My story...   The REAL story...

In August of 2002, Tamar and I showed up bright and early to orientation for the Masters of Applied Anthropology program at the University of Maryland College Park. Convoluted paths had led us both to Maryland at that point. For me, it was a strange route through culinary school in New York City, a short unhappy stint as a chef, and an unfulfilling job in publishing that brought me back to school. For Tamar it was several adventuresome but ultimately troublesome trips to France and a stint working for the University of Texas in Houston. It sounds cheesy to say, but we often wonder at how many things had to happen in order to find ourselves meeting for the first time on a Monday morning in College Park.

    
When I walked into the room, of course, the very first thing I noticed was this stunning brunette getting a cup of coffee. At this point our interpretations of our first meeting differ somewhat. But I (of course) am obliged to be perfectly honest and tell it like it is. It went like this:   I appreciate the “stunning” comment, but your memory doesn’t serve you well, sweetie. I don’t drink coffee.
Tamar turned around, caught my eye and, looking me up and down, said “How you doin’?” in exactly the way the Joey Tribbiani from Friends would. I was taken aback at first, but then I recovered and flashed a smile. And I thought, well, she’s not shy. I like that.   Umm, he wishes I were coming on to him! So after living in Maryland for almost a month, I was desperate for friends. He happened to be the second person who walked into the room! Needless to say, I was overly enthusiastic to see a friendly face.
Sadly there was only one other witness to the meeting – our good friend Jason – and the event does not seem so memorable to him in retrospect. (He may have been paid off by Tamar.) She, of course, disputes my recollection of the meeting.   Of course I dispute your recollection…because it’s just plain wrong.
Regardless, our friendship blossomed quickly. After evening classes Tamar, who had a permit to park in a lot much closer than mine, would drive me across campus to my parking garage. She insists that I parked so far away so that she would drive me, but I insist she parked so close for the same reason. At least I was getting some exercise.   You weren’t getting exercise because I drove you to your car EVERY night! I can’t say I didn’t enjoy that though.
Anyway, we would sit in her car chatting about this and that every night for several weeks. I knew quickly that she was something special, and I wanted to do something about it. Thankfully I ignored the advice of my friends who told me over and over that I should just plant one on her. I decided to let things progress naturally.   Ya, bad advice guys! (but at least you were encouraging, I guess)
(Tamar later assured me that if I had taken my friends’ advice, it might not have worked out so well.) But I needed to do something, so I put my plan in motion.   I find it hard to believe that you were so calculating!
One day I invited Tamar and another friend to come to a concert in Baltimore at a small club. I hoped that Tamar would say yes, and find the invitation harmless because I had invited someone else. (Little did she know that I intentionally invited someone I knew would not come.)   Sadly, I wondered if Judd was interested in this other woman…she was pretty cute.
And so we had our first ‘date.’ (Neither one of us knew if it was really a date.) I whipped out my culinary tricks, and made crispy skin salmon, mashed potatoes, and sautéed green beans. With a nice bottle of wine, I apparently made a good impression.   Little did Judd know, but this is my favorite meal. I could live on mashed potatoes and salmon.
Later, we went to see Martin Sexton live, and he became (for obvious reasons aside from his being amazing) one of our favorite singers. We had a great time, and Tamar came back the next night for the Fells Point Festival, which also included some drinking and dancing and a whole lot of kettle corn (if you know what I mean).   If you mean, literally eating a whole lotta kettle corn, then you would be right. Let’s not exaggerate too much my friend.
That night we were holding hands and getting close, but agreed that it might be better to leave it at that. The following night Tamar came up for Monday Night Football, and I couldn’t help it. I just had to kiss her. She said, famously, “I thought we weren’t going to do that.” And I said, even more famously, “You must be kidding.” (…which I can’t believe I got away with!)   Well, it’s only because you’re just so damn cute.
And the rest is history. Tamar moved in pretty much right away, though not officially for another 4 months. Less than a year later we rented our very own house together, and shortly after that got engaged.

So I’d really like to congratulate myself for handling the situation well, and pat myself on the back for snaring such an amazing girl/fooling such an amazing girl into thinking I’m amazing too.

   Judd, I’m not fooled. You’re pretty amazing. I feel so lucky to have found you!