Zac and I met in 8th grade at Sepulveda Junior High Schools back to school night. Although I did not attend Sepulveda at the time, I went to their back to school night because my boyfriend at the time, John Grande, attended Sepulveda. I recall walking into the gym at Sepulveda and being approached by this guy who asked me if I was looking for John. I said yes and Zac introduced himself to me. John had told me a lot about Zac and it was great to finally meet him. Shortly after that, Zac and I planned a surprise party for John. I introduced Zac to one of my girlfriends and they hit it off. As time went on Zac and I became better friends. He was great to talk to and he also kept an eye on John for me. As we became closer my mom warned me to be careful. She was positive that Zac had a thing for me and deep down she thought I had a thing for him as well. I told my mom she was crazy, and Zac and I were just friends. All along my mom said, "we'll see".

As time went by Zac and I became very close friends. After my years at Mount Gleason Junior High in ninth grade I decided to attend Sepulveda. Finally I would be at the same school as John and also be close to my good friend Zac. In the summer of 93 John received an Art summer school scholarship to CAL ARTS. I was devastated, what would I do all summer without my boyfriend? Zac promised that we would have fun and he would be there for me while John was gone. Still oblivious to the fact that Zac had a thing for me we started spending more one on one time together. As we spent more time together Zac started making subtle comments that suggested that he wanted me to be his girlfriend. Although John was my boyfriend, I will admit that I did a fair share of flirting with Zac, but that's all it was I mean he was my boyfriend's best friend. By the end of summer Zac and I had spent an enormous amount of time together and became very close. Zac had broken up with his girlfriend and for the first time I really began to think that I might have a thing for this forbidden guy. John returned from summer school and I was torn. My feelings for John were still there, but than there was Zac who was this wonderful guy just waiting in the wings. A few weeks later John made the decision easy for me. I found out that John had been interested in a few girls while at art school. I couldn't blame him we were 15 years old things happen. I confronted John on the issue and together we decided to call it quits.

Although I was a free girl I didn't think it was the best idea to publicize that I had a thing for my ex-boyfriend's best friend. Zac and I dated a while without anyone knowing. I didn't want to ruin the friendship John and Zac had and I also didn't want to hurt John in anyway. Eventually John found his own new love and Zac and I were able to tell people of our interest in each other. On May 30th 1994 Zac and I officially became a couple.

I think that it is wonderful that Zac and I both recall our meeting and courting so accurately. I also love that long long ago Zac stole my picture from John because he thought I was so beautiful, and he warned other guys not to ask me out right after John and I broke up because he had "dibs" on me. Although it took me a little longer than it took Zac to come to my senses and see that he was the one, I finally woke up. I look forward to spending my life with such a wonderful and persistent man! And oh ya, mom you were right, he does have a thing for me, and I have one for him!

Our story starts way back in 1991. Crystal and I were in 8th grade, but attending different junior-high schools. I was at Sepulveda Jr. High in North Hills, California, she was at Mount Gleason Middle School in Sunland, California. Our story begins with the obligatory introduction of a third individual.

On the first day of class, new student John Grande nervously walked the halls of Sepulveda Jr. High. We met early in the day and quickly became friends as a result of having several classes and interests in common. I later found out that he transferred to Sepulveda from Mount Gleason Middle School, leaving behind his comfortable neighborhood school and longtime girlfriend, Crystal (their relationship survived despite their enrollment in different schools). John spoke frequently of Crystal and complemented descriptions with pictures. In fact, I had become so familiar with her description, that I was able to point her out at Back-to-School night several months later.

Following our introduction that evening, Crystal and I became friends as a result of a covert operation to throw John a surprise birthday party (I was her inside man at the new school). John and I became best friends, with my friendship with Crystal growing in parallel. After bouncing around a few schools, Crystal ended up at Sepulveda the following year.

Despite her relationship with John (and my relationships with other girls ... I was holding my own), our relationship Continued to blossom. And of course, the inevitable happened (as pointed out by Billy Crystal). I found myself head over heels to my best friend's girlfriend. But I accept little blame for this taboo; we were young, she was gorgeous, and our friendship showed our tremendous compatibility.

The summer following 9th grade was a major turning point in our friendship (yes, still a friendship, I had to keep by feelings on the down low at this point). John was awarded a scholarship to study at Cal Arts. All of a sudden, I was no longer the third wheel. We spent the entire summer together, it was wonderful. My mind was filled with 'What if?'

John and Crystal ended up breaking up a few months later (over something unrelated). On and off for the next six months, Crystal and I dated in secrecy. Finally, in May of 1994, our relationship became 'official'.

We will celebrate our 7 year anniversary on May 30, 2001.