I’ve never been one for doing things in their proper chronology. I learned to walk before I learned to crawl. I did eventually learn to crawl, since it was necessary for various games and such, but I completely skipped over it as a method of locomotion, going straight from scooting around in a seated position to walking. I took classes at the local community college while I was in high school and received my Associates Degree the same week as I received my high school diploma. I entered university as a junior, but dropped out after a year and a half. Six years later I was accepted into a Master’s Degree program, although I still lacked a few credits necessary for my Bachelor’s Degree. I was supposed to finish them up during the summer, but I procrastinated and actually finished the four-year Master’s program before I received my Bachelor’s. When I mentioned to a friend that I was considering going back to school for a PhD he said, “are you sure you don’t want to do a post-doc first?”
I mention all of this only to illustrate that there’s nothing all that surprising (to me) about the fact that Bob and I were engaged before our first date. It fits right in with the pattern of my life. In fact, one of my friends, when I told her about the engagement, said, “this is perfectly insane, but it’s also perfectly in character. With anyone else I’d worry that they’d been brainwashed or something, but this is just so totally you.” So for those of you who’ve asked (and those of you who didn’t) – here’s the real timeline of what was going on behind the threads Bob and I posted about our relationship.
Relationship Timeline (Highlights)
Background: Bob and dkw had met twice in person, and spent an entire day together at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival last September. He also had dinner at her parents house that Friday and met both her siblings. And they’d been maintaining a fairly regular e-mail correspondence since December 2003.
February 17, 2004 – Bob sends dkw a letter, asking her if she would like to go on a date.
February 21, 2004 – Bob calls in to the Midwest Hatrack Gathering at dkw’s house. She hasn’t been to the post office since Wednesday, and thus hasn’t seen the letter. The phone is passed around and a good time is had by all.
February 22, 2004 – dkw still hasn’t been to the post office, but sends Bob an e-mail thanking him for calling and asking if she can call him later. He responds enthusiastically, but she falls asleep at 8:30pm, before receiving his reply.
February 23, 2004 – dkw still hasn’t been to the post office, but calls Bob to chat. After some conversation, he asks if she has received the postage check he sent for the books she loaned him. She says no. After more conversation, he tells her that in the letter accompanying the check, he asked if she would like to go on a date. She admits that she would like that very much.
February 25, 2004 – Bob arranges to extend an upcoming business trip to Chicago and drive over to Iowa on March 25 for a first date.
February 29, 2004 AM – Bob has breakfast with Icarus and Cor and tells them he and dkw are dating.
February 29, 2004, even later – on a long phone conversation, dkw and Bob admit that they are both thinking of this as more than a one-time date, and talk about what they want for the future and both confess, in a round-about way, that they’ve fallen in love with each other. Without ever actually saying it directly.
March 1, 2004, 6:00am – Bob sends dkw an e-mail reassuring her that he meant everything he said on the phone, and stating, directly, that he loves her, and that he hopes he isn’t going too fast and scaring her off.
March 1, 2004, 10:15am – dkw sends Bob an e-mail going even further, and hopes she isn’t going too fast and scaring him off.
March 1, 2004, 5:04pm – Bob sends dkw an e-mail beginning with the lines, “Okay, I'm not coming up there for a date anymore. I'm coming up to figure out how short an engagement we can have and still maintain your reputation in the community.”
March 1, 2004 – Farmgirl sends Bob an e-mail asking if he is who dkw is posting about.
March 2, 2004, AM -- dkw tells her parents she’s going to marry Bob.
March 2, 2004, PM – Tom D and Dan Raven figure out that Bob and dkw are posting about each other.
March 3, 2004 – katharina mis-reads a post and briefly thinks Bob and dkw are engaged. Much hilarity results from this at the Bob and dkw residences.
May 5, 2004 – dkw to Texas to meet Smokey (Bob’s, soon to be their, dog.)
July 1, 2004 – dkw and mom to California to meet Bob’s mom.
August 6, 2004 – Bob to Iowa. 6 month counseling session and wedding planning.
August 13-15, 2004 – KamaCon.
December 25, 2004 – Family Christmas at the dkw household (soon to be the Bob and dkw household).
April 2, 2005 – Wedding.
Ever After – Happiness. Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Yay for hapiness. Thank you for sharing that, Dana. Congratulations, again. Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Aww... that's adorable!
--
I knew it! I knew it I knew it I knew it. And Zal said real people didn't do that... *grin*
I'm so excited for all this. Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
YAYYYYYY!!! Best timeline ever!! It makes much more sense now. (laughs) Two days between when you decided to bridesmaid me and when I asked! SO AWESOME. (uses psychic powers to get the evening off of work)
I'm glad that you and Bob get to be happy, Dana. Your timeline makes it all make just a tidge more sense. Also I remember you guys talking about the ren fest, but I didn't realize quite that it was the MN one. You should come next year!! Hehehe. I love that fest. Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
This day just keeps on getting better...
