About a month ago, I received a simple text message that read, “I have a guy for you. 32. Vegan. Intelligent. Cute.” At the time, I had all but removed myself from online dating and I stopped paying attention to NYC eye boning attempts. I was taking Patti Stanger’s advice and participating in a dating detox because I was tired of going out with one idiot after another. I was skeptical. Also this set-up was coming from a close friend and someone who understood what I had been through in my previous relationship on an entirely different level. This text message came from my ex’s sister.
I know. Awkward.
I reluctantly allowed her to give out my phone number and miraculously the 32-year-old intellectual vegan called when he said he would. We spent about an hour on the phone learning bits and pieces about each other’s lives and nervously asked the usual “getting-to-know-you’s” that always make me cringe. But he was easy to talk to, had a sexy phone voice, and we agreed to meet up on a Friday night in Hoboken at a steakhouse.
Yup. You read that correctly. A vegetarian and a vegan walk into a steakhouse. In my defense, it was the only place I could think of that didn’t attract an army of meathead frat boys looking to play beer pong and I was hoping it would provide a relatively low-key atmosphere for our first encounter.
Somehow he beat me to the restaurant and waited patiently outside. I took a moment to compose myself and checked him out from across the street. Tall and way cuter in person than in the photos he had emailed me. I crossed the street when the light changed, smiled hello, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Wow. Totally way cuter.
We made our way to the dining area upstairs and ordered a round of drinks. After two glasses of wine (I stuck to a two-drink maximum—Patti would be so proud!), the night was still young, the bar had filled in quickly, and the music was decidedly louder (and more fist-bumpier). I thought maybe I should invite him over for some tea (it was a cold night) and because I wasn’t quite ready to end our conversation.
We broke his first rule of dating. We kissed. Passionately. I had actually forgotten what it was like to be kissed without a Captain Roaminghands behind the wheel. He pulled my sweater down so I wouldn’t get cold and gently wrapped his arms around me. We cuddled on the couch for hours, my head against his chest, and talked. No funny business.
Some mornings I wake up to discover beautiful poetry from him in my inbox. When I told him I had been feeling a bit stressed out, he brought over some Ravi Shankar which I’ve been listening to on my morning commute. He has already fixed my computer, taken out my AC, and seems intent on erasing the memory of all the bad ones who existed before him.
We’ve gone out quite a few more times since (he teases me for keeping track). My eyes are blurry from late-night conversations about our families, the importance of meditation and yoga, our love of music, and life goals. My fingers are numb from text messages (and my friend made fun of me for sneaking them in during our trip to Newport). My face is frozen in a permagrin, the likes of which I haven’t sported since God knows when.
I like him. A lot.
We have agreed to take things slowly. In the meantime, I feel the feelings I forgot and welcome the gentle flutter of butterflies.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I got chills about 42 times reading this! I think the beginning of this adventure should be titled “A vegetarian and a vegan walk into a steakhouse.” It perfectly reflects the “unlikely-ness” of TRYING to make these things happen. We don’t make them happen. They happen to us.
Enjoy this, embrace it, don’t overthink it… The butterflies are wonderful.
Nicole´s last [type] ..“The world has grown suspicious of anything that looks like a happily married life.” ~Oscar Wilde
Oh my gosh! I am all teary eyed over here because I am so happy for you!! How in the world have you kept this a secret? I love the butterflies and I love those warm fuzzy feelings. I am just so happy for you. Does he know about the blog?
Jayme (RandomBlogette)´s last [type] ..What The What?!
I think I’m “smitten” over him too, now.
It’s been decades since I felt butterflies but I think you just reminded me of what they felt like.
Thanks for that!
Hoping for the best.
Your Friend, m.
Mark´s last [type] ..Interview with an Occupier
How WONDERFUL! I have permagrin after reading this. It’s always when you stop looking that you find what you’re looking for. Ahh, the irony. All that matters though is that you found it. I wish the best for you Charlotte!
Forgive me but I might just have squealed a little bit. Oh my gosh Charlotte! He sounds amazing and sweet and genuine! And I am damn happy for you, you deserve someone like that!
SQUEEEE!!! You so deserve this! And poetry?! He’s sending you poetry?! Total swoon!
Bonda84´s last [type] ..Like No One Before
OMGOSH. My insides filled with so much happy as I read this!
I think I may have a permagrin on my face for the rest of the day! He sounds great! But more importantly, I’m happy you guys are fitting so nicely together and enjoying each other’s company!
