Perfect Paring

Dear Jean,

Timothy Broome. It is weird how the mind works and what we think about at the most odd times. Do you remember him? I thought I called and told you. While in school, my nature was to be focused and to do well. This didn’t leave a lot of time for dates. Besides, Purdue was a long way from home and failure was not an option. I did always enjoy extra-curricular activities and college was no different. As a member of the Black Business Student Association, we held regular meetings in the Krannert School of Business. I remember that night, that particular meeting, like it was yesterday. I wore a straight deep purple skirt with a ruffle around the bottom, it hit my legs at my knees and the top was a crew collar with gold buttons down the front and long sleeved. You do always ask me “were you cute”? Yes. Well, yes. Yes, I was. I had lost the college weight, still a little fluffy but, just the right amount to fill out this skirt and catch the attention of the new guy. My heels said I am young and sexy and smart-they were a 3-inch platform. The new guy was Timothy Broome and I had not seen him; I did hear some of the other girls mention his name. I was busy, minding my business (literally, it was the business club, remember) and then, I saw him.

Have you ever had to stop and catch your breath because of God’s handiwork? Jean, I can feel how flustered I was all those years ago. Think about a 6’4’ man, kissed by the sun with deep rich melanin, a finely tailored suit and he didn’t walk, he floated. At that moment, I dreamed of leaning back on his chest with his arms wrapped around my waist and a glass of 2017 Rombauer Merlot. Now I see why his name was being whispered in the single ladies circles. I remained professional and paid him no mind. In my head, I just kept thinking that Broome has truly swept me off of my feet. Always the consummate professional, I helped run the meetings and answered questions at the end. He made casual conversation and I found out that he was new to the Krannert School of Business and in the Master’s Degree program. I am not sure if it was my southern sensibilities or a combination of my kindness and professionalism but, by the third meeting he had asked me out. He wanted to go to the chocolate shop-they didn’t sell chocolate. It was the popular bar right off campus. My casual, nonchalant “yes” was not indicative of the conversation my heart was having with my chest cavity about exiting the premises.

While my heart was having its conversation, my head was (in predictable female fashion) questioning what to wear to mesmerize, intrigue and still be sexy but not too sexy. He was stylish and beautiful. That was added pressure. What would I wear to our local bar that said sexy and available but, not trying too hard. How could I pull off I am intelligent and interesting? , I should have called you and asked you what to wear but, I am sure you would have laughed at my girlish giddiness. I eventually decided on an easy flowing sundress with a kitten heeled slide and a light sweater. He was charming and lovely, we ate quesadillas, sliders and side salads. I, of course, stayed away from the nachos and anything messy.

We would still attend the business school meetings and he found opportunities to brush against my hand. I would still feel a flush come over me. We would steal away two or three times a week for lunch together. He would walk me to my Thursday morning class; it was on the way to meet with his advisor. Somehow during this time in my life, the grass was greener. It was like it was in a movie. I could hear the birds chirping clearer and there was a musical soundtrack to our moments. This high definition living helped me to know that everything would be alright in the world. Weekends were breakfasts together in the graduate dorms and on Sunday afternoon, he began to go to church with me. The pastor was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha who had the wisdom to hold Sunday services at 4:00 p.m. for college students.

On this particular Sunday, dressed in our Sunday best, Tim took me to dinner. We had been dating for more than a few months and the movie reel of my life was playing out and the romance of it all was almost too much. Was I ready for this? The waiter asked for my order. I ordered the petit filet mignon and pasta dish. He ordered the t-bone. As I looked over at him, he smiled a gentle protective smile. He turned his attention back to the waiter to order Chateau Petrus-my goodness. Finally, a glass of merlot with this tall drink of water (you remember that southern saying don’t you?) This experience was opulent with a taffeta texture and floral returns. This wine came from the clay soils of Pomeral. I swirled the wine and inhaled the aroma in slow motion in this wide beautiful glass. It spun slowly and revealed its legs. I looked down in the class lost in the color of the wine and then, I heard it.

It was an intrusive horrible sound. My alarm clock was going off and I woke up from my dream. Wait. What? Timothy Broome was real, he did ask me out. I was 18 at the time and when he found out, as a grad student and a man of 27 years old, he decided against a romance with a not quite legal me. It wasn't meant to be and there is no need to be sad. I have the perfect pairing with a handsome man with a beautiful soul and I am living happily ever after.