Our First Date

Eight years ago today - August 29th, 2005 after declining Craig's invitations for a date 3 times over the previous 8 months, I finally met him out for a drink to explain to him why I did not want to date someone I worked with and to ask him to finally stop asking me out on dates. 

It went like this:

I took the elevator up and walked into the lounge and there he was, already sitting there alone at a small table next to the big windows drinking a beer. I smiled at him as I walked over and sat down. He seemed relieved that I had actually shown up. The waitress came over and took my order of a glass of Chardonnay and Craig ordered another “non-alcoholic” beer. At this time I was unaware of his alcoholism and apologized profusely for ordering a glass of wine. “No, no,” he said, “it doesn’t bother me at all.”

We sat in awkward silence for a few moments staring out the wall of windows at the August sunshine flickering off of the lake as the boats gently swayed at the docks. I finally decided I was going to have to be the one to break the ice. Wanting to know more about him, I point-blank said to him: “so tell me about Craig Dodel”. That one question turned into a six-hour marathon. The conversation took off from there and when he asked about me, I laid everything out. We were both totally honest with each other, he was sweet, sincere and I have to admit, I became more and more intrigued as the night went on. I wasn’t playing any games. I had been used and abused in the past and I wasn’t going to take it ever again. His answers to my questions brought up new questions and I didn’t hesitate; I dug deeper and deeper and I just kept asking and he kept answering and asking back! I loved it. I didn’t want to waste my time on yet another mistake. I was bold and upfront. I asked open-ended question after open-ended question. Exhausted, he finally turned to me and said, “You know, you would’ve made a great attorney!”

Drinks turned into dinner and we didn’t leave the restaurant until 10 o’clock that night. Those six hours seemed like moments. He was the nicest man I had ever gone out on a date with. He treated me like a lady, he made no off-color jokes or remarks, he was a complete gentleman. He was just a real person with morals and values. It was incredibly refreshing and flattering. When I asked him the question I ask of all men, he was the only man who ever answered it exactly the way I would. “If you could have only three things on this earth, in life, in order of importance, what would they be?” His answer came quickly, “God, people and pets”. I then asked him “define love.” I was taken aback by his insight and intelligence with his answer and indeed, ever more impressed. He walked me to my car and we said goodnight. He kissed me and to my surprise, as he left he softly said, “I love you”. I was stunned as I stood in the street and watched him walk away to his car. The next morning when I arrived at work and turned on my computer I opened up my email and there was a message from him that simply read, 

“WOW”

Capitalized and centered.

We were married 3 months later.

I have no regrets.

I'd do it all over again and again.

Our 4 Year Anniversary at the same restaurant. We went back every year until it closed. Oh how I miss that man.

Happy First Date Anniversary Craig. I am so grateful you were so persistent. 
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.