Candice and Jesse met very young, she was 12, and he was 17; though, it's safe to say that Candice noticed Jesse more than the reverse. Candice was friends with Jesse's first long-term girlfriend's little brother, and Jesse also attended Grand High School with Candice's older sister Julian.
Candice fondly remembers Jesse, as he always had food with him.
Their paths separated for the next 12 years, hundreds of pounds gained and lost later, they met again.
In their words -
Jesse:
My friend Andy was throwing a Halloween party, and I was assisting with the setup, as well as the guest list. I invited several people (read: girls) I hadn't spoken to in some time. Some of these old high school friends I became reacquainted with through my neighbor and good high school friend, Julia. She in turn invited a bunch of these girls I used to go to Grant with.
Andy and I dressed up as the Coors Light twins (pictures available upon request), decked out in short denim mini skirts.
Julia arrived with her friends, and re-introduced me to some friends from High School she brought along. There was Julia, Rachel, Jody,Jenny, Julian and her sister, Candice.
I remember pulling Julia aside and thanking her for inviting all the girls from high school I had a crush on! We laughed, and I said it was too bad that Candice was married - Julia explained to me that girls just wear rings to keep away creepy guys from hitting on them.
I thought it was only the creepy guys that would hit on girls with rings! She suggested I talk to her, so I did.
We danced for a bit, and were having fun. She looked at me, leaned over and in my ear said, "could you change out of that skirt?"
After awhile, the girls were getting ready to leave, and I asked for her number. After some guarantee that she wasn't giving me the number to the local Thriftway, they left.
Multiple phone calls later, and no response from Candice, my buddy Andy called me to say that some chick named Candice had left her jacket at his house. It was perfect, I had a hostage, and some leverage to get her to call me back.
She finally did.
We met at the downtown Starbucks; I remember I was on the phone with my friend Jaime, when this amazingly beautiful blond was walking across the street. I was complaining to Jaime about how I was meeting this Candice girl who wouldn't return my call, until I texted her that I had her jacket. This was a dead-end meeting for sure. I told Jamie about the girl walking across the street and she strongly encouraged me to hang up and go talk to her. I argued, but this girl came right up and started talking to me.
It was Candice.
Candice:
Two weeks before the Halloween party, I remember my sister trying to convince me to go with her. Suggesting that I would never find someone to marry by staying home on a Saturday night. I agreed to go, but let her know there was no way I would find someone at a "house party." And I would certainly not be dressing up. (thank god I didn't Jesse's outfit was enough for the both of us)
We drove with Julia (Jesse's and my sisters childhood friend) that Saturday night. I remember her talking about Jesse and thinking to myself that I knew him somehow. When we walked up the driveway we were met by a large man wearing a mini skirt and sporting a blond wig. I believe his shirt said "Got Candy" the message was easy enough to read being that this gentleman had a large glow underneath his shirt; created by two large nerf footballs meant to resemble bosoms. Jesse greeted us and that's when I realized how I knew him. Julian confirmed he was the one who had been dating my friends older sister. I remember how big he used to be and how much weight he had lost.
Later that night on the dancefloor Jesse made an appearance showing off his best moves! I had a lot of fun dancing with him especially after he removed his skirt:) The night was winding down and it was time for us to go. Jesse asked me for my number. I hesitated I don't give guys my number and if I do it's always off by a digit or two. My friends knew him and I figured I had known him since I was twelve so it would be ok. Jesse wanted to make sure he was getting the right number and for some reason he thought I would possibly give him Thriftway's number by accident. I assured him it was my seven digits he was getting.
He called me a few times and I didn't return his calls. Finally he sent me a text or two and I replied. When I met Jesse for coffee and to get my jacket back that Friday we met at 5pm and I didn't go home until 1am. We sat in the park blocks in mid November for three and a half hours talking. Then we went out for sushi and talked more. After sushi we went to Pied Cow for more coffee. We had so much in common, and more than just a love of caffeine! I had never felt so at ease and comfortable with being myself with anyone before that night and I knew in my heart and outside of my logic mind I had met my soul mate.
Jesse:
I just knew that freezing my arse off in the middle of November in downtown Portland was only worthwhile for her. I could barely walk when I got up, I mean, it was COOOLLLD!