the-story

Her Version

I was focused on my show. I was producing the 6:00 P.M. newscast that day. I heard some ‘techie guy’ was coming in, for what we assumed, would be a final interview. I was told he already had an iPad. They were weeks old — as a tech geek, I was green with envy. My bosses decided to bring him over to introduce us. He was looking to live close to the station… I offered some suggestions. He spilled a full bottle of Evian water on my desk at 5:50. I wasn’t impressed.

Still, we became great friends. He was Minnesota nice. I was an apologetic Canuck. He made me tea while I was sick at work…  I’ll never forget his line, “Happy Producer, happy life…”. Time passed and our friendship evolved. Well, you know the rest.

He has made me so much happier than he could know. I’ve found my best friend, love, confidant, bathroom dance partner… we like to break up the monotony of getting ready for the day with mini-concerts in pajamas.

Long story short, I’m so grateful for that day at Channel 9. I’ve found my everything and I can’t wait to say ‘I do’.

His Version

Unknown

One of the few pictures of Tara at her desk at WFTV-TV.

I blame the nerves. I had a lot on my mind. I was on a job interview, for crying out loud. A guy only has so much he should have to worry about! I had just arrived to Orlando from Tucson and I was at the WFTV-TV newsroom to audition for an anchor job. My suit was clean, tie was straight, no toothpaste on my shirt…I thought I had it together. But while sitting in my new boss’s office, he felt it was a good idea to meet Tara Manis…that ‘Canadian’ across the newsroom.

I played it cool. She was cute. She had trendy glasses on. I thought it was for show (I would later learn she can’t see a thing).  So I gave her the benefit of the doubt. But they worked for her. I made the move to shake her hand during the introduction. She was in a hurry. I was nervous as hell so OF COURSE I knocked her bottle of water over in a bobbled and nervous handshake attempt. She left.

I felt like an idiot.

But as time went on and I was eventually hired (hooray!), we became friends and she helped me acclimate to my new surroundings. And if you’ve ever moved somewhere alone, you know how important it is to have someone explain the surroundings to you.

Time passed. We clicked. The rest is history (including my job in Orlando…my job in Miami…well, you get it). But she’s always been right here for me. And her loyalty, love and friendship are what guys search their entire lives for…so I’m lucky.

Best ‘idiot’ move I’ve ever made.