Catholic

Catholic was not the first guy who messaged me after I joined the online dating site - that dubious honor belongs to a rather handsome 21 year old who was looking for a cougar/ sugar mama to fuck -  but he was the first one I went out with.

At the time, Catholic was recently separated from his wife, and they were working through details of separation and custody and support.  We have something in common there.  His work experience and skills were similar to mine - another thing in common, though we took different paths to get there.

We exchanged a few messages, and I finally just asked him out to see TRON: Legacy.  It was a movie I was interested in, and those kinds of movies are more fun with company.  Also, it gave me plans for New Year's Eve.  No one wants to be the lame single person with no plans on New Year's Eve.  He said yes. (Well duh. If I can't be convincing with my words - I'm totally in the wrong profession)

We met at the movie theater. On my way there, my windshield cracked because of temperature differentials, and  he was running late.  Both understandable, because freezing rain was falling that night. (Random venting:  This was one of the longer, snowiest, worst winters in Minn. history.)    After we'd both arrived safely, we checked the time for the movie, then went to the restaurant next door for a quick meal, and a short chat.

I learned that he majored in German and International Business,  but worked as an information architect.  He learned that I was nervous because it was my first "date" post separation.  (Side note - this is a half truth. More on that in future posts regarding Anniversary and Australian.)   We compared notes on families, and separations, and the divorce process.  I learned that he has 7 kids - the oldest in college, the youngest a year younger than my son.  7! Kids!  I didn't even need to ask if he was Catholic. 

We finished the meal.  We went to the movie.  Special effects in TRON: Legacy are phenomenal.  The story line and acting are both lame.  That's my opinion.   But, we had fun watching it, and it was enjoyable to sit next to someone and comment on bad sci-fi.   After the movie, we went out for dessert at an Italian restaurant also in walking distance from the theater.  We had wine, he got panne cotta and I got an wonderful apple tart. Mmmmm.....  it was delicious.   We talked some more... about post-partum depression, about marriages falling apart.... about what got broken, and how.   It was comfortable.

Then, it was late, and time to go home.  I hugged him, said thanks, and said it would be nice to do again.   No kissing - but the hug felt good.

He emailed me later that week to see if I was available the following weekend.  I said yes - but scheduled him for lunch, not dinner... I'd already made plans to meet Dancer for dinner the following Saturday.  (Yes - future post on that too.)

We met at Cafe Latte.  The conversation was fine.  We walked along Grand Avenue, window shopping for awhile - then I saw The Red Balloon.  It's a children's bookstore, and it's just a fun and awesome place to shop.   We went inside, and had a great time sharing favorite books with each other.  Full disclosure - I am in love with Mo Willems genius illustrations and story telling skills, and I am not ashamed to share that love and passion with other parents.

Yes - I totally made him read Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed.  I'm just cool like that. He ended up buying it
for his kids.  I picked up Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken.  It was unexpectedly fun.  Then we went out for coffee, and talked about college classes, and professors, and fun vacations until both of us realized that OMG it's late and we both had other places to be.

And then what?  Well.... then we were going to meet again for a quick dinner, but when I called to confirm, first I didn't get an answer, and then I got his son, and then I got the feeling that he had other things to deal with.  So we never did go on a third date.

He recently rejoined the dating site after turning his profile off for awhile. He sent me a note to check in, but I'd already committed to being exclusive with Deity by that point.   I don't know.... he's nice, he's polite, he has impeccable manners - but he feels more like a friend than a romance.   These are things you learn, I guess... that not every date is going to be sparkling, even if it is pleasant.