Over the next few months Ray and I continued to hang out in the same social group. As expected, we continued to debate/argue about pretty much everything. In the fall Ray asked me as his date to a wedding - as a friend. I was extremely reluctant, however, I was friends with both the bride and groom and in the end I accepted his invite. I WOULD NOT, however, dance with him....no matter how many times he asked. In the winter Ray had wanted to go sledding with a group of people. Again, reluctantly, I agreed to go. I was reluctant because we didn't have a sled and although Ray had promised that we'd have a sled I still didn't trust that he'd come through. I distinctly remember being very aggravated with the situation and sending him a text letting him know how aggravated I was. His response was "I love you too". Not what I was expecting at all. We did go sledding and I had to admit that it was fun. Later that weekend as we were driving Ray asked me what I would do if today was my last day on Earth. The question came out of left field, but I said something to the effect that I wouldn't really change anything. After all, we never know when our last day is going to be. Then I asked the same question of him. What would he change if it was his last day? His response....I'd make sure you knew that the text I sent you was serious. Um...what??? I almost stopped the car - not the best option since I was driving on parkway. To clarify, yes, he told me he loved me. I wasn't ready for that at all. I honestly don't remember how I replied to that, but I knew that whatever I said I didn't want to be mean about it. I simply didn't feel the same way at the time.
In the meantime, I had friends who were saying how it seemed that God was drawing us together and telling me what a great guy Ray was, even if I didn't seem to think so by his initial impression. My typical reaction was to have a panic attack. Despite all of this, Ray kept asking me out for coffee - as a friend. Usually I turned down his invites, but on one particular night (after having a panic attack about whether or not having coffee with him was a good decision) I accepted. What I thought was going to be an hour long conversation turned out to last until 2am. I found out that during our time at Creation Ray was being arrogant because he was hoping I'd like him. Not one of his best ideas. I also found out that when he was just being himself, I really, really, liked talking and hanging out with him.
Shortly after that I went through a major emotional crisis. The details are unimportant, but what is important was that Ray was always there to talk through things with me. We hung out and watched movies together, played card games, and sometimes he cooked dinner for me. We weren't dating yet, but we were getting closer. I remember sometime at the beginning of March having a fight with him because he was confused about our relationship. I said something to the effect of how I was confused, but I wasn't ready to commit to a dating relationship. Thankfully, I was starting to heal from my emotional crisis and on March 14, 2011 I let down all of my walls and let Ray into my life. It was the best decision I've ever made :).
Some things never change. A year and a half later, we still have issues on which we debate about, but I DO dance with him at every wedding and love every minute of it!
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