Additional Coverage:
- My brother set me up with his coworker. I knew from our first date we were getting married. (businessinsider.com)
It all started with my brother. He and my now-husband worked together as engineers.
One day, my brother decided to play matchmaker, taking my picture to work and asking his colleagues if anyone was interested in meeting his sister. Stephen, my future husband, saw my photo and asked for a date.
At the time, I was living with my mom, freelancing, and recovering from a difficult period that included a bipolar diagnosis and time in a psychiatric ward. When Stephen called, I was busy with a deadline but agreed to a date at Applebee’s after he adorably read through the phone book looking for restaurant options.
I vividly remember that first date. We talked easily, and I felt surprisingly comfortable with him.
He asked lots of questions, and I, perhaps wisely, chose not to delve into my recent mental health struggles. After dinner, he took me on a short drive, and by the time he dropped me off, I had a strong feeling I’d just met my future husband.
I even woke my mom up to tell her!
A month later, he took me to Toronto where he experienced my bipolar disorder firsthand when I had a manic episode. It was a bit of a test for our fledgling relationship, but he handled it with grace. He even took me home to meet his family soon after, where I clarified some confusion about my career path – I was an English professor, not just a temporary office worker!
Three years later, we married in Ohio. We’ve now been married for almost 28 years and have weathered many storms together, including my breast cancer, my bipolar disorder, and our son’s autism diagnosis.
It hasn’t always been easy, but our love has remained a constant. Just like my psychiatrist predicted 30 years ago, Stephen has never left my side.
He even still brings me flowers. It all started with a simple question: “Does anyone want to meet my sister?”
and I’m forever grateful for my brother’s matchmaking skills.