Relationship Grit

Chapter 1 G = God

A cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Magical Moments

(Jon)

Relationships often begin with a fateful meeting, a chance encounter, butterflies in your stomach, or magical moments that cause your union to feel like a fairy tale. Meeting Kathryn was like that for me. I remember seeing her walk toward me. I was 24 years old and had just opened a bar/restaurant in Buckhead, Atlanta. I wasn't looking for a girlfriend. I was just standing outside the front entrance trying to get people to come into my bar so I could grow the business.

When Kathryn approached, I started talking to her. When she stopped, I looked into her eyes and told her she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. It wasn't a line. It was true. For me it was love at first sight. For her it took a while. She responded that I was handsome but then said she couldn't stay. She had to go home. She was on her way to her car after having dinner with a friend. I told her I was having a party Friday night at the bar and said she should come back. She promised she would and said goodbye. When she never showed up Friday night, I was mad at myself for not getting her number and wondered if I would ever see her again.

A week later I was attending the Taste of Atlanta charity event with my parents, who were in town visiting. We were walking around sampling dishes from the various food stations ...