Sunday, February 17, 2013

It Started With a List

     Several years ago after a slew of disappointing dates, my sister and I (and a couple bottles of wine) came up with a list of things we would like to see in our perfect match. At this point, I had spent most of career in the service industry, hence why there are several mentions of food or drink, but I have a theory you can tell a lot about a man by what he eats and drinks. Anyhow, back to this list. Without sounding shallow  (I promise you I'm not), here is what I can remember: 

My perfect match:



  • Knows how to drive a stick shift
  • Doesn't take longer to get ready than me
  • Doesn't drink out of a straw (to-go cups are the exception)
  • Drinks a "Manly" Drink ( If his favorite drink is a chocolate martini, by all means, but if I'm drinking scotch on the rocks, he better be able to choke down something a little stronger)
  • Knows how to order a steak
  • Tips well
  • Loves his family
  • Is nice to strangers
  • Keeps his word  (if he says "I'll call you tomorrow" that doesn't mean 4 days later)
     I give you this list only to introduce you to my life. For years, I was known as the girl with the worst dating luck. From being set up with a registered sexual offender to catching a glimpse of an ankle bracelet during a date (two separate individuals, mind you) I had terrible luck with dates. When I was 24, my roommate asked to introduce me to one of her high school friends. Always hesitant, I expected something along the lines of "Oh, no. Really, that's okay" to come out of my mouth, but for whatever reason "Really?! Yeah, that'd be great!" was what I heard myself say. I can't explain why, but I'm a firm believer that all things happen for reason so I went for it.

       From the moment I met JG, it was clear he was loved. He lit the room up with personality and optimism. He was everyone's friend and the life of the party. After our first date I realized he was also just my kind of guy. He drove a stick, was well dressed but timely, pulled the straw out of a glass during dinner, drank whiskey, talked highly of his family,  tipped well and called me the next day...and the next day...and the next day.   We ended things after a few months due only to conflicting schedules, but always stayed in touch.(I was in nursing school full time and bartending nights so my schedule wasn't exactly conducive to a whirlwind romance)

       Fast forward a few years later, I was at an IRL race with the less-than-stellar guy I was dating at the time and but I was texting JG  and wishing he was there. I came home from that trip, ended things with this less-than-stellar man and met JG for a drink later that week. Turns out, he had also just ended things with a less-than-stellar girl.  And still true to his word, he called me the next day...and the next day...and everyday since for the last four years. 

    As I type this, I'm sitting across from JG in our home. I share his last name now and most importantly of all, we share a future.  I am an expert of nothing.  Just a girl in my thirties, learning to juggle the demands of an exhausting job, the life of a newlywed, and the extended family of a devote Irish Catholic. I am quick-witted and sharp-tongued, but my heart is big and my intentions are good. This is our story and a chronicle of our life if you will.



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