History - Part 1

I had had a little contact with Melissa before late June, 2004. The first time I met her was before a 180 service some time in November when she asked me for some of my French fries (I was unaware of her love affair with French Fries at that time). I saw her a few more times before and during 180 although I kept my distance, in case you haven’t noticed she’s a very pretty girl, and I didn’t want to compete with anybody I called my friend. I had more excuses to talk with her after she agreed to go to Ensenada with our youth group for a short term mission trip.

She called me once on the phone to ask me some questions about Mexico paper work while I was on my way to ski. I saw her again at the 180 immediately following that trip and got to describe a really spectacular wipe out I’d had where I notched my sunglasses with my ski and split my forehead open, if I put the glasses on you could see the line of the ski. All of this making me look very manly of course. She found me again after a Saturday night practice for Esperanza Viva during our lasagna feed, and accused me of eating every time she saw me. The next time we saw each other was when Melissa came into church before youth group, Andrea Starkey and I were sitting there and she talked to us for a few minutes, after she’d gone Andrea had this big smile on her face and gave me a look and told me that Melissa’s smile ‘just lit up the room.’ I asked her what she meant by that and she just smiled and I chided her for trying to hook me up. I called her one other time from my parents' house, her older brother answered and was a little hostile when I asked for Melissa. She had just been spared being stationed in Fresno and told me all about it, I didn't know quite how to respond, but I was on the phone with her for a few minutes and they (parents, sisters, Nate? Frances?) started giving me crap when I came back in. I saw her again at the pre-trip meeting and all I really remember was how much of an older sister she seemed to Roberto.

On the morning we left for México I was really happy when she decided to come down in my AC-less car then talked to me. Everyone else went to sleep but Melissa stayed up and talked to me. We talked about tennis, my coming to Christ, her commitment to Christ. We talked about cultural Christianity, I had just seen Saved! and how it had affected me and disturbed me about how the world views us, and really how we act. We talked about school, her job, my degree and job and the disparity there. I had really only been working with Pete for five months at the time and was enjoying myself but wanted a legitimate job, etc. etc. It was a lot more fun than a day long car ride without AC down I-5 had any right to be.

She worked hard in Mexico, I liked that, and she helped lead the work and the kids, I liked that too. We talked a lot more, although I don't really remember about what we talked about down there in at the Rancho Refugio. Only that she still makes fun of me for describing cybernetic monkey arm experiments. She thinks I’m crazy, but we’ll see who laughs last when the chimps come for us. Anyway we had fun down there.

On our way back I had to return the van and get another one and it took all afternoon, I did get to relax in the hot tub with her and others, after sitting in traffic for several hours, and apparently after a conversation with Jackson... Thanks Jackson. (This is Melissa. For your information, I did not answer any of Jackson’s questions. He takes credit for getting us together, but I don’t. Sorry Jackson, you are still my friend) We did the dishes at the Stramecki’s house and she insisted that I moisturize my hands, but that was just an excuse so she could touch me I know. (Melissa again, his hands were really dry it looked like they were cracking.) Scott walked into the room and saw Melissa rubbing my hands, gave us a look, and walked out. That’s right Scott. We tried to stay up and watch the Rundown, but didn’t make it.

The next morning we came home from San Diego. We drove north then, fortified by coffee, everyone slept a lot. She stayed up again and talked to me, and then rested on me when she put your feet out the window (she’s pretty short) this drew an 'aww' from Joel, who I think was jealous. She went to sleep near the end of Hwy 152, only to be awakened by a really loud big rig two minutes later and freak out, I thought it was funny.

Back in Fremont I wanted to ask her out, but she ran inside to get her nephew Danny, her brother came out and Jackson was there too, so that was a bust. Thanks again Jackson. Thankfully she came to church that night, after which she threw her hands up in the air and declared that she smelled pretty. I thought to myself that this was definitely the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. We went in her car to Sweet Tomatoes, Kara rode in the car, once again someone cutting in on any chance I had. At the restaurant we didn’t sit together, I sat over with the Voses and the interns. Finally she escaped from Nick and Jared and I escaped from the teenage girls, covertly *cough* working our way together. Julia was looking out for me that night because when we wanted to go she made sure Kara knew that she would take her home. Thanks Julia.

That was the first alone time I'd had with her ever I think. We talked about the hole in Juan, a joke which I still think is funny, but none of you will ever hear. Back at church (where my car was waiting) she threw something at me that hit me in the eyeball. Alright- sympathy points. I told her that I had had a really good time over the week and asked her if I could take her out on a date some time. Some time soon. She said yes.