Gillian's Version

The first three things I learned about Jon were: 1) He is funny; 2) He is kind; and 3) He is French. These details were passed along by our mutual friend Tanya Kateri, who coordinated the volunteer group where we met. It wasn’t until our first date two months later – an evening entirely lacking in throaty R’s and séduction –  that I discovered Tanya was two-for-three on her facts. Still, Jon turned out to be the best bait-and-switch the dating scene has ever known.

You might not believe it, but for me it really was love at first sight. I knew the moment I saw him from across middle school library – arriving an incredible two hours late – that he was perfect for me. I can picture the moment exactly: where I was standing, what he was wearing, how he smiled when he laughed. That first class, we barely exchanged any words, just some small talk with the other volunteers after the students went home. He liked my jokes, though, and they weren’t even funny. That was enough. I was in love.

A few days later, I emailed Tanya, ostensibly about the next week’s class, but actually to inquire about the mysterious, hairy dreamboat. Here is our exchange:

Gillian Weeks to Tanya

I really wasn't able to get away today for the talent show, which I was DYING to attend.  Those kids are so dang special.  Please let me know how it went!

 Also, who was that tall guy with the beard last time?  He's way cute.  I do hope he chooses to exercise his charitable spirit by helping these wonderful children express themselves through film.  In no way does this make me a creep.  .....

Tanya Kateri to me

Ok, I am so totally engineering a match - he's newly single, and you are TOTALLY his type.  He is INCREDIBLE. Also one of the kindest, gentlest souls I know.  He actually just asked when he can come to class next, so I think he'll be there 3/3...

There was a long break between classes for some reason, and then the next scheduled session was canceled. So more than a month had elapsed before I was able to see Jon again. In the meantime I did some research. In fact, I googled the crap out of him. Turns out Jon Bulette has left quite a digital trail. Among the search results was a photo of Jon dressed as a pirate-pig, a video of him kicking Santa in the nuts, and an announcement that he’d set the world record for “number of cracker-people created in one minute.” I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but by that point I’d done enough internet dating to know that, for better or worse, a man’s online presence isn’t always an accurate snapshot.

Jon asked me out after the last volunteer session of the year and our first date was a week later, on March 31st, 2012.  After that, we saw no point in coquettish flirtation. We would spend whole weekends together: Friday dinner would turn into Saturday wandering, which would turn into backyard barbecue, then dance party, then Sunday brunch, then Sunday nap. I met Jon’s incredible group of friends known as Smack of Jellyfish (long story) and loved them immediately, even at their most destructive. (Mac, Mike did throw that spoon. Case closed.) And I gave my heart to a pit bull-plott hound mix named Cybill Shepherd, my Dream Dog. 

These days our life together is filled with film projects, trips to amazing places, cheese-laden meals, backyard martinis, rambling walks, volunteer projects, beautiful friends, awesome roommates, and plans for the future. And always, dogs. Lots of dogs. (You’ll see them at the wedding, too.) Jon and I are also lucky to be close to our parents, whose own marriages are something we aspire to. And we seem to be on the right track. Although I loved Jon from the first time I saw him hunched in laughter and dressed, inexplicably, like a communist fisherman, I love him more now, and more each day.