THE REAL STORY
Her Version
I met Francis on Monday, June 24, 2013--which might be the only thing we can agree on about this story haha! We may have crossed paths in prior years, but never actually met, to my recollection. I had just joined ConocoPhillips as a full-time hire, and Francis had signed up to be my buddy.
The morning had been long--orientation, meeting a whole bunch of people, etc. I finally had a chance to relax in my office, and then a young man strolls by my office, only to double back a few seconds later. He asked if I was Delisa. I thought, "Isn't that what the sign outside of my door says?" but I simply said, "Yes." It was then that I realized that this guy was my buddy--who had emailed me weeks ago and I didn't respond to until the night before!
I thought to myself, "Male buddy. This can't be good." I tried to distance myself from Francis, but we naturally gravitated towards each other. We had a lot in common, had similar interests, shared mutual friends, and often found ourselves in the same places. Our platonic relationship was strengthened by our professional relationship; he was my Reservoir Engineer and I was his Production Engineer.
I didn't realize that Francis liked me (lol) until months later. I was leaving from the office for vacation in India and then for Christmas in Nigeria; he offered to walk me to my car because it was my last day in the office that year. He then alluded to his feelings ... and was kindly shut down (lmao). He texted me the whole time I was in India and we had plans to connect in Naija during Christmas--which as fate had it, never happened.
After the Christmas holiday, all had returned to work from their vacations. A coworker was getting married, but I was not planning on going. Francis put me on the spot and asked me IN FRONT of him and another friend if I'd be his date. I reluctantly accepted lol. The wedding was cool, but I was sure to leave early to avoid an awkward moment with Francis.
After months of running from Francis, we finally had a chance to some time spend one-on-one. I was supposed to be going to South by Southwest in Austin with some friends, but my ride cancelled and Francis offered to drive because he was meeting his friends there too. On the way, we missed our route (which I still think Francis did on purpose haha), so we had a lot of time to talk. The next evening Francis plainly told me how he felt. I was dreading the ride home because knew I could no longer avoid the relationship conversation. I tried to go to sleep, but Francis kept talking to me! I knew he was a great guy, but didn't want to date anyone I worked with. We ultimately decided to give it a try...
We began to actually date and really enjoyed each other's company. He was kind, caring, compassionate, and loving...plus he had a great work ethic, but still knew how to have fun. We were a perfect match!
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His Version
Delisa and I must have been meant to be before we even met. I signed up to mentor a new hire at work, but that new hire didn't end up joining the company. I was presented with two alternatives, and somehow chose Delisa. I emailed her before her start date, but she didn't respond. We ended up meeting at her first day of work, and as a buddy, I took her to lunch the next day.
We went on to work together very closely, which is actually atypical of buddies. Coincidentally, we worked in the same asset/business unit (normally buddies are from completely different groups). We gradually got to know each other better, and I got to see her beautiful and pure she was inside and outside. I admired her work ethic and free spirit, and I was intrigued to get to know her even more.
Our friendship was quite sensitive, due to us working together. I had to figure out how to approach the situation... I had to let her know without coming on too strong or creating a potentially awkward situation at work.
Delisa had been running from me for a while, finding every excuse for us not to spend time together outside work environment. I finally had a chance: a co-worker was getting married and I asked her to be my date in presence of everyone, so that she could not refuse lol. As time passed, we became more closer friends and often found ourselves at the same parties, events, etc. I think she was stalking me (She would say that's what I want to believe).
One faithful morning something came upon me to call Delisa and she surprisingly picked (if you know her, you know she barely answers her phone) and stated she was suppose to be heading to Austin for South by Southwest. As a "Sharp guy" I stated that I was actually planning on going; meanwhile, I was recovering from a night in the town, but I could not miss out on the opportunity of spending a good 5 hrs of drive time with Delisa.
She enjoyed my company so much and I knew she liked me a lot more than just a friend (Not the other way around lol). Days and weeks passed and we continued to build on that high momentum of fire of love that I could see in her eyes. Till date, I am still building on that momentum of a new found love, as we walk through this path of Love, Life, & Laughter, as we become ONE, under God, to be witnessed by Family and Friends.