Marathon first date...

We stayed up all night talking...

ALL NIGHT!!

It was the best first-date I have ever been on. The conversation flowed so well. We laughed, we teased, we flirted, we exchanged stories, we did magic tricks. The time at The Melting Pot went by so fast. We shut the place down. When the workers brought out the brooms, we knew it was time to end the date.

Zane walked me outside, gave me a proper hug (no handshake this time), and sent me on my way with plans to get in touch again soon.

I was driving home and at a stop light decided to send him a text telling him I had a good time. This is how the conversation went...

Me: I had a great time tonight. It was great meeting you.

Zane: I had a great time as well. Can't wait to see you again.

Me: You know IHOP is open 24/7.

Zane: I like the way you think.

We met up a few minutes later at the IHOP in Murray. We weren't hungry but thought we could sit at a table and continue our conversation. We walked into the restaurant. Do you know what kind of people hang out at IHOP at midnight on a Saturday night? We didn't want to get caught in any crossfire between gangs so instead we went back to his truck.

We sat in the parking lot of IHOP and talked from midnight to 9am! It was amazing. And NO, there was NO making-out!! There was a sweet kiss about 2am when he showed a magic trick and "accidentally" dropped the card and we both reached down to pick it up. I was falling for this guy pretty quick. There was just something about him.

He kept making references to the baggage in his past and when he knew me better and we were both ready for a good cry, he would tell me all about it. Of course he has baggage, we are divorced. I have it too. I didn't start dating with an unrealistic idea that everything would be perfect. We are divorced for a reason. My belief was that I needed to find someone who would accept my baggage and I could accept his. We just needed to fit together and be willing to stick it out, no matter what.

About 9am, I told him I needed to go. I have to get to church. He had to get to church. We hugged, we shared another quick, sweet kiss and parted ways.

I WAS IN LOVE!!

We had shared thoughts, feelings, testimonies, and experiences throughout the night. I felt the confirmation of the Spirit that this could really be a good thing, if we worked hard at it. I saw eternal glimpses in this man that were overwhelming. He is such an amazing person. He has been in the pits of despair and stayed close to Heavenly Father, the only relationship that could get Zane through it all. He impressed me. I was excited to see what could happen.

Sunday, April 14: I couldn't wait to see him again.