Like I mentioned before, we only made plans for lunch and batting cages. Since we were going to be doing something active I didn't want to get totally "dolled" up. I wanted him to know I was sporty yet I could look cute doing it! I put on some tight black exercise pants - you know to show off the booty, a tank and a cute zip up. My hair was back in a ponytail but I made sure my face looked like it had a little effort put into it. It was almost 1 and I was so nervous. Because I got ready little early I was pacing around my house trying to keep myself busy while I waited.
Finally there was a knock at the door,
I know that this kind of thing is something you usually see in movies but I kid you not I opened the door and if it were a cartoon there would have been little red hearts floating around my head. The second I saw him "I knew." I knew that this was going to be something great - possibly forever. Before this, I never really believed in the whole "love at first sight" but at that exact moment - I became a believer. All my nerves seemed to just melt away and with our first face to face spoken words it felt as if we had known each other forever.
As I got in the car we basically picked up conversation that was created through our massive amounts of emails. Having built that foundation really helped ease the apprehension. About 20 minutes later we arrived at Pete's. Pete's is a very low key restaurant which, again, was a perfect setting for keeping down the nerves. In my head I expected lunch to last maybe an hour, especially since it's not a typical sit down place and things usually move quicker. However, we ended spending over 2 hours. The food had been cleared and the bill had been paid but we were just so enthralled with each other and deep into stories and laughter. Our waiter kept eyeing us and was getting pissed about us not leaving - but we didn't care. Finally, we decided it was time to hit the road and go hit some balls... baseball's.
I had never been to this sports complex so of course we got a little lost. Just a little, and it actualy made us laugh even more. When we finally found the place we went in and were very surpised. It was huge! Batting cages and two full size indoor soccer fields. We got out tokens and geared up to bat. Neither of us were great but we had a good time trying. Two rounds down and we were a little bored of it so we decided to move ourselves to soccer field which was open. There happen to be a volleyball on the field amongst the soccer balls. Since volleyball was my sport and soccer was his, we took turns showing each other a thing or two. Eventually we got kicked off the field because there was a kids game that was about to go on. This cut our date a little shorter than I think we both expected or wanted.
The good thing about how we set up this date is that IF this were to have been going bad this would have been the perfect time to use the "well I really need to get home to (insert lie here)." However this was exactly the opposite case. We both knew it was not the end of this date - in fact far from it. I mentioned to him the possibility of heading over to Walnut Creek to walk around and maybe grab a beer. He seemed to like the idea so we made our way back over to WC. The weather was great and it was still fairly early so we stopped at a pub and each got a delicious pint of Guinness. While at the pub we talked about our pasts and our families, really getting to know each other to the core. Again, time just seemed to fly but and all of the sudden it went from being 4pm to 6pm! Since neither of us had eaten since lunch, he offered up the idea to get dinner! - No, I think I'll go home now.....jk! Of course, I didn't want this day to end ever!
We walked around a bit down town and I pointed out certain things - where I used to work, good shops and other restaurants. It didn't take long before we both agreed a nice burger would really hit the spot. So, we headed over to Mel's Diner to do just that. The conversation here shifted a bit and we dove into the dreaded topic - ex's. We discussed our past relationships, who they were, what went wrong etc. It's always a touchy subject and if talked about at the wrong time and place can really throw a person off. However, when timed right it's just another way to really get to know a person for who they are and how they got to be the way they are. The older we get the more we get out of the relationships we're in. Unfortunately,that learning sometimes comes at the price of being in a terrible relationship. But looking on the bright side we then not only figure out what we do want in a partner but we figure out what we DON'T want.
By the time we were finished with dinner it was about 8pm. So let's see here, we have now been on out date for 7 hours. Believe me this is still early...
