4 years ago I was having a discussion with someone I worked with about the ‘special’ people I had met via online dating; guys who would call me 36 times after I said I wasn’t interested, jealousy on the first date, and some who were seriously lacking in the conversational skills. Krissie (my co-worker) said to me ‘HEY OMG THERE’S THIS GUY AT MY GYM HE’S A PERSONAL TRAINER AND SUPER CUTE I THINK YOU WOULD LIKE HIM!’ Sidenote: Krissie does actually talk like this, her typing is even more exuberant, I love her passion for life. I thought to myself ‘oh GREAT he sounds special’. She tells me a bit about him, how he’s new to the city, wanting to meet some people, etc. I’ll be honest…I wasn’t that keen on meeting this guy. The last thing I needed was to add another meathead bozo to the list of ‘special’ people I’ve met. So the subject changes and we start talking about other stuff. The next day Krissie calls me and says, ‘Hey so do you want his number?’ ’Who?’ (had completely forgotten about the conversation we had about ‘gym guy’) ‘Chad, the trainer at my gym!’ I was totally honest with her and said no because I knew I would never call him…I have kind of a shy side and was definitely not bold enough to call some dude I’d never met and see if he wants to hang out. So, with my permission she gave him my number. Little did I know what I was in for.
I was driving down Jasper Ave in Edmonton, on my way to go take Mr. Jinx for a walk in the river valley. I was cruising along, listening to music and singing along loudly when my phone rang. I turned the music down and picked up the phone – I didn’t recognize the number but I knew who it was. Gym guy. I let it ring while I stared at it. Should I answer this call or just let it go to voicemail? Screw it – what do I have to lose? On the third ring I answered the phone… my hands were shaking, I was totally nervous (no idea why). He had me laughing instantly and asked me if I wanted to get together for a drink. I suggested we meet on Sunday (it was a Friday), but Chad wanted to meet tonight. TONIGHT. I was sooo not mentally prepared but agreed anyway. A few hours later I was standing at the pub entrance, nervously watching the people around. I had no idea what this guy looked like, just that he was wearing a black shirt. Great. Then I look up and see him walking towards me. YES. He’s not some freaky muscle head with arms thicker than my waist and no neck! We spent a couple hours chatting and getting to know each other. It seemed we had a lot in common and plenty to talk about. We ended the night with a hug and discussed hanging out again, which we did, several times that week. He even helped me shop for a new couch…I needed someone to help me test it out. True story – I asked him to spoon me at the furniture store LOL!!
A friend of mine was hosting a BBQ on May 6 and told me I should invite this new guy along. I talked to Chad about it and he didn’t have any interesting plans going on that night so he agreed. We decided to call it a ‘date’ because we hadn’t officially gone on a date yet. He picked me up and we picked up Krissie and another friend, Robyn and headed over to the BBQ. The party was fun and we all decided to go out to the Trap and Gill (super classy bar, let me assure you). The place was packed and there was a live band playing Great Big Sea covers. Chad and I headed over to the bar to grab a drink. I’m not even sure how it happened but I turned around to say something and somehow his lips met mine and we had this…KISS. It was unlike anything I had experienced before. It felt as if we had been sharing kisses like that for years. I felt so at home in that moment. I knew this guy was something special.
We had a blast the rest of the night, taking silly photos and singing along to Mari Mac, played by the band.
4 years ago today I had a ‘first date’ with the man who understands me more than I understand myself, the man who provides still strength in my life and the man who lifts me up because he believes in me.
Sometimes taking chances really pays off and I am so glad that he took that chance in calling me, and I took that chance in answering the phone.
Happy first-date-iversary punky. <3
Photo credit: Jamie Delaine
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