Polaroid Love: How We Met Contest Winner

"This was love at first sight, love everlasting: a feeling unknown, unhoped for, unexpected–in so far as it could be a matter of conscious awareness; it took entire possession of him, and he understood, with joyous amazement, that this was for life." -- Thomas Mann

Just days before Valentine's, Macomb Patch asked its readers to share their love stories to enter the How We Met contest. From that first meeting, to how they fell in love, we encouraged them to woo us with their personal romance.

Sweetening the deal, we offered a $50 gift card to the owner of the most romantic tale. The story submitted by Duane Larkin won our hearts and the contest. Now we share it with you:

In 1995, I belonged to a local computer club; the Greater Detroit Free Net was a free, text-only chat site that attracted computer users from around the metro region. I met alot of interesting people online, back before it was called "online" ... but I didn't meet my wife in the "chat room." Here's what happened:

One of the GDFN members was moving out of state and her best friend hosted a late-August backyard picnic in her honor. I had volunteered to bring a camcorder (a big, heavy clunker back then) and a tripod to record the event; when I arrived, I was also dragooned into manning the Polaroid still camera, to take photos of people as they arrived at the party, since most of us had never met each other in person.

I was stationed at the gate at the end of the driveway, stopping people and snapping their pictures when I first saw Bev...and was instantly attracted to her. I felt a little dizzy and my ears were ringing as she walked up, greeted the hostess and posed for her photo. On an impulse, I handed the camera to the hostess and asked her to snap a picture of the two of us together.

Once all the expected guests had arrived, I was relieved as gate photographer and was free to enjoy the picnic; I spent most of it talking with Bev...I mingled a bit with the other attendees but kept her in eyeshot the whole afternoon. As the evening drew near and folks began dispersing, I knew I'd have to see Bev again...as she walked down the drive to her car, I asked her if I could take her to dinner. She hesitated a moment, then handed me her business card and said, "Call me." As she got into her car I thought to myself, "I'm going to marry that girl." 

We went to dinner the following week, began dating regularly and in March of the following year I proposed to marry Bev. She accepted. We were married in the backyard of her spacious Detroit home, and we're 14 years together, growing closer with every passing day...but of all the "family jewels" we've accrued, the most priceless is that photo of the day we first met.

Congratulations to our winners Duane and Bev Larkin, and Happy Valentine's Day to all!