1990: Enter Mindy, Part 2

Mindy and I were pretty much inseparable on our time off, but we had some crazy busy schedules. We were both attending University of Reno, Nevada (UNR) and working. Occasionally, we would see each on campus and get a chance to say hi. She had some really nice and preppy friends, but I really didn't give them the time of day. Retrospectively, I was being judgmental and anti-social/mean in general (boo!).

I claimed that I was going to school (psychology major), but I was really sleeping in and missing labs/classes. I got put on warning, then suspension, then I managed to get expelled. I'll spare you all the details of me missing classes and arguing with teachers. Mindy, on the other hand, was a great student and I admired her consistency. Our very first argument was over her questioning me about if I was making it to class. I pretty much told her to be quiet and not worry about what I was doing. I was a treat.

I would go out to Mindy's house in Washoe Valley on Sundays. I'd have dinner with her family and watch some television. I noticed when we sat down for dinner, that by the time I had put salt and pepper on my food, they were pretty much finishing-up their plates. Her family raised pigs and had other animals roaming around their big back yard. I vividly remember as I drove my convertible red VW Rabbit, the cow manure stench as I drove the dirt roads in her neighborhood.

I was used to having the top down on my car, but once I started dating Mindy, the top went up, and that began my life of sweating in the car. She was cold on summer nights and just about anywhere, for that matter. My daughters are all the same way and often have goosebumps in the summer. I learned early on that Mindy would need a sweater and a blanket in the car if we were going anywhere.

We would often talk through the night about everything and our conversations evolved into us planning our future without consciously realizing it at first. Eventually, Mindy's Dad told her on the side that he didn't care much for me being at the house when he woke-up for work. That's where he drew the line. :)

Since I pretty much refused to hangout with Mindy and her friends (I know, boo!!!), Mindy would come and hangout with my friends. My friends were welcoming and nice to Mindy, but she got continually asked how the heck we ended up together. At that time of my life, I was wearing Doc Martin 14-hole boots, pegged pants, tanktop, leather jacket with studs/spikes/chains, and crazy hairdo. Mindy was dressed in pretty, classy stuff that looked very nice. My friends and hers could not see how we ended up even dating or talking. :)

Admittedly, I got tired of people asking us how it was possible for us to be dating, so I started ignoring, or being sarcastic with people that asked. We were NOT compatible by normal standards, but we made it work. She and I like totally different things and see things from completely different perspectives. If we had joined on online dating site, we would have never been matched.