ExposedNYC

Sometimes it’s the most unplanned moments that make up a romantic night. I got a drunken phone call from an ex last night (I guess it’s only fair for me to be on the receiving end on occasion!) that got me reminiscing over our first date. We’ll dub him UPS, because now he works for them, and I can totally picture him in some brown shorts knocking on women’s doors with a clipboard and package…

So, UPS and I were acquaintances with mutual friends when he first asked if I wanted to go out on a real date sometime. I agreed and left the planning completely in his hands. He called to say that he was picking me up, that I didn’t have to be overly dressed up, and that the rest was a surprise.

When I got in the car (and btw, this is such a rare luxury on a date in the city that I relished just the simple act of being picked up) he asked if I would mind just driving for a while, to give us a chance to chat and get to know each other better. I agreed and settled back to enjoy the thrill of a new crush and the view of a city I still wasn’t completely familiar with.

Before we knew it, half an hour had passed, so we pulled into the first little diner we could find. I still remember that he ordered a glass of milk with his meal, which I thought was charming, and was completely attentive to my every need.

After dinner we drove towards the river to a secluded little boardwalk to take a walk. We sauntered along under the stars talking and laughing, both carefully considering whether to reach out and grab the other’s hand or make a bolder move.

All of a sudden, out of nowhere, he had picked me up and, in one swift motion, placed me sitting on his shoulders, like a tired toddler at the fair or some obnoxious girlfriend at a rock concert. This silly gesture made me feel small, feminine, youthful, exhilarated, and completely safe all at once.

It was in that one moment that I decided to give him a chance. It may not have worked out, but to this day when I think of him I remember that confidence, physical presence, and fun loving spirit that, for at least a night, convinced me that we could spend a lifetime playing like children and talking like adults.

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