<downs another glass of Dalwhinnie>
Posted by doobie (Member # 6422) on :
Wow, that's awesome!
What is the Minnesota Renaissance Festival? Is that one of those anachronism, dress-up things?
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Ryuko, we might not make it this year, but we’re definitely going to try. It’s become a special place to us, even though we didn’t know it at the time. That and garlic-almond-fudge-chip ice cream at Sebastian Joe’s.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
It's much more fun with all the details filled in.
on #4K
[ April 30, 2004, 05:14 PM: Message edited by: peterh ]
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
Congrats DKW.
On the 4000 posts.
I already sent congratz on the engagement.
I can see you two doing the happilly ever after thing.
The only thing that could have made the timeline better would be pirates. There just aren't enough pirates in it.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Look me up if you get there!!!!
Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Dan, the timeline is just the highlights. Some things are private. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Thanks, dkw. You know I wanted to see that. Too bad we can't string those on a to-scale timeline, to see graphically the times involved.
Congrats on 4000. When you and Bob get married, will we have to start summing your postcounts? Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
Congrats, Dana !
I must say, the upcoming events are really cool. Especially the "Ever After" thing. And with two people like you and Bob, I'm sure it's also veeeery doable ! Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
You two are so cute. I just bet there are any number of jaded hardnoses out there vomiting as we speak. Congrats on 4000, and, of course, right on.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Congratulations! Though I now realize I forgot about Bob coming to Salt Lake. Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 619) on :
I hope you don't mind me saying that I've always thought that both of you are some of the best members of Hatrack. So hearing that you two are going to tie the knot more than doubles my joy.
If you two are half as wonderful in real life as you are here on Hatrack, I'm sure you will have a grand life together.
Oooh--I'm so glad you found each other!
All my best to the both of ya.
Andrew
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Dana
Congrats on 4000!!!
And thanks for the timeline. I'd forgotten a few things.
The truly great thing is that the more I interact with Dana, the more I feel like this whole thing is way too slow!!!
I must remember to get a poofy-sleeved pirate shirt before this coming Wednesday. Arrr..
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
::swoons::
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
I have one, Bob! But I doubt it'd fit you...
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
Wow, what a way to meet somebody! You guys are both awesome people, and I hope you make each other very happy. Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
That explains a lot.
Congrats on 4000!
And good luck on your upcoming wedding!
Posted by Scythrop (Member # 5731) on :
Now that's an uplifting landmark
more and more congratulations, guys.
Posted by tonguetied&twisted (Member # 5159) on :
(((((Bob & Dana)))))
Aww. You guys are SO CUTE!
Congratulations on 4000, dkw. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
quote:I have one, Bob! But I doubt it'd fit you...
Ryuko, I have a feeling that the only thing better than a poofy-sleeved pirate shirt would be a slightly ripped open poofy-sleeved pirate shirt.
Of course, I'd owe you a new shirt afterwards...but it'd be worth it!!!
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Awwww... Now I'm sad. I meant to go to the drag ball at my school tonight, where I was going to dress as Captain Jack Sparrow. But I forgot I had to work so now I'm miserable at work... Without my pirate shirt.
..I blame Bob for depressing me. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Go back and reread the first post. That should cheer you right up. Posted by BelladonnaOrchid (Member # 188) on :
Congradulations Bob and dkw (and especially dkw for your landmark)!
May the Gods smile on your marriage for the rest of your years together!
Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :
Everytime I thing about you two it fills me with hope for the future. Good things do happen to nice people.
Happy 4000th
EDIT: corrected so it actually means something.
[ April 30, 2004, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: cochick ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
That's a lot of posts, Dana. Happy landmark!
Posted by Nick (Member # 4311) on :
I pray God blesses your marriage. Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Maybe it's just cause I'm a girl...but I just love hearing the details (with dates and times attached) of a meeting, courtship, and successful falling in love. I sit with my chin in my hand and just smile...that's actually how I just read this post. Thanks dkw for satisfying my girly need for the details and for sharing your happiness with us.
And thank you Bob for being a necessary part of all of that too. Posted by Zotto! (Member # 4689) on :
Er...I guess I'm a girly kinda guy, because I feel the same way, Narnia. <laugh>
dkw, you and Bob are SO ridiculously cute. Thank you both for being here. Posted by MaydayDesiax (Member # 5012) on :
(((((Bob and Dana)))))
You people HAD to do this when I gave up Hatrack for Lent!
