Lori and Joe's Wedding

Attending an all girl high school has its benefits, and I wouldn't change my time at Victory for anything in the world, But it can make it a little challenging to meet and socialize with the opposite sex.  Hoping to have a more exciting social life, I asked my friend Lauren if she knew anyone she could set me up with. She said she would think about it and get back to me.  In a few days she mentioned there was this guy, Joe, who she met through her boyfriend at the time.  Joe was the transportation between Iona and Ursline. Through Lauren we exchanged pictures and phone numbers.  We were planning on meeting at Iona's battle of the bands, but unfortunately Joe had to attend the NYS track meet in Syracuse that same weekend.  

So I went with Lauren to the battle of the bands where I meet some of Joe's closest friends.  Incidentally this is where BrianRyan's (one of Joe's bestmen) nickname originated from--it was so loud I couldn't tell if he introduced himself as Brian or Ryan.  Joe and I continued to talk on the phone, and we each started a little recognizance.  Two of my classmates were in an SAT review class with Joe. They promptly reported to me that he had a really hot car and oh yeah he's cute too.  One of Joe's friends who I had not met at battle of the bands came by my house to pick up Lauren one night.  The next day he told Joe that I wasn't very tall but had a nice rack.

As we continued to talk on the phone for the next week or two, I asked Joe if he wanted to attend Victory's ice skating night fundraiser.  He agreed, I bought our tickets, and we arranged to meet outside of the front door having told each other what we would be wearing.  It was a blind date!

As my friend Erin drove into the parking lot, we could see someone standing outside.  It was hard to see much from that distance, but the butterflies started in my stomach. We walked up to the door and sure enough Joe was waiting outside as promised.  We skated around for a few hours.  I have to give Joe a lot of credit.  He came by himself and didn't even seem put off by the fact we were surrounded by all of my friends. After ice skating. we went for pizza and a movie.  I guess we were trying to cover all of the basics in our first date.   Our parents were going to pick us up after the movie. (Yes, our parents picked us up from our first date, but remember we were only Juniors in high school).  I remember my mom pulled up first.  I jumped in the car and she asked if I wanted to wait until Joe's ride was here. I quickly said no fearing what types of questions or interaction would ensue.  It was definitely a once in a lifetime type of night.  I never thought  I would have met the person I would marry--okay maybe a small part of me fantasized about it, but I never thought it would be my reality.

We had such a great time Joe and I arranged to go out to dinner a few days later.  Of course my mom and step-father insisted on meeting Joe when he pick me up just recently earning his full drivers license.  I was terrified--I had no clue what they would do, this was the first boy I was introducing to them. As Joe pulled up in front of the house, my brother Matthew who was looking out the window shouted to everyone that Lori's date had a red sports car and green spiked hair. Needless to say, I think my mom  was a little worried until Joe knocked on the door without green hair and everyone exchanged simple introductions.  My mom invited him to sit down on the couch.  I remember watching Bill march across the living room very seriously announcing he had one question to ask.  I held my breath as he asked, what kind of music do you listen to? Joe responded by saying he liked classic rock and Led Zeppelin.  Bill thinking it was Joe's way of giving the "correct answer" encouraged him to tell the truth. Joe stood his ground insisting that was what he listened to.  Phew, I let out a sigh of relief.  Joe had "passed the test" and we were allowed to go out to dinner. 

Joe's birthday was just over a week after our first date. He invited me to his house for his birthday along with Lauren and my cousin Katelynn.  The three of us headed up to Thornwood for the first of many events at the DeMarco household.  Still unsure if we were officially dating, I took this opportunity to explain to Joe the significance and symbolism of the claddagh ring I always wore.  Without a word, he promptly took the ring off my finger turned it to signify "taken," and placed it back on my hand.  It was official--we were dating. 

More than 10 years later who would have ever guessed that a blind date in high school could turn into a lifetime relationship!