in the spring of 2006 i began working at the restaurant 'Cheddars'. Growing up in the area, i of course already knew some people that worked there, but i also met a lot of new people too. I lived at home with my parents, and went to school, but frankly didn't need a job. I quickly learned that i hated, hated, hated waiting tables...one of my managers even had a few talks with me asking if i even liked working there, or why i was there. but for some reason unknown to me, i stuck around....and thank God i did. i would soon have a conversation that would change my life forever.
One day in early june, i worked my one and only double (2 shifts, back to back). So did my friend Lauren, along with another friend we had made...along with his friend. Cody Roland. The first conversation we had, was during the evening shift, in which Cody stood next to me during a down time, and started talking up his friend, who he already knew i was interested in. Who knows how long or short this conversation was, but by the end of it, i would never look at another guy, the way i looked at Cody on this night.
This quickly turned from 'i can't believe this guy is even looking in my direction, let alone speaking to me'....to 'i can't believe he's mine.' On june 30th, for lack of a cuter way to explain it....i told cody to tell me that i was his girlfriend. and he did :) For the first time, i felt like my feelings for a guy mattered and had importance. And i felt like i mattered. and i was important. We spent the summer learning about eachother, and what it feels like to love and be loved.
As silly as it sounds, i thank God for Cheddars. What started as just 'something to do', turned into the best decision i have ever made.
Until next time...
love, amanda
