June 19th, 2004, Anthony and I set out to attend a birthday party of a mutual friend in Sacramento. Anthony came with a friend from the bay area, and I came with a couple of my close friends. The evening started at our friend’s home. Anthony and I were introduced by our mutual friend. It was a very informal introduction. After having food and drinks at home we all went out for a night on the town. It’s funny looking back on things, because later in the evening Tony sparked up a conversation with me. He was really a nice guy, but I had no idea he was really "interested" in me. It was refreshing to have a solid conversation with an intelligent man, he gave me nice compliments (he liked the white pants I was wearing) and we drank martinis that night. At the end of the night, he asked for my phone number, and of course I gave it to him. Believe it or not, Tony and I kept in touch for one year before we started dating. Phone calls, emails, text messages...until I finally said...ok...I’m going to go out with this guy. Our first date went really well, dinner at le cheval, drinks at a popular lounge, and great conversation. We ended it by watching a DVD of Sade live...it was awesome. That night was the start of something special….