So, I am a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and go to many games throughout the year. This one particular game, I happened to be with about 30 friends for a birthday party. We had lots of fun and ended up at a bar after the game.
This guy approaches our table and I immediately think, he looks familiar but I couldn't place it. My friend says hello to him too and I could immediately tell they are friends, but, I don't know him through her. Interesting...
As soon as we catch eyes, he says, hi Sue. Uh oh. I said, how do we know each other? (I knew he looked familiar). He said, we went out. Whoops.
I said, how long ago? He said at least 10 years. Whew...I said, hmmmm, why did we stop going out? He said, I am looking at you and I can tell you one thing, I would not have broken up with you. Awwwww!
He then went on to tell me where I live and all of the dates we had. Once again, this town ain't big enough! Holy recycling problem.
While we are talking, my friend said, OMG, you two should go out again. I like both of you so much. I say to him, do you want my number? He said absolutely. He also found an email from me on his phone from 10 years ago while we were standing there. He needs a better system for purging, that is for sure.
He starts texting me that night and says he would love to take me out but really wants a Saturday Night. A man with a plan, I love it. So, we plan on having dinner.
He drives to my condo (he lives in the burbs) and we walk to this restaurant. Immediately, my concern was heightened because he picked a chain restaurant. I am sure that sounds bad but leave it to a suburb guy to pick a chain when there are so many other awesome restaurants in the area.
Shockingly, when we get to the restaurant, we realize it is closed for a private party. Um, he didn't even make reservations? On a Saturday night in Chicago? Crazy.
I suggest we go to this great Italian restaurant right next door. I told him we could always sit at the bar if we are unable to get a table.
Now, I have received feedback that I take charge too much on dates. So, I am very conscious of being sure I let the man be the man.
When we get to the hostess stand, the hostess looks at me and asks how many? I then look at my date. My date looks at me. The hostess then looks back at me. For the love of all things holy, I finally say 2! There will be 2 of us.
We then get to the table and we discuss the menu. I told him that the meatballs are great as an appetizer. The server comes over and asks if we would like to start with anything? She looks at me, I look at my date, nothing. I said, we will take the meatballs! Geesh.
A big pet peeve of mine is when a guy doesn't take charge of the situation. I just want someone to make some decisions!
I said to my date, let's just pretend like we never went out and start over with learning about each other (mostly because I couldn't remember anything about him).
So, I ask what brings him to the burbs and he said family. I said, oh, that is nice, they live close? He said, you can say that.....Uh oh...
Now, I should give a couple of statistics on him. He is 49 years old and never been married and has no kids. So, you would think he is fairly foot loose and fancy free. He goes on to tell me he actually lives with his family. I say, is it multiple houses on one property? He says, nope. I say are you all under one roof? He says, yup. Now, I am perplexed by this, I ask if anyone is sick (because I could understand the need for that if that was the case).
He said no, he just really likes his family. I said, so do I but I don't live with them! He lives with his Mom, Dad, brother and his family.
I asked if his Mom cooks dinner, he said, sometimes. I asked if his niece and nephew wake him up on a Saturday morning? He said they do and will ask him to push them on the swing set in the backyard.
OK, now, this is not good for the short term. If I went to visit him, I would have to meet his family? And, what do I say, no Mom, I don't want to watch Wheel of Fortune tonight, I want to watch Real Housewives of the OC?
And, it isn't good for the long term either because I am not going to be moving into that situation. That is for sure. He just seemed a bit too needy for me.
However, I am always an optimist and thought perhaps the Universe wanted us to get together at a different time. As it turns out, that was not the case at all! The Universe got it right the first time.
Lesson learned? I am very independent so I am also looking for that in a guy. And, perhaps I need to move? I keep recycling these guys!
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