I hope you really enjoy this moment and I hope it continues to build on excellence! eeee! eeee! eeee! So super duper happy for you!
Also, it means so much to me when you come back and comment on all the posts you may have missed, you’re such a great “blogger” friend to have! Hopefully, one day IRL friend. haha, Anyhow, thanks! It always makes me feel special.
Gia´s last [type] ..I suck at this.
Sounds nice. Taking things slow is always a good idea, but it’s funny how soon that goes right out the window. I hope it works out for you two. Sounds like it is off to a smooth start at least.
Woohoo, I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to read more
Stacy´s last [type] ..Chicken Pot Pie with Chive Biscuits (on top!)
I’ve been waiting to hear the details…eeeeeee! I couldn’t be happier for you friend!
Hutch´s last [type] ..101 in 1001
yay!!! i can’t tell you how happy i am for you…you have been waiting so long for someone like this to come around, and you deserve every minute of the happiness/excitement/butterflies you are experiencing. i definitely need to hear more about this!!! love you!!!
Charlotte… you’ve opened a can of worms here! LOL And now, you’ll just have to bring us along on this journey of yours.
Can you tell that we are all excited for you?? I would have squealed myself, but my hubby just fell asleep and I don’t want to wake him. Go butterflies GO! Keep us updated!
Dawnee´s last [type] ..It’s OK…
YAY! I’m so happy for you.
Smitten. I love the word “smitten”. It puts it out there, but at the same time, keeps your heart safe!
Sorta Southern Single Mom´s last [type] ..We Salute You
I knew it.
I have felt it in my bones for a month now. I just knew something was coming your way. Remember the last comment I left here saying so?
I KNEW IT.
xo
Alexandra´s last [type] ..Bil Keane, You Made It All Possible
YAY! I am THRILLED for you! You deserve a permagrin
XOXOXO
Can’t wait to hear more!
Brandy Harris´s last [type] ..Self Reminders: Volume 9
I couldn’t help smiling throughout that entire email. I’m so happy and excited for you. I can’t wait to hear more!
Shana´s last [type] ..Random Musings Friday…
I’m so happy that your journey has lead you here, Charlotte! Every blissful moment will be so much more appreciated now, especially after enduring all those bad apples. But I feel that all that you went through (and what most of us went through when dating) was to help you recognize the real thing
Lol. Im over the moon happy for you!! This is very ironic because I recently starting dating an awesome guy, too. Whoot!! Thanks for sharing your happiness.
This makes me smile so very, very, very much!! Ooooh, how I wish I could give you a hug!
Fingers and toes crossed that this keeps on keepin on!
this is incredible!!! You are two peas in a pod. May the permagrin be long-lived!!!
Oooh, this gives me goosebumps. I could not be happier for you. Enjoy every minute.
Oh my heart, yes this! You so deserve all for he butterflies and snuggles and poetry! Yay for you!!
(Also, the steakhouse? I die.)
xo
I KNEW Paris would be good luck!
What a great post! I was getting butterflies just reading it and going through the emotions with you. I’m happy that you have found someone that meshes so well with you. I’ll be following along watching this story turn into hopefully a fairytale.
Aw. What a sweet and caring man. (Love hearing this!)
It is the selfish ones that help us to recognize the generous ones, right? And so happy to hear you are taking things *slow*. That is a very good sign.
http://www.girlwithanewlife.com/2011/10/writing-challenge-something-stolen-part_26.html
I’ve almost forgotten what that feels like, but I am SO happy for you!
Amazing news! So so happy for you! I’m smitten for you…pass some smitten-ness to me!
-Leaza in Denver
Butterflies are highly underrated animals.
congrats on finding yours.
WOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!
Eeeeep!!
So, soooo freakin’ awesome! I’m beyond rapt for you and you deserve this wonderfulness. (Yes, I know, that’s not really a word. Heh heh.) He sounds magnificent…squeee!
Love that you’ve decided to take things slow and see where it all takes you…taking things slow and being mellow is the best thing, I found.
::hug::
I am smiling!!
HOW AM I JUST NOW READING THIS?!?!?!
So exciting, lady!! (And smitten just so happens to be one of my most favorite words.) I cannot wait to keep reading about how things are going!
Ooh, this post is giving me butterflies! Have fun dear! I’m living vicariously through you.
Squee! I LOVE happy dating stories!