Sheldon's version ...
I was stationed in the main office building and visited the other office building when needed. I didn’t have much to say to Karen during those years but for an occasional hi and bye since she wasn’t stationed in the main office building. As years passed, the department decided to bring the office back together and thus begins the story …
The department I worked in transitioned from two office buildings to one. Since I was part of the IT section, our section was responsible for keeping both office buildings online until the merger was complete. As I made my rounds throughout the new building I engaged in small talk with the staff I came in contact with but my primary focus was on the management and attorney staff . My task was to make sure the computers were connected to the network and to gather the staff's wish list for office equipment. Karen’s office was located at the end of the management row and thus she was the last person on my list to contact. It is important to note that up to this point, Karen and I didn’t say much to each other but we were always cordial when we crossed paths.
When I stuck my head into her office and said, “Hi, how are you doing? I’m here to make sure your computer is connected to the network and to gather your wish list.” A conversation ensued which lasted about 1.5 hours! As I walked away from her office, I thought about our discussion. In fact I KEPT thinking about it over and over again. We continued having small talk when our paths crossed within the office (Unbeknownst to me, the seed was planted).
Karen told me she was celebrating her birthday by hosting a party at her home and asked me to attend. I accepted her invitation. The guests included family, friends and coworkers. I enjoyed myself at the party and learned more about Karen on a personal level. As I drove home from the party, I continued thinking about the initial conversation and it started making sense. I was asked weeks later if I was available to help Karen relocate closer to our workplace. I wasn’t doing anything that weekend and again, I agreed. There were several friends assisting and we all enjoyed each other’s company. There were lots of laughs with good company. We all had fun helping Karen that day but honestly it was more work than I anticipated … she really “worked us!” (Unbeknownst to me, the seed was being watered).
As our friendship developed, Karen began to ask me questions related to her home computer. (Her computer skills are limited and she needed assistance with not only her computer but those of her children as well.) As I often did with other coworkers if I was in their area, I made several house calls after work or on the weekend to Karen’s home to resolve her family’s computer issues (unbeknownst to me, the seed was starting to grow).
During one house visit and after completing the task at hand, Karen and I engaged in a conversation which resulted in both of us exposing intimate details of our private lives. Karen was very vulnerable and it was at that moment, I knew that Karen needed a friend. She clearly was not ready for a relationship ... plus, I wasn’t interested in getting into a committed relationship. Why? Because, I finalized my 5yr divorce in 2006 after a 10yr marriage. I promised my three children ages 17, 15 and 12 that I will not bring another woman into the house until they graduated from high school.
I always knew I would get married again because I enjoyed the union of marriage. GOD created marriage and what GOD create is always good.
Not knowing where the friendship was going, I propositioned Karen by saying, “I want to see where this friendship takes us but in order for that to happen you have to promise me something … that you cannot say anything to anyone.” Anyone? She asked. No one, I replied. Karen knew that was a tall order since her life had been an open book up to that point in her life primarily because she shared every aspect of it with everyone!
Since we both are divorcees, communication and friendship is #1 on our list. Lessons learned.
Karen has proven to me that she’s my #1 and that’s why I decided to get down on bended knee and ask her to be my wife.
The rest is history … | 
