We’re Kicking Off the 30-Day Romance Challenge with “The Story of How We Met.”
If you missed last week’s newsletter – which outlines the entire challenge, week by week, you can view it here: https://annmariekelly.com/2025/07/31/august-romance-awareness-month-2025/
Week 1 starts now!
In the Beginning…
Joseph was always a bit shy when we went someplace with couples who were new to us. So, to help get a conversation going, he started asking them how they met. He learned quickly that people LOVE telling their story. They look at each other, they laugh, and almost always, the story ends with a smile. He also learned that there are different versions of the same story, depending on who’s telling it.
So this week, tell your story….to each other.
Here’s my story of how Joseph and I met….
Joseph and I met at a Reiki exchange in Bryn Mawr PA on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
That Sunday was cold—really cold. Too cold to go out, I thought. Also, the night before I’d broken off a casual relationship and was feeling blah. Plus, I’d never been to a Reiki event before. What if, I wondered, it was full of overly “woo-woo” types? I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in or if I’d regret showing up.
I seemed to have every excuse not to go. Honestly, I just wanted to stay home and have myself a pity party.
Then my cousin called. When I told her I was thinking of skipping the exchange, she shouted through the phone: “You do this every time. Every time you break up with someone, you shut down. Stop it. Go to the damn Reiki.”
I was startled by her angry tone. I quickly ended the call, and then showered and dressed, and went to the “damn Reiki thing.”
The “Reiki house” was a small twin tucked in at the end of Summit Grove Avenue, a tiny street in the shadow of Bryn Mawr Hospital. Parking was a nightmare. I circled the road several times before finally squeezing into a tight parallel spot. As I got out of the car, clutching a bag of apples I brought to share, I noticed a guy walking my way. He looked like a “Reiki type” and I said hi. That guy was Joseph. He was, in fact, going to the same place.
It was too cold for small talk but we walked to the house together, about a half-block. Once inside, there ten people who showed up, and after quick introductions, we split into two groups for hands-on healing. Joseph and I were in the same group. As we like to tease now: we had our hands all over each other the first time we met. 😂
After everyone got their Reiki treatment, we all shared some food and light conversation. Then I said my goodbyes and left.
I was about halfway home when I realized I’d forgotten my handbag. I turned around and rushed back to the Reiki house… just in time to see Joseph walking out the door. We chatted just long enough for me to find out that he’d parked in a faraway lot. Since it was freezing, I offered him a ride.
Something happened during our very casual conversation on that short drive. I guess you could say there was a spark. I don’t remember what we talked about—but I do remember how it felt: easy, kind, and familiar. As he was getting out of my car, Joseph and I discovered we lived just a mile apart. One of us said, “Hey, maybe we can get together to do Reiki sometime.” It sounded good to both of us, and we exchanged phone numbers.
It was the most unexpected beginning to something special. All those little moments—showing up, forgetting my bag, offering a ride—lined up. It was like the universe was saying, “Here you go.”
Love doesn’t always knock. Sometimes it can sneak in while you’re giving Reiki to a stranger on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Your Turn!
How Did You and Your Partner Meet?
Email me annmarie@annmariekelly.com or post your story on social media and tag me!
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IG: @annmariekelly.1
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Use hashtag #FiveYearRomanceChallenge so I can celebrate you and your partner and feature your posts!
Are you ready for more romance?? Be sure to check out the daily inspiration, conversation prompts, reflection ideas and romance tasks on your favorite social media platform (LinkedIn:, Facebook, Instagram) – I’ll be posting daily!
With love and in victory,
Annmarie
