Sometimes guys will do crazy things when it comes to getting the woman of their dreams (even though she may wind up becoming a nightmare).
Take for instance, the story of Brad and Lynn. I met them last week at an event at SET in Miami Beach, regarded the premiere nightclub in Miami.
Brad is 39. Lynn is 25, a difference of 14 years. Think of it this way: When Brad was listening to With or Without You by U2 and graduating from high school, Lynn was just getting out of diapers and starting preschool. (But age is nothing but a number, right?)
The couple have been married for a year and a half, but it was how they got to that point that made for great conversation at the club.
During a bachelor party for a one of Brad's friends, the groom asked Brad to recruit some ladies. Amid the festivities at the Pawn Shop in downtown Miami, Lynn caught Brad's eye and he invited her and her friends to join the bachelor party. The bachelor met Lynn, but she was more interested in Brad, perhaps because he was confident enough not to devote all his attention to her. Brad and Lynn chatted, felt something of a spark, and exchanged phone numbers.
Three days later (going by the book) Brad gave Lynn a call and set up a Thursday night date, six days after they had met and two days before Brad's friend's wedding (Brad was a groomsman).
Their date went great, the chemistry and conversation sparkled, and they had enough drinks that a heavy make-out session ensued.
By the end of the night neither was in any condition to drive home, but Brad didn't offer Lynn a ride. Instead he called the bachelor, asked if he could crash at his place (which was full with parents and family members). He said goodbye to Lynn, grabbed a cab and took off. Meanwhile, Lynn somehow got home safely, but her journey didn't win Brad any brownie points.
Two days and hours before the wedding, there was no word from Lynn. Brad had figured she would call the morning after the date. Nothing. He tried calling that night during the rehearsal dinner. No answer. Saturday morning and still no sign from the woman he had become infatuated with and knew he wanted to share his life with. (Don't ask how he knew that. He just did.) Finally, as he was putting on his tux, he got a text message. Lynn was not happy with Brad's lack of chivalry and didn't know if she could see him again.
Brad would not take no for an answer, and knowing the clock was ticking down to his duties at the altar, he got his laptop from his car and started writing. And writing. And writing -- a three-page letter to Lynn, pouring out his feelings for her and what he admired about her; apologizing for his irresponsibility; quoting the likes of Shakespeare and Faulkner and Wordsworth (thanks to Google, no doubt). With 15 minutes to showtime, he e-mailed his Jerry Maguire-esque mission statement and sent her a text to check her e-mail.
As he raced to the church, his buddies reassured him he had done all he could. Better to leave no stone unturned in pursuit of his dream woman.
A few minutes before the wedding started, Brad got a text message. ''You have my attention now,'' it read. ``Call me after the wedding.''
Mission accomplished.
