The Friends

Saturday night marked an important event. Meeting the friends. Our Friday lunch conversation led to the realization that one couple was child free on Saturday. It was a matter of two and a half minutes until a time and place was determined. While the email I sent was posed as a question, I made it clear that it wasn't really a question of if he wanted to go out with my friends the next night. The question was, do you want to go out with my friends on Saturday or do you want to stay home alone. I think he laughed. It wasn't that we hadn't talked about meeting each other's friends. We just hadn't talked about it happening with such little notice.

Saturday morning, we went to breakfast, drove around a little to find the tennis courts still covered in snow (my tennis lessons are on hold for now), showed him my school and office, and then took a nice walk around my neighborhood. Then we took the dogs for a walk. All four of them. Getting four dogs to walk at the same pace is impossible. For us to take a walk together with the dogs means we'll have to leave some of the dogs at home. It's incredible that temps in the 50s seem like summer when you're used to 30 degrees.

Prior to leaving for breakfast, a warning was issued. Because he wanted to go back to The Breakfast Hut (he liked it more than the other diner we tried), I couldn't promise that we wouldn't run into my sister and brother-in-law. Their usual Saturday included The Hut, farmer's market, Sam's Club and Tractor Supply. They weren't there as we walked in so I thought we were safe. Alas, their morning had a late start and I saw them as we were walking out. The introduction was brief and cordial. And I'm wondering how long it took for her to call to my mom.

The evening went swimmingly. Conversations were varied, interesting and lively. I got knowing looks from my friends and from Jose. He did have a couple beers which led to the conversation on the way home of what things I say that shouldn't be repeated for others. Really, it was only the awkward moment of the evening that we had to laugh off so I can't complain. For the sake of my self preservation and that of my mom, ask me in person and I'll share.

I can't recall feeling so ....I don't even have a word for it. Comfortable? No, I need a word more meaningful. Content? Sounds like a word to use when you are settling. Positive? Too clinical. Happy? God, I sound like an idiot teenager. But that's it. I'm so happy. I'm happy with all the parts of the time I spend with him. I'm happy watching him when there is a soccer game on. He doesn't care who is playing, but still screams when someone scores a goal. I'm happy when he teases me about dumb stuff- like how I squeeze the toothpaste or my small TV in the living room or hitting potholes when I drive. He calls me a Girl Scout when I floss my teeth at night. He can tell me stories about politicians and government. He texts his daughter that he loves her every night. And he lets me know when he is thinking about me.

He's said to me, "I know you're not perfect, but you're perfect for me." That takes my breath away. But we're not going to rush anything. He keeps reminding me that we're going to get to know each other. I'm not sure if that is so I don't freak out or so he doesn't. So in June, he mentions that we will see where we are. I know where I am hoping to be.