I'm back to my old tricks again... lots of dates, lots of names flying around... yesterday I had a lunch date and a dinner date. And both went well.
Both are at least 10 years older than me. Both are divorced. One has two kids in college.
Let's talk about that one first - he shall hereinafter be referred to as Soccer Dad. We met online - OKCupid is my site of choice these days. A few very funny email exchanges, and we found ourselves at a lunch spot walking distance my front door. And his front door. Since over lunch we realized he lives 6 doors down from me. And, by the way, he consults for a colleague of mine. She called while we were at lunch. It's a dang small world. So he may be 10 years or so older than me, but he'll finish a half marathon a half hour before me. And he plays on four different soccer teams. So what if his kids are in their twenties?
We batted around some topics, but were both guarded over lunch. Why does it take a drink to make conversation go more smoothly? I was nervously chatty. Soccer Dad was dry, dry, dry. In a good way. Conversation moved at an uneven pace, and yet at the same time I wanted to talk to him more. I can't figure that one out.
Where is Soccer Dad now? Using his frequent flier miles to accompany a friend to a trip to Hawaii. Rough life.
Soccer Dad treated me to lunch, we walked back to our places, then he posed the "so now what?" question as we stood outside. I understand this to be the equivalent of "I enjoyed lunch enough to want to see you again. But rather than be direct... I'll put it on you!" We're going to find some batting cages or putt-putt, so we can see what happens when our competitive side comes out.
Then a few errands later, I find myself getting picked up by the Latin Lover at my house. He called to tell me he was on his way. He opened the door for me to get in the car. He took me out for a cocktail before dinner. We talked about sailing and his life running charters until he straightened up and came to the U.S. for college. We went over to dinner. I laughed at him because he forgot his glasses and couldn't read the menu. I found out how old he his, how he likes to critique food, what he wants his next career to be, why he got married and divorced, what he thinks of his father's girlfriend, what he enjoys for an after-dinner drink and many other surprising things. He took my hand as we left the restaurant and went for a walk. He freely discussed what we would do next time we went out... He kissed me at the end of the date, on my front doorstep, and left.
(He did let me split the dinner bill, and I know it's disingenuous when I offer expecting him to refuse and then judge him when he accepts. But judge I do.)
Latin Lover was confident and casual. Worldly but learning and interested. I'm intrigued. Our next date may be a day trip to the neighboring wine country.
There's a few more dates coming up... and I haven't stopped thinking about my trip to A-town, and the Super Hero is in touch lately planning his next trip out here. When will I have time to think about finding my new job? I might just be a boy-crazy teenager for a living.
