David thought my opening message was clever. He asked me to go out for dinner the next week, and I agreed. We talked on the phone every night when I got off of work.

The day before our first date, he surprised me by coming up to my job at the Hampton Inn. He drove from Lakeland to Orlando, about an hour’s drive, all during rush hour which makes the drive twice as long. David bought a mellow yellow, which is a soda for those that don’t know, from the snack counter next to the front desk. This was our first time meeting each other. He sat in the lobby of my hotel with me for just about the rest of my shift.

The next day, we had our first official date. David took me to a steakhouse, where they bring a hot lava rock to the table and you cook your own meat right there at the table. It was such an amazing experience, and the best food I think I’ve ever had.

We went on our second date the next day, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.