Of course, when Bernard told me (he made me think that the two of you had eloped, at the time), my first reaction was: "And when did they date?"
Now I know. Thanks Dana!
Congrats on 4000, finding Bob and for getting your happy ever after.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
You two were sneaky.
In a good way!
Congrats on 4000 dkw - and here's hoping that your post rate and posting don't decrease once you're dks.
[ May 01, 2004, 05:00 AM: Message edited by: imogen ]
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
quote:Maybe it's just cause I'm a girl...but I just love hearing the details (with dates and times attached) of a meeting, courtship, and successful falling in love.
Me too. Usually I hide that side of me by inserting the barfing icon, but among you guys, I'll admit I'm a sucker for stories of good people falling in love with each other.
-Beren
[ May 01, 2004, 08:41 AM: Message edited by: vwiggin ]
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I can only echo AndrewR's sentiments here. Knowing that the two of you found each other makes the world a brighter place.
My goodness, such love brimming over in your photograph. Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :
There's only so many ways I can find to express how highly I think of both of you, and how thrilled I am for you as well. And I can't wait until you eventually move to Florida!
A correction:
quote:February 29, 2004 AM – Bob has breakfast with Icarus and Cor and tells them he and dkw are dating.
No. Bob has breakfast with Icarus and Cor and tells them he's dating somebody from Hatrack. Icarus offers to guess who in twenty questions, and gets it in three. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
What were the first two?
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I stand corrected. Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :
Kama, I think it was something like: 1) Did ClaudiaTherese have anything to do with this? 2) Does she live in the midwest? and 3) Is she a minister?
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Ic, could you send me Cor’s e-mail address? I need to poll the females in the wedding party on some costuming issues. (This is turning into such a production, I’m glad we have lots of theatre people involved )
Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :
Why don't you IM me?
(PepeIcaro)
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Hmm. Will take a minute. I haven't done any IMing since I got this computer.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Icarus really had it in two, but wasted another question to get confirmation before guessing.
The only thing more fun than sharing this relationship with Jatraqueros is sharing it with dkw.
Oh wait, she's a Jatraquera too!
It's all good!
dkw
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Sorry Icarus, I couldn't get AIM to work.
Bob: Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Dana, that's so great ! Congatulations for your landmark, and to both of you for the wedding ! I will tell you in one week how it feels to be married Best wishes, all the hapiness you want !
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
I have been debating mentioning this, but why not. Its my way of going for "Best Thread Killing" award.
Was there anyone else who had a quick fear when they read:
quote: I’ve never been one for doing things in their proper chronology.
In a thread by an engaged woman, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when they speak on "Not in their proper chronology."
Or was I the only one that thought "baby?"
I knew better. That is not something I would expect from Dana or Bob before the wedding. It just crossed my mind for a moment, and I'm so ashamed.
The more I got to think about it, the more I realize that it does fit into Dana's wacky sense of timing.
I mean in this day and age, a woman who walks before she crawls, graduates high school and college the same fortnight, and gets engaged before her first date must be totally out of whack with expected chronolgy. What is more out of whack in today's world than waiting until after the wedding to consumate it.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Now Dan, Lavalamp told you, the baby's not due until July 2006. It's a compromise between Bob's much abused "three year plan" and my tendency to muck up timelines as much as I kill timepieces.
Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
Dana,
thanks for the timeline. What made it even more entertaining is that I actually followed most of it as you and Bob teased us all with it. You two have come close to revealing me a few times as a closet romantic here at work as I've sat here grinning at the messages. Someone comes along, sees the grin, and I quickly close the screen.
Of course, now I don't know what they're thinking, but anything is better than having my inner romanticism revealed.
Good on you for not paying attention to chronology!
*self-serving statement by someone similarly disconnected from conventional chronological patterns*
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Oh man! I have to bump this, because you posted it late Friday, and I didn't see it until this morning at work.
I just LOVE your timeline -- especially because it appears I was one of the first to figure it out, and also because he proposed to you (first date) on my birthday!
That just made my year all better.
Farmgirl
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Mmmmm. Young love! Is there anything more precious?
Dagonee
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
quote: Now Dan, Lavalamp told you, the baby's not due until July 2006. It's a compromise between Bob's much abused "three year plan" and my tendency to muck up timelines as much as I kill timepieces.
Judging by the way you've mixed up all the other timelines in your life, the phrase "immaculate conception" comes to mind.
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YAYYYYYY!!! Best timeline ever!! It makes much more sense now. (laughs) Two days between when you decided to bridesmaid me and when I asked! SO AWESOME. (uses psychic powers to get the evening off of work)![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
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