Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Holy Shit Online Dating Almost Worked...

 ***UPDATE***

I want to keep this blog up, because before he turned into an asshole it was pretty damn cool.  So - this just turned into a practice relationship run.  Apparently all the fun stuff you read below was just part of the beginning courting phase.  I really thought he was a good guy but alas no.  Turned out to be a very cold person with some unresolved issues.  You can read about the demise here.

But for a few glorious months, the below blog was real.

I can officially say it now.
I have a boyfriend.
I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!



I can't friggin believe it.

I'm not going to sit here and tell you I enjoyed Online Dating.  OBVI - you saw my adventures.  Not great.  Anxiety ridden.  BLAH.

But just as I was about to throw in the towel here came the Viking.

My e-Harmony was just about to run out.  I had gone on my brief stint on Tinder to write about it, then was convinced by my friend to do the same for Bumble which I did.  I was so friggin jaded by the time I did these two that I was actually kind of an ass because I just didn't care.  The Viking was apparently intrigued so we made a date.

The night of my birthday my friends suggested I take a break from online dating for a while since it was really turning me quite bitter towards the male species.  I mean I was at the point of thinking all men were cowards.  And/or Assholes. And/or children.  And/or crazy.  I was so fucking done and my friends were feeling it.

I agreed and said THESE WORDS - "I will.  I have a date with this guy on Sunday and after that I'm turning off all my dating apps and throwing in the towel."

Welp - I did - but for a good reason.  I actually met a decent guy!

He doesn't live close, bout an hour/hour an a half away but he was willing to come my way for date 1.  I suggested DTSA.  He researched (He actually researched you guys!) and started suggesting places.  He got points for that alone.  Not being familiar with the area he was suggesting places that were closed.  Me, knowing DTSA well as it's one of my favorite places to hit up, I offered up Robbins Nest Wine Bar.  One of my favorite joints and an easy date spot.  We agreed to meet for a drink and if we hit it off we'd have dinner.  Our date was for 5pm on Sunday February 26th.

Now  - his epic beard and Viking like haircut is what stopped me when I was flipping through the deck of dudes on Bumble.  Then our brief app convo/into texting was good.  He mentioned something about being on the short side and as I walked up I saw this nice looking fellow standing outside looking at his phone.  Hmmm.  Not bad.  Not tall but not a midget either.  Height doesn't bother me all that much anyway but presence is important and he had it.  Then he looked up at me and smiled.  I was super nervous and my usual jittery self on a 1st date, but that smile made the butterflies flutter more.  He reached out his hand and I went in for a hug.  "I'm a hugger!" I said nervously. 

We headed inside and the poor guy almost got punched by me because he came up behind me to...are you ready for this guys.....PULL OUT MY CHAIR!



Yes.  I was that blown away.  He almost got smacked because I didn't know what he was doing.  Holy. Shit.

The rest of the date went swimmingly.  He is super chivalrous, very cool, respects women (alot), paid for everything, made me laugh, easy to talk to and I could get lost in his eyes.  We had our 1st kiss (which he actually asked permission for) before we headed to dinner and yes - chemistry was definitely there.  Dinner was at Eat Chow after I gave him my usual tour of Downtown Santa Ana.  Um - also - he walks on the street side.  Chivalry is not dead friends!

I drove home happy but not getting my hopes up at all because - well - we all know my constant dating fails.

Date 2 we met down in San Clemente which is a good halfway point for us and had dinner at my favorite - Fishermans Restaurant and Bar on the pier.  We then walked around for a while and ended up sitting on a picnic table on the beach and chatting with of courses kisses in between.  Delish.

After we parted ways this time there was going to be a big break in between our next date since he had to go to Alaska for work.  A month.  I was so bummed and totally ready for it to go south because that's exactly what happened with Sleeves.  2 really great dates - he goes a way for a few weeks - comes back and HELLO ASSHOLE.  You all know where that went.  This guy was going to be gone even longer so I was really trying not to get too excited but it was hard because I dug him.

The whole time he was gone we stayed in touch.  He sent me pictures from his trip which was rad and it really seemed like he wasn't going to ghost.  I had a few freak outs via text but he took it well.  We were really getting to know each other through our phones.  I really missed him and wanted to see him again and was hope hope hoping he wouldn't ghost!

When he returned I had planned for our date 3 at Descanso Gardens up in Pasadena.  I was really looking forward to this date because we would be together all day (and possibly all night...wink wink) and could really see if we click ya know?  1st of all I'd like to point out that HE BROUGHT ME PRESENTS!  That's right.  Not a bottle of wine or something like I thought (he had been asking me about my tastes in wine so I had a feeling I had a bottle coming) but presents - plural!  2 bottles of wine, a fun little snow hat and wine opener that says Alaska and a scarf.  He said he got the scarf because I wore a scarf on our 1st 2 dates.



Holy. Shit.  You paid attention to what I was wearing and then got me something?!!?!?!?!  Apparently thoughtful dudes still exist.

We then had a lovely date at Descanso (which you can see pics here), followed by Portos, followed by dinner in Fullerton, followed by....well....you know.

We have since gotten together every weekend since his return from Alaska.  Another lovely gardens trip you can see here.

The second time he came to my house for a date he brought me FLOWERS!

The 1st time I went down to his place he had a bottle of wine for me.  He also has a pint of my favorite Non Dairy Ben & Jerry's ice cream in his freezer for me.

WHAT?!




Since we don't live close, and he has split custody with his little, and our jobs etc we are limited in our time with each other but we really shoot for at least once a week.  He joined me for moms annual Easter Party (which we had to stop on the way because he wanted to get flowers for her!!!) and got to meet some of the fam and some of the friends.  I have met a couple of his friends who I adored.  I'll be meeting a few more of his friends in a few weeks and I'm hoping to introduce him to the rest of my crew soon.  We have a music festival coming up and a road trip to see my lil bro in August and guess what - we are FB official!  The amount of love that blew up for me on that made my soul and heart smile.  I do love that so many people are happy that I found a good dude!  My friends and family make me feel so damn loved.  Thanks you guys!




It's a total trip.  I know I'm super public with my life, hoping that my stories and adventures can relate to you readers on some level and make you giggle and so far it seems so with the awesome feedback I receive!

But the Viking seems to be a real guy.  I question him sometimes and all he says is "You can pinch me if you want."  He respects me, is honest with me, pays for stuff, has included me into his life more and more (I met the little last week and she's so cute!), is thoughtful and my latest experience which has made me adore him even more is HE PLANS SHIT!  He's already been researching and planning our road trip when all I've done is look at a map and think..."Hmm..the Grand Canyon isn't that far from my little brothers place".  He's an adult.  I'm dating a fucking adult you guys!!!!  Plus we even talk on the phone.  That's right.  You all know how I feel about the phone.

So it's true.  I'm currently a smitten kitten but I'm being careful too.  I try to check my emotions now and again.  I have no idea where this will go, but right now it's awesome and I'm taking it day by day and enjoying every minute.  I have a boyfriend.  I can't believe it.  As always: