Saw a pretty girl. Bonked her on her head like a caveman. She belongs to me now.

As elder millennials, Alan and I both dabbled in the online dating world. I had a busy, unpredictable work schedule, and Alan had recently returned from a tour in Japan, settling back in to routine American life while living with his twin brother Mike (and yes, that apartment was the epitome of American bachelor life- cheesballs, video games, and a keggerator to boot).

Alan made the first move, a bold one at that, when he started a conversation on a dating app by wishing me a merry christmas on Christmas day 2017. We quickly found similar interests and common ground, and decided to meet for our first date on December 30th. Naturally, I had to push back the time as work in the Emergency Department that day was a "shitshow' so to speak. Alan of course was understanding. When I finally arrived at Foundry in Davis square, Alan was waiting outside for me in the cold. We hit it off instantly over a drink, speaking of traveling, family, and the Navy. Not long in to our date however I received a phone call that a court document from a case at work had to be signed by me that evening. I was instantly torn in how to respond. I didn't want him to think I was disinterested and making up some work emergency. After talking it over, we decided to go together and continue the date. We made the 10 minute walk back towards my apartment and I made him close his eyes right on the sidewalk as I hurried forward and backed out my car. We had just met and I couldn't let him know where I lived! On the way to work the natural conversation continued and we discovered more similarities. By the time we reached the hospital, I realized I had actually met a decent human being on the internet. I left him in the car (yes I left a stranger in my own car) and scurried in to the department, heels and leather coat and all. My amazing coworkers had everything set up to minimize time there, but also snickered and delighted at the added drama of the evening. Someone had ordered the department pizzas, and I quickly rushed out with two slices for Alan as an apology for this unexpected adventure (and slight foreshadowing of our entire relationship). We ended up back in Davis Square at Saloon for more drinks, losing track of the time and getting lost in conversation. It was a first date to remember indeed.

Our second date was canceled due to a blizzard, and Alan left two days later for some training in San Diego. Honestly I only half expected for him to call me when he returned. But, we kept in touch via text and I soon found myself making a complete fool of myself at a virtual golf simulator a few weeks later. Our third date was dinner at our now favorite restaurant, Earls- I actually let him pick me up and know where I lived this time. Next, we went to a shooting range (where I kicked his butt), and to seal the deal he attended my 30th St. Patrick's Day Birthday party. The rest is history- a blur of laughing, traveling, meeting new friends and family, parenting a dog, and the best feeling anyone can ever have: everlasting love.