Be Mine

Love is in the air … and the water, the soil, the airwaves, the print products. For this year’s Valentine’s Day issue, we bring you a package of stories: How to become ordained, online, so you can officiate your friends’ weddings. How to seduce your sweetheart — not just with cooking, but with how you garnish the dish. Also, Doug Stanhope, host of Comedy Central’s The Man Show, gives us his perspective on love and romance. Finally, we asked and you delivered: We’re printing your love stories.

Love story No. 1

I was working for a local accounting firm that was in need of a new copier. I was given the task of researching and purchasing the machine. I called several local office equipment vendors and each sent a salesman to convince me their machine was the perfect match for my needs. To be honest, most copiers are created equal but I quickly discovered all salesmen are not.

He walked in, looking very professional, and flashed his brilliant smile. Tall and handsome with incredible green eyes, I couldn’t believe my luck. During our initial meeting we talked at length about copiers but also about music, things to do in Indy and aquariums. He had a great sense of humor and even laughed at my corny jokes. I was trying not to flirt because that wouldn’t be professional. At the same time I was trying to send out the “I want to flirt with you” signal. I just had to find out more about this fascinating man.

The research went on for weeks. I called meeting after meeting. We discussed every possible feature you can get on a copier. We discussed toner and paper. We discussed the number of copies I thought I would make. We discussed after-the-sale service options. We discussed contract terms. Along the way we also discussed likes, dislikes, movies, kids, animals, summer and sports. All the while remaining very professional and businesslike.

Alas, buying a copier can’t take months. A decision had to be made. It was a no-brainer for me. I suggested to the owners that we purchase Mr. Right’s copier and they agreed. When I called to tell him he made the sale, he quickly said he’d stop by with the contract and buy me lunch to seal the deal.

Lunch was like a dream. We dropped the copier talk on the way to the restaurant and spent the next 60 minutes talking like we’d known each other forever. We had grown up in the same area. We even knew some of the same people. We had so many little things in common it was amazing. Most importantly, I felt 100 percent relaxed and myself with him. No pretense, no pretending to be something I wasn’t or trying to hide a flaw. I could have stayed all day but had to get back to work.

Back at the office, he walked me from the car to my desk. When we got there he looked me in the eye and said those magic words … “Will you have lunch with me again?” Two lunches became three, three became four. Within weeks we were inseparable. We were married nine months later. We’ll celebrate our 10th anniversary this year. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. And it keeps getting better.

—Melissa Webb

Love story No. 2

While I never placed an ad myself, when between relationships I would sometimes answer NUVO ads I found interesting. In May/June of 2002, I answered several ads, met a few nice guys, went out a few times. But there was one ad that I responded to that I didn’t hear back from.

The ad disappeared the next week. Disappointed, I assumed the guy had found another sweetie. A few weeks went by and then the ad reappeared!

I called the box number again and left a second message, saying, “This is my second call in answer to your ad. If you’re still looking, I think we might have some things in common … call me.” This time he called back, saying he hadn’t gotten the first message.

He seemed all right on the phone so we agreed to meet July 8 at Ale Emporium after work for a drink. When he walked up, I thought he looked pretty much as he’d described. We went in, had a glass of wine, ordered artichoke dip. He declared the artichoke “our vegetable.” Conversation was easy and he made me laugh. It turned out we live about 15 minutes away from each other and probably passed each other at the grocery store or gas station, but had never met.

When it was time to leave, we agreed we’d talk again. I thought he was nice, not exciting, but OK. He told me later he thought I was a little kooky and he noticed I had a big run in my hose. Well, not everything starts perfectly! But we talked again on the phone and a couple of weeks later went out on a real date to the Rathskeller. We sat on the patio, enjoying the beer and the music, the night and each other. When he took me home, he gave me a good-night kiss that I wasn’t expecting. That was the start of real sparks of interest in him for me. We kept dating and the more I got to know him, the more attractive he became — exciting even! On our one-year anniversary July 8, 2003, we went back to Ale Emporium, joking that it was the place where we’d met. But really it was NUVO that brought us together. Last year I wrote a NUVO Valentine ad for my Mr. Wonderful. This year I hope to again immortalize my gratitude to him and NUVO in print by way of this story. Because he continues to surprise and delight me, making me smile every day and holding me when things aren’t going well.

Did I know when I read his ad, or talked to him the first time or met him in person that he was the one? No, but now a year and a half later we’re still together. And he was worth the wait. No one out there has a better, smarter, more sensitive or romantic, stronger, more handsome or supportive, generous, fun or funny guy than I do. Thanks NUVO!

—Laura (and my sweetie is Scott)

Love story No. 3

I met my beloved on the Internet after joining a computer club. He lives in Saudi Arabia and my name caught his eye when he was reading postings to the club. Somehow, and neither of us know how, he found my MSN Messenger handle and started talking to me on there. This is not something I am accustomed to doing, so it was a very new experience for me. We then proceeded to talk online for a couple of months on and off, then by telephone for over a year until he came here to meet me. I am hopelessly in love. He was just here for a week, and I’m still floating around in orbit. He told some people when he was here that my name, Faris, had caught his eye since it is 100 percent Arabic. It means “cavalier” or strong horseman. Since I am part Lebanese, which he would not have known until I met him, I am also part Arabic. We are like long lost soulmates. Our love is steadfast and growing. It’s wonderful and I’m so very happy. We ask for prayers from all. Pray for us.

—Charlene Faris