I went on a date...

     I went on a date that wasn't my ex.

    I think I should rephrase that. I went on a first date with someone last night since 3 years. Let me tell you about it.

    Before I get to last night, let me tell you what led to it, because I'm putting it out in the universe... I feel some type of way about this one.

    So remember the Friday night bowling league I was subbing on? Yup. I met him there! But I'm getting ahead of myself. He was on the team of the guy who introduced me to the league. I always caught him in the corner of my eye, but I was afraid to say anything. I would just say hi and scamper off. He never pursued anything more, so I figured 'okay he isn't interested.' And that's okay!

    But he was the first guy, out of my three year relationship, that I actually stopped in my tracks with. The first guy since I was broken up with that made me want to try again. All because of a look people! Insert a face palm moment, because I know how it sounds.

    So let's take you to the day that changed. April 28th. We were bowling and the guy who added me to the league, Don, his birthday was that Monday so he told me I had to stay out for drinks. I finished bowling way earlier than Don, so I packed up my things and watched him and his team. I did my normal hi, how are you, how are you bowling type spiel. 

    Guys, I can't tell you, even to this day what changed, but it was like a floodgate opened and this man started talking to me! He engaged in full conversations and my heart started fluttering. I felt like I had a middle school crush and I'm 28 freaking years old.

    Now, if I gave you a list of things I look for in a guy. It's not him. I've always thought I was attracted to someone with dark hair, blue eyes, tall, tan and muscular. oh and I immediately refused to think of anyone romantically who had my brothers or dad's name. Being where I am now in life, I realize that looks help, but they definitely aren't everything. When I looked only off of those things, I let too many other important things slide. Like respect.

    So. This guy. He's only a few inches taller than me. I'm 5 foot 1, he's not tall but he's taller than me. He has dark hair, but he also has brown eyes. He has a beard, that I never thought I would like, but it's trimmed and neat. He has the same name as my dad. He's quiet and reserved, but he is a really nice person to talk to. 

    And that's what we did that night, talked. About silly little things, nothing important, but I left that bowling alley smiling. My cheeks hurt so much, I couldn't remember the last time I felt like that. That night when I got home, I saw I had a friend request.

    It was the simplest little message from him, "it was really good talking to you tonight." From there we haven't stopped communicating. He is genuine and funny. I was itching to answer my phone with every buzz. So I took the plunge and told him I found him attractive. Because I did. His personality and his looks to match really made me gravitate to him. 

    So, this weekend. We saw each other on Friday at a bowling tournament and I kept walking over to talk to him. Every time I saw him smile, it made me smile more. I couldn't help it. Saturday we went out to eat and then a movie. A totally standard first date. It was also the first time Andy and I would be alone together. 

    We met at Red robin over in Williamsville. We laughed and spoke for 2 hours in the restaurant. I paid. I wanted to, I knew he did, but I really just wanted to pay for our meal. But we didn't want to leave each other's presence yet. So we looked up what was playing and picked a movie for the 9:30pm slot. When we left the building this man held the door for me, moved me to the inside of the sidewalk so he was walking closest to the street, then walked me to my freaking car door and opened it for me. Guys, my jaw dropped to the floor and he even asked me what was wrong. I was too embarrassed to say anything so I shook my head and we drove separately down the street to the theater. I never had that type of treatment and it was a wonderful feeling to feel cherished that way.

    We went and saw Super Mario Bros. Movie. We held hands, spoke a little bit, and he kissed the top of my hand. Then maybe ten minutes into the movie, Andy moved the arm rest and like a tether, I just went right to him. I couldn't help but snuggle up next to him. My heart was pumping a million miles a minute, and I felt him look at me every couple minutes. When I would look up at him, I couldn't help but just smile.

Then he kissed me. 

    A soft, quick kiss, that made me melt. I can honestly say I haven't had this feeling in a very long time. Andy was the most perfect gentleman the rest of the night. Sure we shared a few more kisses and held hands, but at the end of the night, it was just perfect.

    I say this all because still, while writing about him, I feel like I'm making him up. I feel like I just described the men I read in my books. I never knew that guys could be that genuine, that pure and wholesome in my generation. 

    I know I say this type of stuff all the time when I start to talk to someone, but there is something about him that makes me get the flutters and that makes me smile. Who knows what's next in our journey. Maybe nothing, but hopefully something. And if there is something, I'll be forever grateful and cherish him because he treated me like a queen and I never realized that I could feel that valued.

Until next time,

Nicole Lynn