Monday, March 23, 2009

The Story Contintues: How Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Turned the Tide...

So if you've read this post, you know how we met. Wasn't it magical? Identity confusion is a great opener - believe me. Now, on with the story...

Once we determined we actually did not know each other, we introduced ourselves and chatted away like a couple of old women. Can I just say that the guy is hysterical? And cute. And very nice. (Had to slip into present tense there, because these things are all still true).

But I still thought he was too short, and kept my eye on Mr. Tall-Dark-Motorcycle. The game ended before too long, and we all went inside the church to the gym to hang out. Shortly after we got inside I realized I'd landed in the jackpot - the only singles ward on the planet with more available guys than girls.

And I was the new girl in town. And there's nothing like fresh meat at a singles ward. Let me tell you, it was quite the switch. If you're a regular around here, you'll know that at just-turned-twenty, I was only four months out from my first kiss. (Although I had managed to squeeze in another boyfriend during those short months - whom I was still {very tentatively/long-distance-relationshippy} dating). I had only been asked for my phone number once in my two and a half year stint at Ricks College. This night was possibly the highlight of my dating career.

Three guys got my number that night. Rusty was not one of them. When I left, I was feeling a bit disappointed, but secretly I was hoping he'd memorized it (since he was standing right there) and was going to call me anyway...even if he was only 5'11.

He didn't.

That Saturday, (now that I had cast off the ugly cloak of loner-ism) I headed back over for a day at the lake. (Not to mention girl-starved available men). I met Angie there, walked down to the beach area, and witnessed something that no doubt turned the hands of Fate in Rusty's direction for all eternity - He was playing volleyball. With out a shirt. Or a hat.

I think I had to grab onto Angie's arm for support when my eyes first beheld his rippling muscles. Seriously. The clincher? HE WAS A REDHEAD!!! Hello-oh, as a good little girl who'd been properly raised on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I had a MAJOR thing for redheads. Almost every one of my college crushes had red/sandy/auburn hair. My secret desire was to marry a man with gorgeous dark red hair (just like Benjamin - didn't we ALL want Benjamin?), have redheaded babies, and sit at church every Sunday for the rest of my life looking down the pew and seeing red.

How had I missed this! How does one not see gorgeous, dark, Benjamin-red hair on a guy who's already cute, funny, AND talking to you?!! When it's been buzzed into an almost-military cut, and the owner of said red locks wears a hat and has a nice (although freckly) tan, that's how. He didn't even have any hair on the part that showed with his hat on, so I'd had no opportunity to appreciate this fact at our prior meeting. Mr. Motorcycle's dark good looks suddenly slipped into the background, and for that afternoon I pretty much focused on Rusty.

Who, I have to say, was focusing on me. Despite the fact that he was the only guy who hadn't asked for my number in this girl-starved singles branch. Again, I don't remember much of what we talked about, except that his opening line was asking if my number was 867-5309.

My name is Jenny. Like I hadn't heard that one before. (For you innocent babes of youthful years, that is the number in an 80's song, belonging to a girl named Jenny. The guy gets the number off a bathroom stall. He apparently wants a good time.)

But still, he didn't ask for my actual number. So I tried not to get my hopes up. In fact, I even consciously concentrated a little flirtatious energy towards Mr. Motorbike (who HAD got my number). After all, he was cute...

But Rusty was really funny. What is it about hot redheads with big muscles who constantly make you laugh? What girl could resist such a deadly combination? Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I was definitely not up to the challenge...

24 comments:

Barbaloot said...

I love redheads, too! And Benjamin was totally the hottest-for sure. Except did you notice how he can't dance? He and Dorkus are always in the back scenes. And---I'm also kind of in love with Gideon.

annie valentine said...

So, are you going to mention your four non-red headed children any time soon?

J. Baxter said...

Anne - Stop giving away the ending.

Barbaloot - I too think Gideon is adorable (as compared to Benjmin's complete hotness). Sadly, the actress who played Dorkus was a famous dancer, but was cast against Benjamin who apparently had two left feet. But was still hot.

The Kooky Queen--Rachel said...

I love this!!! Benjamin was definitely the hottest!!! All my sisters and I were in love with him! And totally unrelated but because of that movie, my hubby thinks that when all girls get together alone, they strip down to their undies and dance and sing. (((rolling eyes!))) Haha!

