By Denise Michaels, Author, “Testosterone-Free Marketing”

Meeting Ernie was like the end of a journey. After nothing but lousy relationships I finally met the right man for me. If you’ve had challenges with love or are happily in love – you might enjoy my story.

It was Saturday August 2nd 1997 and I was excited. I’d just bought a computer and gotten online for the first time a few days ago. I’d heard there was a lot of information online about singles. It wasn’t fast or easy back in the dial-up days, but I was curious.

When I saw an announcement for a singles beach picnic that weekend in Orange County about an hour away, I decided to go. After all, it wasn’t a smoky, meat market bar. As I was driving there I felt an amazing sense of anticipation and expectation that something great was about to happen. I tried to calm myself, but it persisted.

I found Dana Point State Park and walked for half an hour before locating the group. Things were just getting started and naturally there were more women than men in attendance. If nothing else it would be a beautiful afternoon on the beach.

After an hour I heard a male voice in an accent I didn’t recognize. I turned and saw a pair of nicely muscled, brown, male legs. All the women were saying, “Hi Ernie! How you doing, Ernie?” He chirped back, “Helloooooo!”

I stood up and joined a cluster of women talking with this man. He had brown skin, but wasn’t African American. I nudged the woman next to me and whispered, “Introduce me, would you?” She did and he smiled hello. His smile melted my heart. Our eyes locked on each other through the gaggle of feminine conversation around us.

All I could think was, “How do I get him away from this crowd and talk alone with him. I said, “Who wants to go swimming?” I hoped he would take the hint and say “yes” and the other women wouldn’t want to bother getting their hair wet.

“I’ll go swimming with you,” he said, not missing a beat. The other women dropped away.

We walked about knee deep into the water. There was an instant attraction different from anything I’d ever felt. I don’t remember too much about the specifics of the conversation – it was many years ago. I remember him asking questions about my education, my religious faith and my family. I remember him saying he was born in India and he came to America after high school. I was 39 and he was 51.

I suggested we walk down the beach at the edge of the water. We walked a couple miles along the wet sand. On the way back he took my hand in his. A lifetime of all the wrong men and the wrong relationships fell away – I was home.

We returned to the group and it was dusk. The guys built a bonfire to light the evening and cook hot dogs and marshmallows. Ernie never left my side that evening. I think our knees touched lightly as we sat on a blanket.

We talked with others and enjoyed the laughter and kidding all around as the night sky grew dark. But it was clear to everyone we were connected as a couple.

I got up and walked down to the water’s edge, wanting to etch this perfect moment in my mind forever. I knew he was the one for me and we hadn’t even kissed yet. In the indigo sky on a sultry August evening, a sliver of moon and a few stars hung in the sky. I felt overwhelmed and just whispered a “thank you” of gratitude to the heavens.

We’ve been crazy in love together ever since. And his smile still melts my heart.