"You've never been to PF Changs?"
"Nope, never. But I LOVE Chinese food."
"Well, we will definitely have to go when we get back to the states."
"...(blush)...okay"
This conversation on the rooftop of the Mission in Grande Goav, Haiti marked the beginning of a grande tradition in the Sawyer household. On that rooftop, Michael and I had our first real conversation about life as we began the "getting to know you" phasein our relationship. At that moment, it was only as friends. But by the plane ride home, it had become more than that. Michael did take me to PF Changs for our third or fourth date. On that date, he also asked me to be his girlfriend (It sounds very JR High when I type it). I wish to say that he asked me over our romantic dinner, but he claims he was too nervous. So, he waited. He waited until after dinner, after a stroll through the Indy canals, after the start of a movie at his house, and after I fell asleep. Mid-movie I stirred and the question came out. Since then, PF Changs has marked most significant points in our relationship. We go there for every anniversary and most birthdays. We went there for prom, we went there the night of our engagement, we went there after our wedding (I ate a total of three grapes at the reception and we were starving), we went there on our honeymoon, and I am sure we will continue to visit our sweet and sour chicken, kung pao chicken, and white rice for many years to come. Who knew from that first conversation five years ago that a tradition would be born.
