#NotTooOldToSwirl

Both Kas and I were on the dating website "Elite Singles". While that made the introduction possible, it was the advice I recieved my very first date since high school (yes, that long ago) that proved so helpful in meeting and falling in love with Kasandra. My first dinner date and I had concluded pretty quickly into the evening that we weren't hitting it off. Knowing my rookie status, she took to tutoring me on re-entering the dating scene. She gave me two pieces of advice that night that I never forgot. The first was, 'if it's right, you'll know it'. The second was 'if you feel like you're both feeling it, let her know you want to kiss her because she's wondering if it's gonna happen.' After seeing Kasandra's profile (and gorgeous smile) on Elite Singles and after tons of conversation online, we set the first date. I had been on several dates by this point and while they were all very nice women, I wasn't feeling that "it's right" moment. It was getting legitimately laborious and I almost called off this date to take a break from dating for awhile. However, I'm a 'stand-up' guy and our online conversations were pretty sweet. Looking back, I can say that it didn't take long to know that it was right. Even the waiter sensed it. We talked about dreams, fears, politics (right?), views on religion, how we'd been hurt, what we wanted from life. I couldn't break away from this woman. She captivated me on so many levels. So, I said it...”Before this night is over, I'd like to kiss you." The dinner was over. I held her hand walking to her car. We were smiling and chatting. I couldn't wait any longer and I cut her off in mid-sentence and we kissed. To this day, that same flood of emotions washes over me when we kiss. I cannot get enough. When I got home, my daughter Mary just knew it was right. She could tell a difference in me. We texted for a long time afterward that night. And all I could think about was that kiss. It's all I think about every day.

That kiss though…that kiss started everything and sealed the deal all in one moment. There has not been a day since we met, August 16, 2017 that we have not been in contact. Tom and I corresponded for over a month before meeting in person. I was hopeful because when I read the type of woman he was looking for, I believed he was looking for ME. We bonded, in part, because we were both custodial parents of our teen and young adult kiddos. We both love being parents. We both love God and believe in the importance of serving others. We spent considerable time talking about all the people we’d like to help one day. In Thomas I’ve found a partner, a best friend, and a truly beautiful man inside and out. As kind as he is, he stands his ground. He has strong opinions and ideas, yet keeps an open mind and is quick to forgive. We can talk for hours about everything under the sun, including sports. His love strengthens me. My 1-23-18 journal entry reads: “Thomas Walker Riggs, I’m hoping to marry him one day Lord willing. Tom’s love is all encompassing. He is a beautiful, loyal soul. I want to take care of him and I want him to take care of me.” I knew Tom was my forever love but I never dreamed the proposal would come this year. September 16, 2018 began with the two of us praying together in a van, volunteering and then ended up being one of the happiest days of my life.