OUR STORY
1960s
1970s
1990s
1980s
2010s
We got engaged in 2015
2000s
May, 1968 -
August, 1968 -
Gennette born
in LA, CA
We graduated
together
in 1986
We met at Moorpark H.S. in 1984
Darin completed
his Navy service
1986-1994
Gennette graduated from Sonoma State
in 1991
Darin graduated
from Western Washington Univ.
in 1997
We both earned our Master's Degrees from the University of Phoenix
We attended our 10 year H.S. reunion in 1996
We fell in love in 2012
We moved to Salem, MA in 2013
His Story
Darin Steven Detwiler
Her Story
Gennette Olimpia Zimmer
I remember Darin from high school. He was always “doing something” whether it be making corny jokes about being a student on the school board, or looking hawt playing the tuba in band.
Actually, what I remember was one day walking down the bus aisle and looking at him realizing he had dreamboat eyes.
But while we ran in the same circles, we weren’t close. With the exception of the 10-year reunion, we really didn’t have any connection after high school.
One day he messaged me through Facebook. He was coming to DC and wanted to hang out. Sure, it sounds great. End of story. A few months earlier I had declared to my cousin Ingrinette that I was DONE with dating. No more for me. I was enjoying my life in DC finally and dating was just taking away from that. So no more!!!
Yeah right.
Darin had decided he wanted to be friends. He was persistent. We messaged, we texted, we spoke on the phone. We had so much to talk about. But, he was going through a separation and divorce. I (and he) felt he had too much to deal with to even consider romantic feelings. Plus, you know, there was the no dating pact I had with myself.
One day, he was texting that he was at the grocery store. As a joke I said “oh, can you pick me up a pack of gum? I like Juicy Fruit.” A few days later I got a package in the mail. It was a pack of Juicy Fruit. And I thought “what am I doing?” Maybe he doesn’t have romantic notions but I am beginning to think I do. This guy…he’s a keeper and I am going to open my heart and see what happens.
And, well, THIS is what happened.
Most of you know all about the courting, dating long distance, moving in together, buying a house, processes through our Facebook posts and pictures. We are also addicted to selfies. We ARE that annoying couple, we know. But I don’t regret it a bit. I love this man and his proposal was wonderful. We are, as my friend Nicole said, “Peas in a pod”.
We have two mottos we live by: one is about expectation
“Something Wonderful
is About to Happen”
and the other is about acceptance
“The secret to having it all is
knowing you already do.”
It’s a good way to live, and I am honored to marry someone who feels the same as I.
I remember Gennette from high school. My life at that time was colored by the many adventures found in band and student government. She was in those two circles as this dancing, laughing, creative person. I actually thought she was a year older than everyone else.
Life takes people in directions they may not predict. Not all get an opportunity to revisit those from their past. I recall thinking that the high school reunion in 1996 was the last time I would see her.
When I found myself traveling to D.C. and that she was living there, the idea of contacting her made sense. Facebook messages seem low risk and so simple...yet I was so much a fish out of water, as I had not dated in about two decades.
Talking and texting, posts and pokes, GIFs and gum, selfies and shares: friendship grew to become something much more. Then we met up in-person. I had operated a nuclear reactor, aboard a Navy submarine, at the bottom of the ocean, during the Cold War...at no time was I as nervous back then as I was that night on our first date in D.C.
Our long-distance relationship was exciting. Moving to the East Coast was exciting. Relocating to the Boston area was exciting. Our first place together was exciting. Joining her in her passion for skiing and learning how to ski was exciting. Traveling with her is exciting. Completing projects around the house with her is exciting. Seeing the world with her is exciting. Being in-love with her is exciting.
I had no idea that this former high school classmate would become such an important person in my life. All the time I spent in the Navy and in university taught me nothing about life and love and about myself as has Gennette.
Perhaps the true measure of a sound relationship is finding that you have the best of times with the one you love even on those days when you do absolutely nothing.
Gennette has helped me find some of my strengths that I had previously allowed to gather cobwebs. While my past will always be a part of me, I owe much to her for the person who I am today. My present and my future with her quickly became two of the most rewarding elements of my life.
One cannot become a Dr. without having the perfect companion. The moment I proposed to Gennette will always shine bright in my soul.
Thankfully, she said "Yes!"
