The First Hello

Verse 1]
It started with a picture on a little glowing screen,
Never knew a simple hello could change everything.
Then I stepped off that airplane in North Carolina,
There you were waiting, and girl, I couldn't hide it.
Orange and black Veloster pulled up outside,
But all I really saw was that smile of yours that night.
We went to Zaxby's, your favorite place in town,
Nothing fancy 'bout it, but looking back right now...
[Pre-Chorus]
I didn't know forever
Could start that simple way,
But something in my heart knew
I didn't want you going away.
[Chorus]
'Cause I went from looking at your picture
To looking in your eyes,
From talking every single day
To needing you in my life.
From Zaxby's at a table
To forever by your side,
Funny how the biggest things
Start so small sometimes.
If I could go back to that first hello,
There's only one thing I'd tell that man I was—
"Boy, you don't know it yet,
But you just met the love of your life."
[Verse 2]
I was working nights down at the refinery,
Steel-toed boots, long hours, just another shift for me.
Then you told me we were having a baby,
And I swear the whole world stopped right there and changed me.
I couldn't wipe that smile off my face if I tried,
Thinking about a little piece of you and I.
We weren't even married, but I already knew,
There wasn't another life I wanted if it wasn't with you.
[Chorus]
'Cause I went from looking at your picture
To looking in your eyes,
From talking every single day
To building us a life.
From Zaxby's at a table
To a baby on the way,
Every road I'd ever traveled
Was leading to that day.
If I could go back to that first hello,
There's only one thing I'd tell that man I was—
"Boy, you don't know it yet,
But you just met the love of your life."
[Verse 3]
Then underneath that waterfall at McGalliard Falls,
I got down on one knee and gave you my all.
Had somebody there to catch the moment in a frame,
But no photograph could ever capture how I felt that day.
We signed our names down at that courthouse downtown,
But we weren't done making that forever vow.
At St. Francis of Assisi, standing before God,
I looked across at you and knew just what I had.
[Bridge – stripped down]
And someday when we're older,
And these years have come and gone,
When our baby's all grown up
And we've got silver coming on...
I hope you still catch me staring
Like I'm seeing you that first time,
'Cause underneath all those years, girl,
I'll still see that same smile.
[Final Chorus – full band]
We went from strangers on a screen
To a family and a home,
From "How was your day?" every night
To never walking alone.
From an orange and black Veloster
To a waterfall and a ring,
From a courthouse to that church
And all the life we've lived between.
And if God gave me one more lifetime,
I'd find my way back every time.
I'd take the same flight to Carolina,
Walk through those airport doors that night.
I'd eat that same meal there at Zaxby's,
I'd fall for that same smile...
And I'd spend every day after
Making you my wife.
[Outro – quiet acoustic]
Yeah, it started with a picture
On a little glowing screen...
Funny how one little hello
Became my everything.
And Maria, if you're wondering
After everything we've been through—
I'd still choose that first hello.
I'd still choose forever.
I'd still choose you.