A Day to Remember...

Today is September 11, 2008. President Bush has declared today Patriot Day. Seven years ago our world changed. Please remember those who lost their lives on this date. Please remember those who have fought to keep our country safe from more terror attacks.

There is one other thing I remember about September 11, 2001. It is much less significant in the eyes of the world, but I guess you could say that it also changed my life.

I met Ryan for the first time that day. I was a first year teacher, fresh from college. It was only my 6th day teaching. I had no idea what to think about the terror attacks of that day, and I was unable to answer my students' questions about the World Trade Centers.

I worked with Ryan's mom and Ryan came to visit her because he wanted to be near family that day. The P.E. teacher, Mr. Funkhouser, ask Ryan if he would go answer student questions in the new teacher's classroom. Ryan told me that he had it all planned out what he was going to say to the students, but then forgot once he got into my room and saw me for the first time (evidently it was love at first sight for him :) ). To be honest, I don't "really" remember Ryan from that day, I was a little overwhelmed. I do remember him leaving the room and the students asking me, "what did he just say?" My response was somewhere along the lines of, "I have no clue!"

I did not know about Ryan's "instant love," but 5 months later we did go on our first date. :)

This story was one that has always made both of us smile. It makes me smile today.