There was once a time in my life when I sat through long, cold football games pretending to know what the hell was going on. After uprooting my life in New Brunswick and moving to Ontario with my mom, I was the new girl at a new high school where I met the man I would someday marry. But first, I would avoid him like the plague.
“He’s cute.” I gushed to a new friend while pointing to this tall, confident guy walking out of class.
“Tell anyone and I’ll kill you.” I added.
The next day, the entire school heard about the new girl’s crush on Eric.
I did what any mortified girl would do and avoided all eye contact while hiding down random staircases whenever he was within 100 feet of me. Or I would suddenly, urgently, need to go to the washroom. Libraries also made good hiding spots. I was willing to keep this up for the entire year if I had to. I only had a year until I graduated anyways.
That morning, Eric was in the locker room getting ready for football practice when his teammates told him about my rumoured crush. He didn’t believe them. “Why would she go after someone like me?” he asked. “You guys are messing with me.”
When my girlfriend confirmed to him it was true, Eric decided to mortify me even more by approaching me during student photos later that afternoon. I was stuck in a line up, going nowhere fast. Shoot me, he’s coming over!
“Hey Angela…” he said with a quivering smile.
My face turned the shade of a beet…no, make that a fire truck.
“Hey,” I replied casually.
“I’m Eric”
Awkward shaking of hands. Very awkward.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Waiting to get your photo taken…?”
“Yup…”
“You…?”
“Same…”
“Cool…”
“Cool.”
……….
……….
“Hey, are you going to the party on Friday night? I think someone mentioned you are going with the girls…” he asked
“I think so. It should be fun to meet some people. Are you…?”
“Yup, I’ll be there. Hopefully we can talk at the party…”
“Ok, see you then…”
“Thanks…I mean, bye…”
Whew he’s finally gone, I thought to myself.
Then it was time for my photo op.
Does my face look a bit flushed to you in this photo?
That’s what I thought. Thanks for flustering me Eric.
We played this awkward cat and mouse charade for a couple months. I showed up to his football games half watching, half ignoring him, as he tried to show off for me like guys often do. I was really there to examine his butt in spandex and talk with friends, though. He showed up at my locker every morning and waited for me after class. Sometimes he even drove me to Subway for lunch.
Two months later, we had our official first date on October 27, 2001. Football season also came to a close soon enough, and later, my confession that I had zero interest in football. I was a hockey girl through and through. Thankfully, he didn’t seem to mind. He does, however, refuse to give away his stinky football jersey hanging up in our closet. I decided to let him win that battle.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Black Bean Chili Dip
Yield
2.5 cups
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Reminiscent of a hot bowl of black bean chili, this chunky dip is great to pair alongside your favorite corn chips or crackers. I love Food Should Taste Good blue corn chips or sweet potato chips. To garnish, add some chopped green onion, avocado, cilantro, or your favorite cheeze.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chopped sweet onion
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
- 1.5 cups cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3/4 cup mild salsa
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)
- 1 tsp ground cumin (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- for garnish: chopped avocado, cilantro, cheeze, or green onion
Directions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add a bit of oil and sauté the chopped onion and garlic for about 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, remove seeds from jalapeno and chop finely (I use gloves so the seeds don’t sting my fingers). Add in the chopped jalapeno and sauté for another few minutes.
- Add in the drained and rinsed black beans, salsa, and corn. Stir well and cook for a few minutes. Now add the chili powder, cumin, and salt all to taste. Stir in the nutritional yeast if using. Cook on low until heated through and serve warm with corn chips. Garnish with green onion, chopped avocado, or fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I love easy appetizers like this one. I was done in 20 minutes and didn’t have to dirty a bunch of dishes or food processor. Touch down!
I’m also working on some crispy cornbread crackers…but they need some work.
If you need me, I’ll be hogging the black bean chili dip, wrapped in a warm blanket reading my book.
Just be sure to let me know when the halftime show begins. Then I’m all over it.
You can also email me the best Super Bowl commercials on Monday. I’ll watch those too.
So cute :)
That story is so adorable! Kind of wish that would happen to me… ;) That dip looks terrific, so colorful.
That is the most adorable story ever!!! Accompanied by such an awesome dip recipe-this seems like the perfect blog post to me!
Great story :)! Where abouts in NB? You have lots of fans here in Saint John!
Thanks Shannon. I lived in Riverview for a good part of my life.
Ohmygod you read my mind! I’m so craving something like that right now. You’ve reminded me of how much I’m missing good old sweetcorn! This is the perfect meal for me right now as it’s budget friendly, and seeing as I’m pretty much poor I’d like to say a big THANK-YOU! all the way from England, haha. Thank you Ange.
I loved this story. No fair not putting the picture of Eric up… I’ll be making this dip for the weekend. This looks amazing!
hah I couldn’t find it or trust me I would have!
Aw, love the story! It reminds me of me and my hubby – I moved for grade 12 too and that’s when we met. Although I didn’t admit to anyone that I liked him, and although we spent most of our time together we didn’t officially date until much later in the year. Who knew we’d end up married with kids? LOL. Your dip sounds delicious. Not something my hubby would like, but I would love it! It even looks like it would be good wrapped up in a tortilla with some rice or something :)
Awwwwwwwwwww! Love this story!
What a cute story!
such a cute and adorable ‘meeting’ story :)
Aww, such a cute story, thanks for sharing! That dips sounds awesome, and, even better, I think I have all the ingredients on hand, including a perfectly ripe avocado just begging to be put to use. I have a feeling I could make a dinner out of this. ;)
Funny you said that because we made it into a dinner tonight! I mixed it with marinara sauce and served it over pasta….sooooo good.
What a cute story! That dip looks mighty tasty :)
That story is precious and seriously could be straight out of a Judie Blume book! You two are too cute! Was this in high school?
Thanks Jamie. Yea it was in our last year of high school.
I have to tell you that I love your story!! So so so cute! It made me smile :)
I hope you start posting personal stories like this more often! You are a fantastic writer! :)
aw thanks Jill :)
Well, with jalapeno, onion and garlic leading the charge in this chili dip, it’s best to be pursuing a flame from the safety of a sideline so no matter how loud you cheer, you won’t be penalized! Then again, in my book, if he can’t love you through smoky garlic breath than he just isn’t worth it =)
haha well I didn’t think of it that way! Maybe the beer would cover it up? Now thats a nice combo.
Awww, I loved this post. I also met my husband in high school (during the school play!) so this brought back some fun memories. I can totally relate to the awkward getting-to-know-you moments. :)
I’m the same way when it comes to the super bowl. I like the halftime show and the commercials, but otherwise, I have no idea what’s going on, nor do I care to find out. haha
lol..yea same here. I’m sure if I took the time to learn I would enjoy it more, but I’m like naaaah.
Ha… that boy-girl awkwardness in this high school scene is so real…you instantly transported me back many years in replaying this memory. What an adorable beginning to your love story. You two seem to complement each other so well; his kindness and encouragement during your mountain climbing challenge was absolutely beautiful to observe. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and a tingly feeling in my heart this evening, Ange!
(Thanks for the black bean dip recipe too…looks like a winner!)
Thank you Karen, your comment is so appreciated!
Love your story! It makes me think of the first awkward run in my husband, also named Eric, and I had (plus, my name is Anje!) after Spanish class in college. :-)
haha that”s cute!
What a sweet story!