there was something about this one. He sat next to several guys I knew.

Who is this dude?, I thought.

He was reserved and a little quiet, but not shy, you know. The days passed and I found myself in similar situations with him.

We had both joined the spanish club and we were both planting flowers out by the flagpole one cool fall day. He snapped photos of the tennis team for the yearbook.

He kicked off Friday night football tailgates; I just so happened to attend most of them.

Little by little, I was drawn in by his energy and his confidence. I needed to know more.

That perplexing, khaki loving guy was Raymond Grant.

And that is the story of how we met.