My some strange twist of fate, someone needed to switch shifts on Saturday night which freed me up to go to a surprise birthday of a co-worker of my Berrie’s boyfriend. The theme: zombies! I don’t even like zombies but I LOVE dressing up so there we go, off to some random bar in Torrance of all places.
The bar is still filling in with other zombies while the co-worker is a dinner and making his way to the bar. Christina (my Berrie), and I head to the bar for our second round of drinks and strike up a conversation with two Daves that seem to be on their way out. We get to talking though, and the two Daves stay. Both of the Daves are helicopter pilots. Dave 2 is from Florida, and married. Dave one is British, originally from Manchester, but lives in Sydney Australia. Its been 12 hours since he arrived for the first time ever, in America.
Dave 1 and I hit it off. Two more rounds and two victorious games of pool later, we’re sneaking kisses and working out when we can see each other again.
Would you fancy being my tour guide? I would love to take you out to a nice dinner, have some wine. Anywhere you want. You choose.
By some other twist of fate, someone else needed to switch shifts the following night, Sunday, freeing me up be a tour guide to a charming Aussie Brit.
The night is exceptional. The city is beautiful, dinner is fabulous and the pub next door, the one that serves a beer from his native Manchester is spot on.
If you would have told me 48 hours ago that I would be sitting in Downtown LA, with you, drinking a Boddingtons, I wouldn’t have believed it. But I’m glad I’m here.
The night ended with us showing each other pictures of our friends and family as well as a delicious cup of tea.
Dave: When can I see you again?
LR/IM: Wednesday?
Dave: But we only have five days…
LR/IM: Tomorrow?
Dave: Tomorrow!
We made plans to see each other the next day, Monday. Later into the day though, figuring that I was working late and he had an early flight in the morning, Dave said that maybe we should just see each other on Tuesday.
I was disappointed, but I didn’t let him know.
Tuesday comes and as we’re driving to dinner, he looks at me and says something that I’ll never forget.
You know, I think I made a mistake in not seeing you last night. I really missed you and we only have 5 days and I want to see you as much as I possibly can.
I moved in. Seriously, that’s what we called it. He started it.
It didn’t matter that the curtains were made of polyester and that there was no kitchen. I swear to goodness it felt like home. We spent the next four days spending every last second together. We went to shows in LA, late night Mexican food, he met my friends- telling them that he felt like we’ve known each other for months, not days.
We have everything in common. From education and lifestyle, to independence and clothing donations…
For the first time, I met someone that I could not see an expiration date with despite the fact that he lives on the other side of the world! For the first time, I saw someone with whom I could live a life with.
We made rules:
No talking about him leaving.
A quick goodbye at the airport.
and
If we ever live in Los Angeles, we need to live in a neighborhood where we can walk everywhere- His words, not mine.
As we were driving to the airport he said, you know the ironic part about all of this is that I am extremely picky and we live on opposite sides of the world.
You’re picky? I said, I’ve been single for three and a half years!
The thing is, I’ve always been told that I’m too picky. That I should give people a chance. But you know what? Its not true. I’ll know when someone suits me well, and Dave is the proof in that.
