Internet Romance
The story of how we met!
(Part 1)
Written by Abby
Derek and I met online (using the mIRC chat program) in April or May 1997. We used to visit the same chat room on the undernet server. Well, we chatted for quite a few months. In August 1997, the channel had a get together on Cape Cod (where I’m from), and we had a great time!
Little did we know how the other person felt about "us". Well, there was no "us" at that time, but in time that would certainly change! After the get together was over, and everyone was heading back to where they live, I realized that I had fallen hard! I couldn't stop thinking about this guy! I should probably mention that Derek is in the Navy, and that he was heading back to the USS Enterprise for a short deployment (9 days).
I had this silly, little stuffed penguin that Derek gave to me at the get together, and I put it on my monitor while I was on the computer, then when I went to bed I put it on my nightstand. Then, after a few days... I started putting the penguin on my pillow. I finally got up the nerve to e-mail Derek and thank him for the great time we had on the Cape, and for the silly penguin! Well, the boat pulled back in for a quick, unexpected stop (overnight) back in Norfolk, Virginia (the ship's home) and Derek had received my e-mail!! And, he sent one back! We got chatting that evening, and with the help of a few friends hitting us with 2x4's, we finally realized that there was something between us! So, we started making plans for Derek to come up and visit me on Cape Cod in September.
Well, the next day, they went back to sea again... but, only for a few more days! And, while Derek was at sea this time, he called me from the boat! But, alas... I was working. But, he left the sweetest message on the answering machine for me. And, we continued chatting online, when the boat pulled back in. Derek proposed to me over the phone in the wee hours (2am) of August 26th, 1997. We were married on September 6th, 1997. Just 30 days after we met face to face for the first time!
(Part 2)
Written by Derek
I met Abby first online. I thought she was married to someone, so I was just trying to be a good friend. I found out later that she thought I was just weird. She even directed me to online matchmaker services when she found out I was single. Good thing I don’t always do as I’m told!
When the chat channel we were in decided to have a get together on Cape Cod, I wasn’t so sure I was going to go. For some reason, Abby told me she was looking forward to meeting me. I think it was something she told everybody. But, for some reason unknown to me, I made up my mind to meet this wonderful lady.
Well, I flew to Boston where some friends picked me up and took me out to Cape Cod. That was on the 6th of August, 1997. I finally met Abby the next day. WOW! I must say that she made one heck of an impression on me. I had a difficult time thinking of anything or anyone else. At this point I found out she wasn’t married. I still thought she was involved with someone. That night we played mini-golf with the rest of the people from the get together. Plans were made for all to meet the next day. This didn’t happen quite the way it sounded. Some went one way, some went the way the plans were made. I was in the first group and Abby was in the second one. When I found out what was happening, I made my way to Abby’s group. New plans were made for mini-golf-2. This time Abby and I wound up in the same group. I’ll be damned if I can remember any of the game. All I can remember is Abby. At the end of that game, I bought Abby her first penguin as kind of a joke. You see, she was 7-1/2 months preggers at the time and she sort of waddled. That night we watched Garth Brooks live in Central Park. When she left to go home, she hugged and kissed me. That was a kiss that I will always remember! (9 August, 1997)
That was the last time I saw her until 3 days before we got married. As she said, she sent an e-mail to me. I got it when the ship pulled in on the 14th of August. I went to the chat room and talked to a mutual friend of ours (Angelcare). Angel asked me if I liked Abby. I was puzzled, but told her “yes”. Angel told me to tell Abby that and I did. One thing lead to another, and I started calling Abby. One day, early in the morning (approx. 2 am 26 August, 1997), we were talking about where I was going to be getting orders to. She made mention that she would love to go with me to wherever I wound up. I don’t even remember thinking about it, but I asked her to marry me. It got really quiet on the other end of the phone and I remember thinking “rut-roh!! Derek, you’ve screwed up now!!!!” Abby tells me she answered right away, but, it seemed to take hours. Her answer? “YES!”
We spent a real short time deciding when this would happen. She was willing to wait and so was I. Neither of us wanted to wait though. We set the date for 6 September, 1997. I flew up and she picked me up at the airport late on the 3rd of September. We filed papers on the 4th (the deadline). At 1 pm on 6 September of 1997 we were married, a mere 30 days after we met face-to-face for the first time!!!!