Nutty Hamster Chick said...

Count me in on the Benjamin love fest. I actually married a man with six brothers, but none of them are red heads. Seven Brides has got to be one of the best movies ever.

That Girl said...

This made me smile. No, scratch that - GRIN.

Momza said...

I bounced over here from the MM blogs...and now I'm hooked! When is the rest of the story coming out?

Alison Wonderland said...

I don't get the red-head guy thing. I love red on girls but red-headed guys have never done it for me.

melissabastow said...

Clearly Alison has never seen the RIGHT redhead.

I was also hoping for red headed children....they're all toe-heads. It makes sense since my husband is blond - but STILL. I try not to be too disappointed, but some days I just can't look at their little blond heads a second longer and force them all into paper bags with the eyeholes cut out.

LisAway said...

Hey Jen, I'd love for you to make a guess at what song will now be stuck in my head for the next week or so. And I ONLY know the number part. I didn't know her name was Jenny or any of that.

8 6 7 5 3 0 1.

I love that whole sort of flirting with other guys when the guy that you think you like best is right there. What a fun game that was, eh? (It doesn't really work anymore after you're married, I've noticed. KIDDING!)

Natalie said...

Loving it.

LisAway said...

It'd be great if anyone who reads my previous comment would add a tiny little circle to the upper left side of the ONE at the end of that phone number. If you know what I mean.

Claire said...

i seriously can't believe you love redheads too. My ideal man? RObert Redford. Miaow. And Donny Most. And that other guy that was in all the 80's films that i can't remember... eric somebody? Can't remember.. :(

Camille said...

I LOVE this story, I can see me now standing with you on the beach. Wouldn't it have been perfect if some guy threw the volleyball in your direction and Rusty had to fetch it from you, you start talking, but Mr. Motorcycle Man is upset so he and his gang drives up on his motorcycle and runs over Rusty's radio and stars fighting him, all for your love....(I'm a big Karate Kid fan)

J. Baxter said...

Machen - You rock. Except in this story, there's no way the motorcycle guys kick Rusty's butt.

Laura said...

Well, you know how I felt about Benjamen! **SIGH** But hey! I did get an Adam, and even if he doesn't have red hair (or any hair anymore), he's the oldest son, haha, and he is fantastic!

Haynsy said...

I feel like I'm reading your diaries. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? Realllly?

7 hoodlums kidnap their future wives and you're all okay with that? Not only okay but you've got favorites! Good thing none of you met Ted Bundy.

No wonder I married at 26.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I totally wrote a comment on this post and some cosmic quirk of fate erased it from the screen before I had a chance to post it. Whatever. It was really cute and witty, and now that I'm just frustrated, I can't even remember what I said. Except for the fact that my mom went to high school with "Gideon" and I always had a crush on him.

Stephanie said...

"Bless your beautiful hide, wherever you may be..." That's all that's been in my head since I started reading. I loved that movie too, but in a really not-impressive comparative literature moment, I realized that Adam is really just a moving picture version of Gaston from Beauty and the Beast, but I guess maybe it was the red hair that made him seem more charming. :)

Kelly said...

Of course I love this story, so fun to hear again! I had forgotten parts. I never knew 7Brides for 7Brothers was your total inspiration for a red-headed husband. Why would I think that? Wasn't your guy Ephraim? Hmm, so secretly you were always lusting after MY guy?! The truth comes out!!!! But Rusty's hair looks WAY more like Benjamin's so good call.

Boy Mom said...

Yum,Redheads. I got the red hair skin in my man but not the hair. I just know if I'd had a girl she would have been a redhead.

I just caught up on 5 posts, gasp where have I been? I have you on my blog roll now so I won't miss out. I'm mad I missed the limerick contest.

nikkicrumpet said...

Muscles and funny?? Heck he wouldn't even need hair! Ya gotta go for the ones who can make you laugh!

{jane} said...

uh-humm...with your new postings of pictures - where's Rusty?

Little GrumpyAngel said...

So far so good :-) I'm enjoying this, but I have to get the 7 Brides movie because I honestly don't remember much of it. So is there going to be a fistfight or some form of conflict soon between Rusty and Mr. Motorcycle guy?