Well, I was hoping to delay it to at least next year... 9 days and counting... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

AGG

That sounds more reasonable. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
(9 days vs. 2 weeks... hm... you don't need her even to come back!?! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

It's good to read happy stories this time of year. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

No, what for?? I was crazy about her before she even left...


I agree... If you had asked me a week ago, I would have sworn that (once again) I was about to spend the holidays with no one special in my life. This has been a very pleasant and unexpected surprise, I guess Santa was looking out for me...

AGG

I'm so happy for you AGG...now we can live vicariously through you AND Faith <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

HUGS!

Thanks Alluring! Y'all are welcome to live vicariously through this, with one condition - as my good MB friends, you'll whack me on the head if you see me doing something stupid with this whole thing. Promise?? If you do, then I will promise to keep you updated and not pull a "TheBigGuy" by disappearing <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

AGG

I'm really happy for you. And we will certainly whack you when necessary. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> just keep us posted so we'll know when a good 2x4 is needed! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

"I will promise to keep you updated and not pull a "TheBigGuy" by disappearing"

I'm with Alluring, watching, smiling, and enjoying reading the updates. It gives me hope and promise.

As far as TBG, he did do exactly that didn't he?!
Can't imagine him dumping the gang. Hope all is well in his life.

K!

I have his email addy around here somewhere..I'll send him one later tonight ..IF i remember...LOL

AH AGG, this just warms my heart. There's nothing like that feeling, that joy, at feeling some hope, no? Big smiles here for ya <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Very good sign! absolutely! Smart gal <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> Hmmmmmm.......I'm sure we can come up w/ some good stuff.......

DW

Yeah, it is the best, I am just still having trouble believing it's all for real. I'm getting there, though, and she is doing a great job making me comfortable with things <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.


OK, I am all ears <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

AGG

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Since it's not freezing there....

lunch or dinner and a walk in a park? or around a lake?

botanical gardens or zoo?

Thanks for the ideas, Faith. It'll be an evening date, so I am not sure how "outdoorsy" I want it to be... Would hate to get mugged or fall into a lake <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. But keep the ideas coming <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

AGG

Best wishes to you, AGG. I'm happy for you.

AGG - dern good fun, huh?

When you get WhoDat to chime in, you know you're attracting attention! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I hit the bull's eye as well with match.com. This was 1207 days ago today. I don't think eharmony existed then.

FWIW, here's some things I did soon after realizing I had a keeper. I "hid" my profile on match as a show of good faith - didn't want it to look like I considered myself still on the market. (Don't know if eharmony has a similar option.) I eased into discussing MB relationship principles and even introduced her to this forum - being totally open and honest about the circumstances of my marriage breakup. She even posted a couple of times. Bought a copy of "Fall in Love, Stay in Love", shared it with her, and we pretty soon filled out the EN questionaire together. All that took a month or two, but I credit it with helping us get off on the right foot.

So far, so good. Very good. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Be yourself - no one can do it better than you!

I really like to take a walk in the evening, preferably through a town with interesting shops or a nice, safe park. You can do this before or after dinner. If you do it before make sure no one is starving & you have time to relax then walk to the restaurant of choice. If you do it after dinner stop & get a coffee so you can sit together & not freeze.

Do you have any little clubs that play music you could go to after dinner?

Evening dates are rather limited for showing affection. Intimate restraunts are always nice. But, you know what? I think great first kisses can happen anywhere. You know why? Because in those few seconds before you kiss for the first time, everything and everyone else simply disappear. Poof. They're gone. You can't hear or see anything but the other person.

Now, I have had some first kisses that don't happen like that like the quick kiss goodnight. That won't be the case with you, AGG. The world will disappear.

WAT: I am so happy for you, you really deserve it after all the crap from way back. As far as hiding my profile, you bet. I am not one to multiple date, and I know a good, no, GREAT, thing when I see it - so I have already hid some of my remaining (even though inactive) profiles, as well as cut off any of my lingering e-mail contacts. What's funny (and refreshing) is that G is so direct and genuine that she the first woman with whom I feel no need to have the "are you dating anyone else" discussion. She has made it abundantly clear, without saying it, that she is not. I hate to say it (because I will jinx myself), but I knew she was a keeper before I even met her. Now I just know it for sure <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

nams: I do like the idea of an after-dinner walk, especially in a nice atmosphere. Shouldn't be too hard to find such a place here in LA - of course with my luck, it'll be raining for first time this season <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

GG: Just to clarify, the "first kiss" has already happened <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. It took place in the most romantic place of all, the mall parking structure - but as you said so well, at that moment, everything around me disappeared and time stood still... Still, I am hoping to make the repeat performance take place in a more appropriate location... Even though deep down inside I realize that once I see her again, it won't matter all that much where we are...

AGG

I hope for you the good experience I'm having.

Sometimes I ask my SO to pinch me - am I having a dream? I know it sounds childish, but that's what it seems like at times.

I frequently exclaim to myself, "This must be the way it's supposed to be. I'm being treated with the same respect and care and compassion that I treat her. Maybe my marriage was really, really bad from near the beginning?"

So, I share your giddyness and excitement - and it's been this way for me for over 39 months! Don't force it, be yourself, and allow things to progress. Savor the newness and allow the relationship to take root in its own time.

From a practical standpoint, I can't remember where you live, so I can't offer specific date suggestions. But please consider trying a variety of things - exhaust your ideas before repeating any. But make your first date location special and reserved for repeating on special occasions. This worked for me to establish the "he's so romantic" label to her family.

WAT