Stop the presses!

The dry spell, otherwise referred to as my entire life, is over.

I am officially dating.

WHAT!?

Ok, here’s the scoop.

Sunday night was a little cold. I know; BIG surprise. So, I grabbed a sweater. It just so happens that I grabbed a beautiful green knit cowl-neck sweater that April insisted I buy when I went to visit her a few weeks ago. It may be my favorite. It may be my lucky. Anyway. I went upstairs looking for chap stick or something, who cares? and looked in the mirror.
"Gee", I thought, "I look kinda cute, I want people to see this." So I tied my hair back, tucked the loose ends behind my ears (totally chic look for me by the way), put on a little makeup, nice shoes and grabbed a pad of paper and pen so I could go to the 24 hour Starbucks and write. I like to do that on occasion. At this point, it was around 12:15 am.

So, I drove to Starbucks. I get there, I make pleasant chit chat with Russ, the ex-potential-wish-we-had-more-time-because-it-could-have-been-great boyfriend, when in walk some other people. One is looking for a gift. I gladly helped out. I love this kind of stuff. His friend orders a drink and sits down. Five minutes go by and I finally make it to the order counter where my Pumpkin Spice Latte has been sitting there, waiting. I turn to find seating when gift-lookers friend says, "It's been there a while" and smiles. I said I knew, and laughed, no big-gee, it had to cool down right? He asked what I was writing, if I'm in college... We talked FOR HOURS! Literally, two hours! I didn't even realize it.

Oh, lord.

He is working on getting his Teaching Certificate in CT for Secondary Ed. He's a History Guy. I LOVE HISTORY! He found this interesting and cool. We talked about EVERYTHING! Politics, art, music, history, philosophy. WHERE has he been all my life? He kept saying things like "I should get your number so we can talk more" and "yeah, my ex-girlfriend thought..." OK, so you want my number and you're single is what you're telling me.

So, we exchanged numbers. Eventually we had to leave, his friend was tired and I was a little too. But it was great. He said, "Well, Patti, I have Tuesday off. So I'll give you a call and see what you're up to".

He is funny, intelligent, driven and cute. Not little buy cute, not uber hot, just simply attractive. I NEVER attract attractive guys. Just losers who are excessively short. He's taller!

Oh yeah his name is Jeff.

So, Tuesday rolls around… I love when they say they’ll call AND THEN THEY CALL!

My, but it makes a girl feel special. We agreed to meet up for coffee. He suggested a drink, I suggested the coffee. I'm more comfortable doing coffee than a drink in a bar. I don't do bars. Never have. I just don't feel good in them. Alcohol is best with few people and at home. But whatever.

I had a date.

I had a DATE! I NEVER date.

Picture: Snoopy dancing atop his dog house, ears flying to and fro, head kicked-back with cheesy grin...

Seriously, apart from one Wednesday night (YEARS AGO!) driving around CT looking for something to do with Alan, the knight in shining armor who allowed for a "ladies choice, front or back seat", I have NEVER had a date. I'm always the make-out buddy, never the girlfriend.

Again, we talked for hours. We met up at 8 and said goodnight at 11:45. At one point, I thought, “He’s not going to kiss me. He just wants a friend to talk to. That kind of sucks.” I thought I would have to settle for the goodnight hug he gave me while saying the standard “I had a really nice time with you tonight.” But, just as I was thinking that, he kissed me. It wasn’t that slow move in; make a girl’s heart beat like crazy kiss either. I must have blinked because I didn’t notice it until he actually kissed me. Love it. He said “I’ve wanted to do that since I met you”. We stood in the parking lot for a few more minutes kissing (I know, what a romantic setting) and then parted ways.

Wednesday afternoon he called and said that I could come by and visit him at work should I be "so inclined". So, I did. I knew he worked 5 - 11 so I stopped in at 8, just as he was taking his 15 minute break. I know, my timing in impeccable. He got me a cup of coffee and we sat and talked for a few minutes. He said that he needed to go out and grab a quick cigarette but that he'd be right back and then, since he didn't have tables, we could talk even after he went back to work. But taking April’s advice to “go by just to remind him how much he likes [me], then leave”, I said, "Oh, I'm not sticking around. You asked me to come by, I came by, now I'm going to go." Now, I said it cute. There was no harsh, sarcastic bitchy tone about it. "But," I added "I will walk you outside for your cigarette." We got outside and we talked for a few minutes. His Praxis test is coming up and he said that after it he "might need [my] support". So quasi date set up for Wednesday. He finished his cigarette and said "I really want to kiss you right now. But I don't want to get in trouble... Oh whatever." and kissed me anyway.

