TAKING THE RISK

THE STORY:
When I first got to college, I had never had a boyfriend before. Not to say I hadn't tried. I could list the major crushes I'd had in high school to my new friends and watch them laugh sympathetically with me at how completely depressing my stories were. So by the time I got to college, I was a little desperate. I started half- crushing on any guy I met, much to my embarrassment. But, through an incredibly complicated series of events, I met him-- "Ben". His roommate, "Ray", was in my Shakespeare class. So, whenever we would invite "Ray", "Ben" would come along. The more I got to know "Ben", the more I realized he was everything I was looking for in a guy. He was nice, smart, funny, sweet, didn't party, and loved the same online cartoon I did. So one day after class, I stopped by their room randomly to "wish Ray good luck on his interview later that day" and acted completely surprised that Ben was there! Oh yeah, he lived there too! So the three of us hung out, and when Ray left for his interview and I offered to leave, but Ben asked me to stay for dinner. I left his dorm hours later. The next day he casually mentioned how hanging out with me was the high point of his week. So the day after, when Ben was at work, and I was hanging out with Ray, I left a note for Ben asking him out on that Saturday. He called me later that night to say yes. We've been happily involved for three months now. I couldn't ask for a better man.

- University of Wisconsin

THE STORY:
I met my boyfriend at work, but was dating another guy at the time. I was a little interested in him, but for some reason I felt I had to be loyal to the jerk I was with at the time. Well ,that guy dumped me a little after standing me up on Valentine's Day, and two weeks later I went on a date with this work crush. I didn't want anything serious because I was still hurting from the break-up, but sitting around and moping was not something I needed to be doing. I agreed to the date, and had a great time. Sparks flew, and three years later we are still together and happier than ever. We had our struggles, he went away to college and we did two years of long distance, which was really hard, but what relationship doesn't take work? When I look back I don't regret a thing and I am really glad that I went on that date because I think I found the guy that I could spend the rest of my life with.

THE STORY:
I was in a college out on a date with a guy who had graduated a year before me. He actually took me out to dinner which never happens in college. After we went on our date, we went to a bar. When we arrived at the bar, there was this guy in the bar that I’d never seen before. He was hotter than shit. I swear to God, I’ve never seen anyone so hot in my life. I didn’t even know if he’s talk to me. I was standing at the jukebox when he came up behind me. He was so drunk that I couldn’t understand a word he said. He was only there because he was at a concert and his friends ditched him. He was in mile 2 of an 8 mile walk and stopped by the bar for a break. Well, I took him home that night. In the morning, I noticed that he was still cute. He invited me to lunch at his place later that day. I went to his house and he’s not there. I wait 20 minutes. I feel like an asshole. I drove away, but stopped a few blocks down the road --- I decided to turn around and leave a note. It’s at that moment that I changed my life. The note wasn’t bitchy, it just told him that we were having fun and his not showing up didn’t leave the best impression (this was before cell phones and email). Later that night, he called me. I don’t remember if he apologized, but five years later we got married. Another risk, he wasn’t a student, he wasn’t in my social circle, he wasn’t to type. We’ve been married for 13 years.

THE STORY:
It was a Wednesday and I was having a pretty bad night. All I wanted was some Ben and Jerry's. Much to my surprise, they had none in our cafe. I turned around to find the hot new manager, Brian. I told him about my bad night, how I was having problems with my ex-boyfriend and how the guy I was interested in at the time didn't want anything to do with me and so on. He promised he would have some Ben and Jerry's for me the next day. Thursday came and I was debating about whether or not to take a bus to see my ex and patch things up. I decided against it. My best friend told me to come to see Harlan Cohen, who was performing that night at our college. I had a good feeling about that night so I got all dolled up and headed out. Wouldn't you know that I would see Brian setting up some food for Harlan's performance? Brian told me he had the ice cream for me and that I should come get it later. I asked him, "Where do you draw the line between saving a relationship and letting go?" He responded, "If you have to ask this question, then let go." I was a little disappointed, but I made a pact with myself at that moment that I would let my ex go and move on for good. After watching Harlan, we all went out to dinner with him and it was a blast. I then went back to the cafe to get my Ben and Jerry's from Brian. He snuck in the back and brought out my favorite flavor. Attached was a little folded note and I got so excited. I ran back to my room to read, "Jessica, It's the little things in life that put smiles on faces. I hope this puts a smile on yours. Any guy that 'doesn't want anything to do with you' is a damn fool. -Brian" Little did I know that this night would have led to so much more. I left my ex for good and Brian ended his bad relationship as well. We were immediately attracted to each other and had this connection that neither of us could explain. We've been together ever since... and actually told each other we love each other just a few days ago. We never stop smiling or laughing when we're around each other. He makes me feel like I am on top of the world. The past 4 months have truly been some of the happiest in my life. Sure, there were some bumps along the way but it only makes a relationship stronger. I honestly could not be happier and I truly believe I found the man who can make me most happy in this world. Who knew? Maybe if it weren't for Harlan knocking some sense into me, I wouldn't be with the wonderful guy I am with now.