Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Seven Years and Counting


I met Mr. Rosenberg seven years ago today. I am commemorating that big ol' deal here by re-posting the story of that meeting, first posted here two years ago. I have learned that seven years can fly by when you're busy meeting someone, falling in love, eloping, having a baby, and being happy. The happy especially, it moves so fast.

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). Yes he was.

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.

19 comments:

  1. I want to hear/read more stories! This is so good.

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  2. Oh, wow! Congratulations!

    I also met my partner online and we just passed the eight-year mark. He freaked out at the idea of being with just one girl at around the four-year mark, then agreed for us to buy an apartment together at the six-year mark. At eight we're in the planning stages of a baby and just bought a car.

    I hope you celebrate your anniversary amazingly!

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  3. I did this... two years ago on Sunday and he is Fly-boy (We also named them). There was 'Serial Killer', 'Steroid Boy' and of course 'Stalker-kid' but Fly-boy stole my heart. We moved in with each other last month and yes, happy does make it all go a lot faster :)
    Thank you for sharing.
    Jx

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  4. And all I can think of is how awesome it must be to be pretty enough to have HAD 53 dates in a summer! I don't think I've had 53 dates in a lifetime!
    No wonder you got a good man, eh? Sad (for the rest of us) but true fact of life: the pretty women always win.
    May you stay attractive well into your 80s, my dear.

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  5. "Just to recap..."
    Hahaha!
    Of course you married him! And then there was Bob.
    Yay! I loved this.
    Congratulations. More, more, more.

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  6. Oh, happy, happy. This is one of my favorite pieces of yours, Lisa. Maybe my very favorite.

    Enjoy your special day.

    XOXO

    A.

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  7. congrats on a very special day! :)

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  8. Really great, Lisa. And hilarious!

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  9. This is probably the most fun anniversary post I've ever read. The linked post: PRICELESS.

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  10. Beautiful story. All love stories are. I've been gone a while. I lost my Husband of 11 years this past April but I'm glad I got back in time to read this.

    Happy Anniversary! Hold on to him tightly and savor the moment.

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  11. This is fabulous. Happy anniversary! I met my husband online and our 2-year anniversary is in 4 days. For some reason, this makes you even more awesome.

    Some of my internet dating horror story names: The Gay Hobbit; Man Boobies; The Douche; Vapid but Pretty; Cheap Bastard, etc. Oh, the stories. But I must say, pitching you a story while on a date? I think that takes the cake. Super lame.

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  12. Congrats on 7 Years with the Naked Drummer! That's a great title for a sit-com by the way... perhaps I could pitch it to you sometime. (Aren't First Date Stories the best?)

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  13. I adore this piece. I can't imagine a more lovely family than yours.

    Happy Anniversary!

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  14. You're all just too adorable. I can't stand it.

    (Congrats to you & #53!)

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  15. I'm glad you weren't disappointed "Naked Drummer" didn't turn out to be Matthew McConaughy.

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  16. The meet cute story of the Happy Couple with the Smart & Happy Boy. Wishing you many more years of happiness. x0 N2

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  17. I was waiting for the part where you described why being a Naked Drummer would be construed as a negative. That counts as a big fat PLUS on my ledger. Many happy years to you both!

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  18. Thank you for (re)sharing this touching story of how you two met.

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  19. Love your story! Happy belated 7th!!!

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