Here and now

A friend was telling me this week that she has a second date with a nice guy tomorrow. Her friends, based on a photo, have told her she's out of his league and that she should drop him.

Yikes.

By contrast, I have a second date tomorrow with a nice guy and I have entertained no opinions. It has taken a while to get here, but I don't give a rat's you-know-what what other people think of him. Not even people I love. I don't know him myself yet. Why would I put a vote on the floor?

I told my friend she needs to set boundaries with her friends. I asked her if any of these people were involved in relationships and if they had indeed picked their significant others by themselves or by committee. I suggested she take it as fast or as slow as felt right.

Most importantly, I told her to be in the moment. This is good advice. I know because I am following it. It allows for exploration, flirtation, trepidation, exhilaration.

It's good. I want her to experience that, too.

Timing

Have I mentioned that my membership to the online dating site expired last Sunday?

And that my terrific date with The Professor was just two days before that?

Too cool for words.

Number two

There is a second date with The Professor scheduled for Friday. Yeeha.

Now this is a bit embarrassing, but I can't recall the last time I had a second date. Not sure what that says, but there it is.

At this point I am choosing to look at it as a testament to this blog, on which I began expressing my desire to manifest a man for a wonderful, vibrant relationship on August 1. That's not to get ahead of myself here, or to put any pressure on The Professor. It's simply to say that something has changed and it is positive.

No victory lap yet.

Yet.

Steps

The Professor has been programmed into my phone.

It is a leap of faith.

He inspires that in me.

Post-date

The nice man, let's call him The Professor, called to make sure I got home safely last night. And then he called today to chat.

Feels as sweet as an embrace.

First date

Date report in a nutshell:

If there is a bigger turn-on than a sexy man who happens to be a good kisser telling me how much he likes my smartness and my prettiness, I don't know what it is.

But I have a hunch I'll find out.

Soon.

Health and love

I have been rereading Eat, Pray, Love to get more of a writer's eye on it. The first time I was, plain and simple, a rapt reader. Now, as I near the end, I find myself slipping back into reader mode. That is a testament to author Elizabeth Gilbert's beautiful and captivating turn of phrase. And, of course, to her description of falling in love with a wonderful, older Brazilian man in Bali.

It is so compelling to me to read about love that blossoms from a place of emotional health. I have done so much work in that area and could not be more proud of it. I delight in the idea of being in a relationship with someone who is equally proud of who he's become.

My date with the nice guy from the online site is tomorrow night. His emails make me smile. I'm excited about meeting him.

Stay tuned.