It was a great summer in 2006. I had just finished my junior year of high school, she had just finished her sophomore year. We were both 16, although I was on the verge of 17 while she was just starting her driving experience. We both went to Baylor band camp, for my 3rd year, her 2nd (yet we never met the year before even though we were in the same band. It does turn out however, that she remembered me being the kid who fell asleep in rehearsal). Some how (despite both of us feeling our auditions were horrible) she managed to make piccolo in wind ensemble and I managed to make first chair in wind ensemble. Somehow we both managed to make orchestra as well (well, she should have, very few orchestra pieces have saxophone(s)). It was Gershwin's 'An American in Paris'. This piece happened to have a saxophone section. Luckily Crystal was also assigned to this piece. I remember walking into our first rehearsal and seeing only a few empty chairs. Mr. Heyde quickly told the other 2 saxophones to sit on one of the risers and was quite hesitant in placing me. Looking about I noticed this beautiful blonde girl sitting with her piccolo out, practicing her music and an empty chair next to her. I quickly decided that I would somehow introduce myself whether or not I was lucky enough to sit next to her. Luckily for me, Mr. Heyde also saw the same open chair and directed me towards it. I quickly put my music down turned to my left and introduced myself to this beautiful girl Crystal. I don't remember a whole lot of our first conversation except when she originally told me she was from Big Spring, I was rather excited thinking she meant Spring, as in, right next to Cypress. I was extremely mistaken and she was quick to take my hand, form the shape of Texas with it and explain where Big Spring was. It all felt very natural and I remember very quickly being in awe of this extremely talented, smart, sweet and beautiful girl. Soon though, we realized that this rehearsal didn't consist of anything that us saxophone's played so we were kicked out, but I have never forgotten how talented she sounded and with how much grace she played.
The rest of the week was much of the same, slowly getting to know more about her and slowly (or maybe it was quickly) falling more and more for her each day. Eventually while waiting to rehearse our piece, we were sitting in the audience when I noticed her wearing a beautiful red dress (for the chamber concert later that evening). I gathered up the courage to ask her to waltz. Nervously and embarrassed I remember her looking down and saying 'um... no...'. The first of a few rejections. At the end of the week I managed to get her to teach me piccolo (which really did come in handy in Jazz Ensemble in the future) when I finally gathered the courage for her phone number. Later that summer after we had spent many nights talking (and back then we talked for hours, or well this is still VERY true) I asked her out. She happily said yes, although the distance and our schedules would seem to be too much. I didn't know she didn't call boys back then, and we were both busy with out marching bands, her a drum major, and myself a section leader and playing in the Young Sounds of Houston Jazz Orchestra. Sadly these things mixed with distance and time caused us to lose touch for a few months. Eventually by the time we both had time I started calling her regularly again, and we picked up right where we left off, except for the fact that she had started dating someone else (something I wouldn't actually learn until quite a bit later).
Another summer came, and while I wasn't supposed to be able to return to camp, someone with a scholarship didn't so Dr.J at the last minute offered it to me. I had no idea if Crystal was coming this year or not, but it was really the only reason I decided to come that summer. Luckily for me, she did show up, but was rather sick with Mono the whole week. I happily spent as much time as I could with her and enjoyed every moment of it. I tried holding her hand a few times that she rejected (although she'll argue otherwise) but eventually by Thursday night she did. It was a lovely feeling. Sadly the next night, after my asking if she liked anyone (in hopes of her response being me of course), in front of North Russel, she regretfully informed me she had a boyfriend, since we lost touch for so long. Sad, but not yet defeated I gave her a hug and told her, 'I promise if anything happens, I will still be here waiting for you'. The next afternoon we went to lunch with her parents and I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek goodbye ( a kiss that wouldn't be returned until much later). Due to her not having pockets though, I somehow managed to end up with her phone. I frantically tried to call her family and alert them to come back to Waco (I stayed another few days for freshman orientation). Luckily she noticed and called me and I got to see her one last time, before 4 years went by.
For a few years, we kept in regular contact, keeping the same length and quality conversations as before. I always reminded her that I would still be waiting and apologized for my lack of communication earlier. Interestingly enough, she really never mentioned her boyfriend to me, but after a few years I had sort of given up hope. I felt they would be getting married eventually and that I probably wouldn't be returning to her life.
Eventually I started dating Amanda, and at this time our communication faded once more, but she always stuck in the back of my mind. I dated Amanda for nearly 2 years before we decided we were unhappy and broke it off. Literally the next day Crystal messaged me on facebook asking how I'd been (she didn't know about the break up). I explained what had happened with Amanda and I, and it turns out her and her boyfriend were at the same place really. It was quite an amazing feeling. It was as if God had held the promise I made true for me. Eventually Crystal and her (then) boyfriend broke up, and as I had promised 4 years earlier I was there waiting.
Ever since, we've talked everyday and fallen deeper in love everyday. On July 5th, 2011 I drove up to Lubbock (from Houston) to spend a week with her and then she rode back with me and spent a week in Houston and got a plane ticket home so we could spend as much time as possible together. I absolutely couldn't be happier to have her in my life and in my arms again. This is the girl I fell in love with 5 years ago. We've both grown so much since then, and sort of luckily it has kept us from having to spend all the time apart, since now it will only be a year before we get to be together always. We try to see each other every few weeks for now, but I cannot wait until the day she is always with me.
Just thinking about how near impossible our meeting and getting together has been, stuns me. I know God must have been a large part of it. I am so very glad he helped me hold that promise true for 4 years. It is absolutely incredible.
Crystal Anne Ward, I love you with all my heart. You are an incredibly talented, brilliant, sweet, loving, kind and beautiful woman. I'm so very lucky to have you in my life. I absolutely couldn't be happier dear.
