Dear Gym Husband,

I saw you at the gym yesterday. As I ran on the treadmill, you walked past me on your way to the free-weights. For what felt like eternity, our eyes locked and a wave of clarity rushed over my body. It may have only been a millisecond, but we had a very real connection that can’t be denied.

So in reality, we just exchanged awkward eye contact. But let me tell you, it was nothing short of absolutely magical.

For the past month, I have fallen desperately in love with you as I’ve watched you workout on a daily basis. All I know about you is what I see at the gym. But what all my friends don’t seem to understand when I tell them is: that’s all I need to see to know that you’re the one.

But nonetheless, I know very little about you, and we’ve never said a word to one another. But in the wee hours of last night, as I lay sleepless in my metaphorically empty dorm room, I think I planned our entire romance.

I’ve been trying to guess facts about you – creating a persona simply because I don’t know the real one.

So here it is: Your name is Jack, and you refuse to acknowledge that that’s short for Jackson. You play football in the fall, and that’s the only sport you play. So during the winter, spring, and summer, you stay in shape by going to the gym.

You go to community college right now and will be transferring to state school next year because it’s a good education at a sensible price. Right now your major is computer science, but you’re thinking of switching to exercise science. You don’t know yet what career you wish to pursue, but you’re not worried about your future. You have confidence in knowing that you’ll be able to find yourself in due time.

You really like me. You don’t know who I am and don’t recognize me from anywhere, but you see me at the gym every day. You love strong women, and I embody your idea of the perfect girl. And what you don’t know yet is that we are destined to be together.

It won’t be long before we finally talk to one another, fall helplessly in love, have a destination wedding in Maui, have three babies (Melanie, Oliver, and Vivian), almost divorce but then don’t, rekindle our love in Oahu (we decided to switch it up this time around), and die in our old age side-by-side.

But until we get there, we’re still on the topic of introduction. I’m still a complete stranger who happens to go to the same gym as you.

You think I’m really pretty despite the sweat-soaked shirt and red, exhausted face. You’re afraid to talk to me for so many reasons. I’m a complete stranger. What if I don’t realize you exist? What if I completely embarrass you in turning you down? What if I don’t feel the same way?

Well, Jack, I do feel the same way. I like you too, and I want you to come and talk to me. So next time you go run a mile on the treadmill, turn around and take the treadmill next to me. Let’s run a mile together.

Sincerely,

Your Gym Wife