J: Mr. November

The man who used to be know as Mr. Car Accident, now has an official name: Mr. November.

Nice guy.

We met for lunch today and had a great time. Splendid conversation. Actually, we got into some really interesting topics. He says that everyone sees him as a friend...a comfortable person, from the beginning...but you have to let him "grow on" you. Hmm...

I totally get that. I was comfortable with him from the start. But I still don't know about whether there can be more. He seemed interested in me. He was very complimentary (apparently, there's not tons of 'women of quality' on OKCupid...or at least if there are, he hasn't run into many of them.) And he seemed to be really happy to be out with me.

Throughout the meal, it seemed like he'd definitely be asking me out again but as we were walking out I got a hug (thank goodness not a goopy inappropriate kiss!) but he also threw out "call me if you want to get together again sometime, you have my number too".

I should have said: "I don't do that" so that he would know that he needed to call me if he wanted to see me again. I just don't know that there was enough there for me to go pursue him. Maybe he felt the same way. Or...maybe he could read that I'm not in the right place right now, myself.

But, he won the place of Mr. November. And...(you've heard this before)...if he calls and asks, I'll go out with him again. But he needs to make the call.

In the meantime, I've gotten daily texts from Mr. October. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling that little thrill when they arrive. I'm still giving the guy a chance. If only he knew that I'd be more interested if there was a less contact, not more. Interesting. Something to take note of myself. (Although it is nice to have someone thinking about me during the day.)

And, regarding this challenge, I feel like I finally can breathe. It's only the second day of November. I basically have two months before I have to worry about another date.

Is it possible that I won't actually find that man of my dreams through this experiment? It's looking that way.

Gosh, I hope Mr. December is fabulous.

J: Mr. Very-Last-Minute-Of-October

Well...I did it!

I officially got in my October date, with just 6 hours to spare.

Despite my September 'hiccup', I am still on track to have a perfect dating record for the year.

Dinner was actually quite nice. He let me choose the appetizer and I went with the bruschetta. Turns out he doesn't eat tomatoes and didn't mention it until the plate was on the table. Oops. But the wine and the main course and the dessert were all quite lovely.

Mr. October is definitely, definitely, definitely into me. No doubt. And right now, my ego needs that. I'm not sure how my heart feels about it though.

Our second date is already set. He pretty much got those plans firmed up about 5 minutes into the mushroom ravioli.

As for taking it slowly...he was having none of that. At my car, I went for the hug. He went for the kiss. A great big, passionate one. I tried to ease back as un-rudely as I could. Because really it was too much, too soon. He did smell good though...

Have I mentioned...this guy is INTO me.

I already have gotten a text (not even 30 mins from when we left the restaurant) thanking me for the night, confirming our next plans and letting me know that he'd be in touch during the week.

Yeah. He's into me.

And isn't that the way that it works? If nothing else this has helped me see that there is nothing wrong with me. I am charming, I am pretty, I am bright. I am fun, I am funny, I am (after all this practice) a great date. I make eye contact and 'actively' listen and ask good questions and express interest and smile and laugh and tease and can even be a little bit vulnerable when it's called for. There is absolutely no reason to not fall head-over-heels for me.

Other than, perhaps, just my nasty little habit of only really being able to truly fall for the ones who are unable to fall back.

J: New Day

It's a new day. New week. Almost a new month.

It's a gorgeous, sunny day. I'm getting ready to head out the door to meet a friend for church and then brunch. Might even go for a little bike ride this afternoon.

My hair is even behaving.

All this AND I have a date tonight.

I'm reminding myself that I wasn't all that super excited about Mr. September either (other than as a way to avoid Mr. May drama...which actually worked!) and look what that date led to.

Who knows, Mr. October might just be amazing.

Or, he won't and I'll have another story to tell.