love story

Reader’s Digest editors asked the Reader’s Digest contributor networkto tell us their stories of first-time love. The following piece was written in response to that prompt. To share your own 100-word true story for possible inclusion in the magazine or on RD.com,click here. Thank goodness I can’t type well!I had applied for a job at the university when I was a freshman, and one of the requirements was having good typing skills. I didn’t gethired, and I was pretty bummed out about it.But the next day, I found out about a job opening at the local library. I applied and was hired the same day.It was there that I met Richard. We worked together in the same department for several years, but never really got to know each other well. Our schedules were different so we didn’t talk much. It was not what you would call “love at first sight.” It took several years for us toactually get to know each other and realize that we had quite a bit in common.Over several months in the fall of 1987, we became friends, and then onValentine’s Day of 1988, we became a couple. This year on February 14, we will celebrate 30 years together! (These are thebest Valentine’s Day giftsfor every stageof your relationship.)During our journey together we haveexperienced the birth of our two children, supported each other through tough times, and shared thejoys that life has brought us. Richardis my best friend and still makes melaugh until my stomach hurts and I have tears rolling down my face.I often tell him that I am so glad I can’t type, because if I did, I would never have met him. Little things can make a big difference.Aimee Ashby is a Reader’s Digest reader from McAllen, Texas. She is also a member of the Reader’s Digest contributor network.