Vivid memory.

I remember, with great detail, our first date. I was still working at Crestwood. It was supposed to snow that night, and this is where I got my first glimpse at how chivalrous he is: he texted and asked me to tell him where to pick me up, because he didn't want me to have to drive in the potential snow. I said my place would be best and had to send another text with the address because I forgot to put it in the first. I left work, excited about our date that evening. I remember thinking, "Well, isn't this funny that there isn't a flake falling from the sky yet?" on the way home.

I must have tried on about three different outfits before finally deciding on my black, short sleeved, button-up shirt with the black waist belt and dark jeans that cling all the way down your legs. I wore black earrings, thin and wide with one of those bohemian intricate, lacy designs. I wore black flats. My hair was long then, straight. I was nervous, which bemused me since I usually am never nervous on a date. There was something about him, though, that at that point I couldn't place my finger on.

He called to tell me he was outside, near my car, in the parking lot. My stomach turned a little as I walked out the door and turned the key in the lock. It was cold, typical for February. Still no snow.

I walked outside and into the parking lot, and there I saw his truck parked with the headlights dimmed, engine still running. I couldn't quite see him yet, and since it had been several days since that fateful night at the bar, I was afraid that I couldn't quite remember what he looked like (even though I knew I would find him handsome anyway). I opened the door and the smell of his light cologne and the truck came flowing towards me. He smiled; what a beautiful smile he has. I thought to myself "Wow, even in jeans and a sweatshirt this guy looks amazing." We hugged hello and proceeded to drive to the sushi place in Oakton he had found for our date.

We walked into the cozy atmosphere of the sushi restaurant, filled with the smell of rice, tea and seafood. The food was delicious, the conversation was lively, mellow and natural. We clicked, consistently and without interruption. I wasn't nervous eating around him, which was a first for me. Every time we looked at each other, we smiled, a knowing feeling there already.

After dinner, for which he paid, we went back to my place and sat and talked until close to 2am when he finally decided he had to drive home to get a few hours of rest before work. We hugged goodnight. I went to bed with my heart floating up out of my chest.

And now, almost three months later, I completely love him. I am his, in every way. I don't need him, but I want him, every minute. We fit perfectly together. What a rush, what a crazy wonderful feeling this is.