He drove me home. We parked across from my house and ended up just talking more in the car. Usually I have my phone on silent whenever I am on a date or with people worth not wanting to be distracted. Apparently I forgot to turn it on silent and it started ringing - loud. It was my mom. This would also normally be a call I would ignore. I mean who wants to talk to their mom while they are on a first date? But, I had a feeling so I answered it. While we had lost track of time she clearly hadn't and was getting concerned. In her eyes her daughter was out on a date with a stranger, left at 1 in the afternoon and it is now almost 9pm - where was I? I told her we were actually in front of the house, sitting in his car talking. "Come in!" She said. Now, for many people this would be a major dating faux pa - meet the parents on the first date? Growing up, I always had a house that friends always came to and I always brought guys I was dating home. So, I asked him if he wanted to come inside and luckily he didn't see phased by the idea.
As we entered my house my mom and dad were in the kitchen. I introduced them to Robert. I could immediately tell my Mom liked him (or at least thought he was good looking, which he was very!) Since he's a pilot, naturally my parents started talking about that and flying etc etc.. This lasted just a few minutes and they got the hint and gave us our privacy. We sat on the couch in the family room and continued our on going laughter. By now it was almost 11pm! He informed me that he really didn't want to leave but he had to fly out early the next morning. I totally understood but we both agreed we wanted to see each other again as soon as possible. He was coming home a few days later so we agreed that following Sunday would be date #2. I walked him to the door and before he walked to his car we looked into each other's eyes, both knowing exactly what the other person wanted - and we kissed. That first kiss just solidified the feelings I had 10 hours earlier when I opened the door.
I went upstairs to my room, took off my make up, put on my pajamas and got ready for bed. Before I got in I decided to text him, thanking him for the best date ever and how much I couldn't wait to see him. This is what I got back:
Rob: "Looks like I'm going to be in Walnut Creek tonight if you want to continue our marathon date?"
What??? How??? Where?? Why??? - these were the questions I should have asked but with the drop of a hat I put on a new outfit, slapped on a little make up and told my mom I was heading back out. I had to take my dad's car since my brother, who was asleep, was parked behind mine. Of course my mom told me to be careful.
On my out I decided, maybe I should figure out where he is.
Me: "Where are you?!"
Rob: "I'm at Motel 6"
What the FUCK??? - is what I should have been thinking..however I didn't care. I thought for one second - "maybe this isn't a good idea"...but then that thought was replaced with - "well if it's my time to go it's my time to go." All I knew is I wanted to see him again and was willing to risk whatever it was to make it happen.
Me: "Why are you there?"
Rob: " My car broke down...(which I did see on the side of the freeway)...I can't fly out so I have to stay in a hotel tonight"
Me: "Ok, be there in 10"
I arrived at the Motel 6 with a few knots in my stomach considering I was meeting a guy at a Motel 6 on the first date at midnight. He told me that his car had been acting up recently and was hoping throughout the date it wasn't going to break down. We both agreed it was fate that it broke down now, making it possible to see each other again. For the next 4 hours we laughed, talked, and yes, did some making out and mild groping of each other (well him on me more than me on him). I was so happy at this moment I really did not want this night to ever end. I didn't want to have to go home and I definitely didn't want him to have to leave either. But, when the clock read 5am and I still had my dad's car, I figured I better head home.
I got home around 6 am. Even if I wanted to I couldn't sleep. My heart was pounding and my mind was racing, all filled with such happiness and utter disbelief that I found this person - this amazing person who might actually be "the one." I knew my thoughts were typical - you know, the whole getting ahead of myself thing? But this was different, I actually believed it.
Around 9am I got a call from Robert asking if I wanted to meet him for coffee and breakfast. With only 3 hours actually apart from the beginning of our date I was so excited that he wanted to see me still. I rushed over the the Motel to pick him up. We had breakfast and coffee and then I took him to his car that was left on the side of the freeway. He called his uncle who lived on the Peninsula who eventually came, as well as AAA, and took him away from me. He flew out that night for work and thus beginning my 3 day wait to see him again. Nothing could have every led me to believe that at 1pm the day before I would have spent over 15 hours with a guy I met from Match.com.
Lesson #5 - Go with your instincts. Even though sometimes the situation may not seem right, if it feels right then go for it. You never know what might come from it and the last thing you want to do is miss out on what could be the beginning of something great. Never live with regrets - take chances and keep not only and open mind but an open heart.
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