We both entered Gallaudet University for our respective graduate programs in fall of 2002 (Frank for Clinical Psy Ph.D; Melissa for MSW Social Work). We never had a class together, and Frank didn't participate in the summer programs that Melissa did. However, Melissa had a roomate (Shyre) who was in the School Psychology program. Shyre met Frank while in Statistics class, and invited him to a birthday party that she was having for her roomate (Melissa). Somehow, Frank left the party without ever having talked to the birthday girl.

Several months later, the "High Stakes Testing: Are Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children Being Left Behind" Conference took place at the Gallaudet Kellogg Conference Center. Both Frank & Melissa attended (or so Melissa claims). Apparently, we talked, but nothing really came of it.

There were other chance encounters, where Frank offered Melissa a ride home from a Deaf social event, etc.

Finally, at the Deaf Professional Happy Hour on October 3rd 2003, Frank and Melissa had their first conversation. Frank went alone after ditching some friends who wanted to go dancing. Melissa came with mutal friend Iris. Our conversation went on for over an hour, and Melissa reports "feeling an immediate connection."

The next day, Frank rode the elevator with Iris and noted that "there's something more to your friend Melissa than I thought." and left it at that. Melissa started to realize that Frank was spending a lot of time at the GSA (Graduate Student Association) office, and that he would be running for GSA Vice President. She started spending more time there to be with him, making excuses to run into him. Shortly after, the first date ensued. Frank brought Subway food to Melissa's house while waiting for the furnace repairman to come (romantic, huh?).

The second date was to the opening of The Matrix Revolutions (Nov 6th, 2003). At this time, Frank was debating what to do for Thanksgiving. He decided to drive up to Massachusetts to visit family. His mother offered to give him her old car, since she was getting a new one... so Frank needed to learn to drive a stick fast. Also, he needed to find someone to accompany him (preferably someone who also could drive a stick-shift).

The relationship was still new, so he debated whether or not he wanted to subject her to his crazy family :) Ultimately, he decided to go ahead and bring her. Date #3- the drive up (with Martina, the Czech Chick). Date #4- watched "Love Actually" after Thanksgiving dinner.

After this point, Frank and Melissa were officially "a couple". Frank still lived in Silver Spring, MD, but he traveled often to visit Melissa in DC as much as he could. Likewise, Melissa traveled through 72 traffic lights to visit Frank in Silver Spring when she could.

Now, Frank & Melissa have an apartment in Southeast DC (aka- the ghetto) with two roomates, Nadine and Tracy (both of whom are in Frank's program.

The next chapter? Well... that's in the blog.