"Are you not supposed to do that at work?"
"Well, you know, I have to try to look professional. I have the apron and everything."
"I see. Well, should I not be sitting on the railing then?"
"No, you're fine. You're the customer."
"Oh. I see. I can do whatever I want."
"Basically."
So, I kissed him goodnight and left.

Fast-forward to Thursday night when I sent him a text message "Hope that work went well and any studying you do sinks in."

He replied "Hey u! Actually have an awful allergy attack, will call you after I study tomorrow. Have a good night."

Okay. Friday he called at about 3 or so to say Saturday is a go that sort of thing.

(Oh yeah, on Tuesday he invited me to a party on Saturday night. A friend's wife was having a birthday and he was allowed to bring a guest.)

"I'll call you after work" So, figuring he worked until about 11, I headed to the coffee shop at 10. He called a few minutes later, already home. "Do you want me to come out there?" "You can if you are so inclined," I said "but, it's up to you"
So, he showed up 25 minutes later. The powers I have... Pleasant conversation followed. School, his upcoming test. Every once in a while there would be a kiss thrown my way. Nothing gross or slobbery. I ended up with my head on his shoulder. He remarked that usually he wouldn't go for that sort of thing in public. But with me, it's different.

We went outside so he could smoke and decided not to go back in. We ended up at my car because it served as a place to sit. (On it not in it, calm down.) Kissing ensued. Happiness and joy abound. He is a really good kisser - did I mention that? We probably stayed there, by the car, kissing, hugging, talking, sitting... for about an hour. It was really nice. When he's around, when he's on my mind... I am this goofy, giggly, cute girl. It's weird, It's nauseating. It's so nice.

So, Saturday FINALLY rolled around. I must admit that I was a little nervous to be going to a party full of people I didn't know. As you may know, I don't much care for parties. We got there pretty early but only a few minutes before the guest of honor who jumped out of the car and called "Jeff! Hi! Oh, is this your date? Yeah!" Her name is Kathy, really lovely woman. When we walked in behind her she introduced us to her parents.

"That's Jeff. And that's Jeff's girlfriend Patti".

We both found this very funny.

It was a nice party, I met some great people. All musicians, or at least most... Kathy wants us (Jeff, me, herself and her husband) to go out for dinner some night soon and there is a standing invitation to drop by their condo whenever.

As we left Kathy said "It's really so nice to see that Jeff is dating. We've been saying he needs to for a while. But he has a brain so he can't date just anyone. And you are so perfect. I mean LOOK at you. You're beautiful and really genuine, I can tell."

Did I mention that I REALLY like Kathy? Everyone at this party thought that we had been dating for at least a few months, some even thought we were engaged. Huh.
We headed to Starbucks (where I parked) and went in to sit for a while. At one point he said
"Well, Miss never had a boyfriend" (which he still cannot believe)
"Yup, that's me."
"Do you want one?"
I just nodded and then, in my cutest little girl voice said
"Can I have one?"
"Yea, you can have one."
"But who should it be? I mean, there are so many guys to choose from..."
"Really?"
"I mean, I would pick you, but you already have a girlfriend."
"Do I? What's her name?"
"Well, according to Kathy, it's Patti."
"Yeah. I'd say so. That's my girlfriend."

cut to me, BEAMING!!!!!!

I really like this guy. He thinks I'm cute, he thinks I'm sweet, he thinks I'm interesting. And when he's around, I am those things. I don't do the stupid stuff. I do the cute stuff that 2 weeks ago made me GAG!

I'm a girlfriend! ME! Holy- just- wow.

It's gonna take some time to get used to this. Though, I kinda hope I never do.

So, I think that's it. That's a lot.

Love and all things green (Especially the sweater that started it all...)

Patti