Story told by Tish

It was my usual birthday weekend celebration and all my friends from Florida has arrived in town.  With 25 close in site, I decided to choose a place that was different; a place to celebrate I’d never been to.  After doing some research, I came across Uptown Restaurant and Lounge.

A swanky little lounge with a super cute atmosphere and great reviews, I decided to begin my birthday celebration here.  To my surprise, I arrived with trouble at the door.  My entire list of friends I had on my list  were sent through the regular line instead of VIP, which was already set when I booked.  So while my friends had to stand outside in the cold, I was inside fuming, threatening to leave and let the promoter I’d take my business elsewhere.  After 15 minutes of waiting, I impatiently walk towards the front door.  As soon as I pushed through to walk outside, all of my friends walked in at that very moment.  They told me they were fine and we would go in and have a great time.

By now I’m still upset, but all of my friends assured me that it would be fun and have a good time.  And a good time I had!!  We all danced, laughed, took millions of pictures, and ate cupcakes!  I had a number of gentlemen to wish me a “Happy Birthday” and wanted to take pictures with me.  Sure!  During one of the breaks I took from dancing, I was talking to a friend about something and started laughing and walked back towards my group.  Still tickled, out of nowhere, someone grabs my hand.  I didn’t see who he was, he just leaned in my ear and said, “I like your smile”.  I thought it was sweet and gave thanks.  When I looked up, he was tall, very well dressed, nice smile, and Ray Ban shades on. He introduced himself; he said his name was Joe.

Let me admit…I thought he was really cute! Cuter than all the other guys there and definitely the most interesting to talk to.  Best of all, he wasn’t trying too hard to impress me. Better yet, he didn’t come off as if he was trying to get with me.  I asked him to take a picture with me, since it was my birthday celebration.

(This was our very first picture together – ever)

Then I found out he was an Alpha man from GA Tech’s Nu Mu Chapter and felt that he would be a good contact to know and suggested we exchange phone numbers. Knowing he was Greek, I asked him to take another picture (hey, I had to)!

It wouldn’t be until that Sunday afternoon, my official birthday, that I would have another conversation with him.

That Sunday, my 25th birthday, I told him that my best friend, Natrice, was a photographer and she was taking some engagement photos of some of our friends at Piedmont Park.  I was going to accompany her by taking my dog and reading by the lake.  He asked if it would be okay to join me.  I figured it’d be nice to see him again, so I agreed.

On a gorgeous winter day, on Sunday, January 25, 2009, Joe met me at a bench by the lake. We had the chance to chat and laugh, like old friends. After the shoot, Joe asked if I was hungry. My response, “I could eat.”  From there, he took me to Shout! in Midtown for sushi.

From Piedmont Park at the bench to Shout! is where it all began…