Monday, September 21, 2009

Five Years Ago Today


Five years ago today, I put on my first date uniform (jeans/black high heeled sandals/black knit empire waist top), flat ironed my hair, and emailed my date itinerary to my friend Karen to make it easier for the FBI to track my whereabouts just in case this was the internet date that finally went wrong. This was to be my 53rd first date of the summer. I had a system. The system involved a spreadsheet.

I had been on some second and third and even fourth dates, but it almost always only took one date to “know”. Know that his divorce is “sort of almost” final. (#22) Know that he was gay as a box of birds. (#15) Know that he had insisted on meeting for dinner at an expensive restaurant, then when the bill came tallied up my half – the only guy ever to not pick up the bill. (#36) Know that I had dated his brother - awkward. (#25) Know that he had looked at my resume on internet movie data base and oh-my-god was he actually pitching an animated sit-com to me over Korean barbecue? (#41)

When describing the guys to Karen, I used their identifying traits to label them. (Stalker Creep. Dude Looks Like a Lady. Mom Jeans Guy.) Like an FNG in Vietnam, better not to learn their names. Due to a story he had shared with me via email, #53 was identified as Naked Drummer. I tried to reserve judgment.

For some reason, I broke many of my first date safety rules with Naked Drummer. I gave him my address. I let him pick me up. When he came to get me, I let him into my apartment. We went to dinner at Noshi Sushi. None of that is prudent behavior (including Noshi) and I do not recommend any of it.

Naked Drummer and I talked until the restaurant closed around us. When the bill came, Naked Drummer totaled my half with tax and tip. Again, I knew. I knew he was the best guy ever.

Reader, I married him.

50 comments:

  1. Congrats!
    Now both a ya'z go git your salmon skin rolls and hamachi on and celebrate!

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  2. Living vicariously through your life back then was quite the ride. I'm sure it will be a funny book one day.
    Yay for #53!!!!

    xoxo
    Karen Peterson Matchinga

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  3. Flashback and PTSD!

    Naked Drummer Boy was a good call!

    P.S. He's the winner

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  4. Love it :-}
    I met my husband of 8 years after leaving (but before divorcing) my first one. It wasn't a date, it was two acquaintances with mutual pals going to a concert because he had a spare ticket. yeah. And the Universe giggled. (That was Dec. 31st, 1999, the Ponitac Silverdome Millenium Concert and my first ever rock concert.. Metallica, Kid Rock, 7 Dust, Ted Nugent..)

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  5. Congrats on the 5 years!

    Maggie and I got married after being together for 5 years, although we'd already had our son before we decided to :)

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  6. I married a drummer too!

    (wait. we've probably already discussed this. alzeimers!)

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  7. Naked guys with sticks are worth paying attention to? I'll have to file that one away for future reference. How cool, you married him. You're funny. And he's a lucky guy!

    Happy SITS Day!

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  8. Totally singing dude looks like a lady now. Lol. Love that you called him naked drummer. I called my hubby a weirdo.

    Happy SITS Day!

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  9. So happy to hear you found love with Naked Drummer! Love your sense of humor and enjoyed reading your blog. Happy SITS Day!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! Who can resist a naked drummer. Don't answer that.

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  10. Amazing story. I love looking back and realizing how we break the rules with the right one. It's like our heart knows :)

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  11. Nicely written. Enjoy your SITS day.

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  12. Congratulations and too funny! Happy SITS Day.

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  13. So funny! I broke all the rules when I met my husband too. Sometimes, it's just right even when it shouldn't be.

    Happy SITS day!

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  14. Congrats! Being married for 32 years (so far) I missed the whole Internet dating thing. It was hard enough the old-fashioned way. Thanks for the low down!

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    Replies
    1. There are a whole new set of rules. But it still all boils down to chemistry...

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  15. {Melinda} When it's right, you just know. Congratulations! And Happy SITS Day! :)

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  16. Really dig your attitude and storytelling talent. Good luck with the Avon walk - I still haven't been able to convince anyone to do it with me!

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    1. I'm doing it alone, you know with thousand of other people. I'll need all that luck! Thanks!

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  17. awww that's so cute! I love it :)

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  18. Sometimes, you just know. Congrats to you and Naked Drummer guy!

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  19. I am so happy that SITS brought you across my path :) I'm off to peruse your blog but Happy SITS Day!!!!

    They actually pitched you over BBQ - how rude!

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  20. happy SITS day! you are hilarious. can't wait to read more :)

    and congrats on EIGHT years now!

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  21. Beautifully told. Congratulations on finding and knowing.

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  22. I'm glad you found happiness with naked drummer lol

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  23. Hilarious. I loved it that you created a spreadsheet. I met my husband...after my mom convinced me that this blind date would be different from the 1,892 I had been on previously. I went on to marry "Bill Cosby sweater" guy.

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  24. Hmm Naked Drummer sounds much more interesting then Computer Geek (my husband) although we are a match made in heaven :) Congrats!!

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  25. What a great story! Love that all the terrible online dates turned into an amazing lifelong date! :)

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  26. I LOVE this story. Not sure how you got around to marrying this guy but I'm sure that he was wonderful. It sounds like all of the other dates were really bad and weird but hey lead to this story. Tell us more!!! Lol

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    Replies
    1. They weren't all bad, they were all weird.
      Mr. Rosenberg easily stood head and shoulders above the rest, and not just because he's 6'4"
      xo

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