You ever scrolled through images anywhere and one just stops you in your tracks? That happened. I was on Plenty of Fish just swiping along and BAM!!! I saw that face with that pretty smile and those cheeks and I was like hold up... I saw someone fun in the first photo and someone who knows how to be classy in the second. I looked at the pictures a few times as I read the profile, I told myself, "I HAVE TO MEET HER!!" If anyone knows how random dating sites could be when you really want to meet someone is like hoping and winning the lotto. Everyone knows the cute women always have their inbox blown up with offers from all over and while I don't see myself as ugly by any means, let's face it, I'm no well buffed military guy that a woman would drop for. Still, I wasn't gonna let that stop me, I figure worst case, I never get a reply. You can bet I said hello!! Minded my manners and was cheese grinning like a fool when I got a reply. It was so exciting that this beautiful woman would even bother in my mind. There was anxiety and nervousness at not saying something stupid and all f a sudden being ghosted on. But the conversation just rolled out, Message after message and fun banter and then she dropped off.... Hey I realize people fall asleep but that wonder in the back of your mind always has you thinking. Still, I didn't let that keep me from saying hello with a wish on a star hope that she would answer back, And she did!!!!

Embarrassing as it was, I started an online dating profile. I didn’t give it too much thought though and didn’t spend much time scrolling through the potential men on the site as immediately after posting the profile I started getting messages in, most of them inappropriate or crass, but a few somewhat respectful messages. I made it a point to answer each of the initial messages, even if it were to just shut down the conversation right then and there. After a few days I had all but given up on the dating app because, let’s face it, the dating pool around here is all people you already know or people you tried dating previously but just didn’t have a connection with. So in comes a message from someone I had never seen before, it was respectful and a nice change of pace from the messages I had been receiving so I figured why not chat a bit and see what happens. So I sent a few messages back and forth with him as I was getting ready for bed that night and had a great conversation and some good giggles with the stranger from the internet before laying down and promptly passing out without warning. I had intended to at least say goodnight but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light. The next morning I awoke to a few messages and of course another from Angel saying hello again. We chatted non-stop during my waking hours for a few days and then met up for our first date and have been pretty much inseparable ever since. As batty as we drive each other, I’d rather have a bad day with him than a good day with anyone else.

We had been talking nonstop all week, I felt like a high school kid again! One thing you quickly realize on dating sites is that if you can't keep your audience entertained, you've lost before you even started. I made damn sure to figure out what to talk about without making anything up or being fake. She accepted my invite to text via the phone number, for me, that's always been a good sign. We talked thru our days and nights sending each other silly pictures of ourselves, kids, and even her pets. For me, the excitement was building and I couldn't take anymore, it was Friday, I was off and I had to make a move. 3 days of solid talk left me wondering when I'd see this angel face to face!! She was having a stressful day and she mentioned needing a drink to ease her nerves. Me being me, I offered to bring her something relaxing in a cup so none would be the wiser. (yes, I am a devil) Whatever it took to get to see her in person. She will tell you, in hindsight, she should have accepted. She passed and I wasn't one to give up, asked about going out for dinner. She accepted and I eagerly waited for the day to pass and her to get ready. Asked my friend Hazel for advice. She told me about Peppers in Shalimar. Liz actually beat me there. I was having a hard time finding her a lil nervous and all. She opened the door to the restaurant and I was blown away... She was perfect; smile to die for, dressed in red top and white shorts. I just stared for a moment and followed. We got to our table and within minutes we were bantering like we had known each other a while. I was even called an asshole playfully twice in 5 minutes! I knew I was in good company and relaxed. We talked, drank, and ate. We were done but I wasn't ready to let her go home. I invited her to the beach and spent time talking and laughing. I couldn't help it and the first kiss happened. I cheesily asked for consent and she gave me a smart ass answer back. Fireworks went off! Went home praying to see her again.

So we went out to my mom’s because we forgot a box over there that we needed to go through for the wedding, yes, Angel and I have been talking about getting married and started planning it even though he never proposed. So anyways, we’re sitting there and everyone’s playing on their phones and the kids are watching tv and playing on the phone after swimming and pizza had them exhausted. Mom gets a call and needs to find a corset for Anna, allegedly. So I get drug into the costume room to search for it while Angel is left to his own devices. Mom has me on a wild goose chase looking for this thing. Finally we make the trek to her room to look for it and Angel is nowhere to be seen, alarming, but not unusual, everyone goes to the bathroom or steps outside for a call every now and then. Nyla finds some bubble gloves in Mom’s room and wants to go outside and blow them and impatiently wants “Mimi” to go with her. So Mom gives up her search to go outside with Nyla, or so I think. Angel takes me by the hand and leads me outside with them and to a trail of rose petals around the edge of the pool where a circle of candles and a dozen roses are waiting. I want to cry at that moment, but I keep it together because my dad, my mom and my bonus-mom are all standing there watching it all transpire. Angel picks up the roses and proceeds to give them to me one at a time, each with a long explanation of just one of the reasons he loves me. It was the sweetest thing and I cried through most of it. When he finished with the roses and got down on one knee I couldn’t speak for a moment after he asked me to marry him. I struggled to get my promise ring off and the ring just slid right on my hand perfectly as if it were made just to be there. So I said yes, without any doubts.