July 1 ~ A Groovy Love :)

We met at a video dating service.

It wasn't that we couldn't get a date. It was a tactical decision for both of us....for different reasons.

I was at the dating service location viewing the videotapes and profiles of those who had "selected" me....and viewing the tapes and profiles of those I wanted to "select." The annonymity of the process made asking someone out, or being asked out so much less stressful. You could select, accept, or reject, without ever seeing each other. The attention was so flattering and so non-threatening ~ it was great. I'm sure most of the members felt the same way.

As I walked back to my car that day, I heard a voice behind me calling my name. I looked back, but didn't recognize the man. It was R. It took me a minute. I realized I'd just "accepted" a date request from him, so I laughed at my inability to recognize a face and we talked in the parking lot for a few minutes tentatively setting up a date for the next weekend.

When I got in my car to drive away, I was suddenly overwhelmed with the sensation that I really wanted to date this person. I can't really explain it. It was this weirdly intense feeling that came out of the blue. He was following behind me in his car as we wove our way towards the freeway going to our respective homes. When we came to a red light, I decided I had to let him know that I was looking forward to our upcoming date. I jumped out of my car, walked back to his, and said, "Will Sunday work for you?" And his surprised face smiled and said, "Yeah. How about a picnic?" I said ok ~ and he said he'd call me.

He decided to take me to San Francisco for the picnic. As we drove into the city I found myself laughing the entire time. He was charming, seemed VERY smart, and so nice.

I was thinking to myself, "He's so funny!"

He was thinking ,"I can't believe she's laughing at these jokes I've known since the 4th Grade!"

Little did he know, I'm a sucker for stupid jokes and 4th grade humor. I still am.

Before finding a picnic location, he took me on one of those 1 hour bay cruises that go under the Golden Gate Bridge. We stood on the top deck, leaned against the railing, looking at the city and the bridge, both covered in August fog, and talked.

And talked...

And talked.....

The more we talked, the more ....(jeez what would the right word for this be?).....overcome.... with the sensation that I need to know this person I became.

We had sooooo many things in common. Big things. HUGE things. It was a connection that there are really no words for.

Later, we tried to weave our way into Golden Gate Park for our picnic. He was looking for the little lake where people row boats. (Looking back on this now....knowing how he loves SF, but hates to drive in it....I can't believe we even went there. lol) We never found the lake, but did find a beautiful grassy clearing, surrounded by trees. As he set up the picnic he'd brought, I was stunned. Not only was there wine and glasses, but he'd brought gourmet baby grapes, and all of these fancy cheeses, cracker, etc etc etc.... It was the sort of picnic basket Oprah or Martha Stewart would do.

NOT at all what I expected.

He told me later that he wanted to impress me. Why? I don't know...but he knocked my socks off with that one. I'm the kind of person who's happy in a ponytail, comfy clothes, enjoys a deli sandwhich, shops at Target....and probably would even if I were wealthy. He is very similar to me in that regard, I sensed that from the beginning.....so it was obvious he'd put extra thought and effort into this. I was feeling almost giddy at this point. lol

He drove me home, left me at the door of my apartment with a promise to call.

I ran to the phone to call my sister, my mom, anyone.....I was bursting with excitement from this date.....I had to tell someone right that minute.....

But as soon as the phone was picked up on the other end, I heard a knocking on my screen door. I looked around the wall and saw R standing there. I threw the phone down with a breathlessly yelped, "Call ya back!" and tried to calmly go open the screen door.

"I forgot something," he said as he walked in the door and kissed me soundly on the mouth...

"I'll call you," he said as he walked back out the door....and I stood there dumbstruck.

Ok...it was just a kiss, right?

Except my entire body felt like it'd been struck by lightening. My legs began shaking......my body began trembling......my brain went fuzzy.....

I had to go lie down.

I am not the "Southern Belle" type! lol

As soon as I got my head screwed back on, I rushed to the phone to call my Mom. I had to tell someone this story! My brother informed me that she and Dad were out for dinner, so I asked what restaurant.....hopped in my car and drove there.

Slipping into the booth with them, I said, "Hi! I just want you both to know that I've just met the man I'm going to marry."

They laughed. I'm sure they thought I was just excited and being dramatic...

I was never as sure of anything in my life.

And I was smart enough to know better than to tell R of my revelation.....because I knew he'd have to figure it out on his own.

He did. :)

Happy 16th Anniversary, Dearly. You still give me cobwebs. Growing old with you is the greatest journey of my life.

I love you. :)