Conversation

Never understimate the power and intoxicating effect of conversation. Just conversation. I had a date last night with a beautiful lady just a couple of years younger than me and I met her on one of those dating websites. We chatted back and forth for a couple of days and then we exchanged phone numbers, we talked on the phone for a couple of nights, and then agreed to meet for dinner on Saturday night. I talked to her for almost three hours on the phone Thursday night which is some kind of a record for me. Usually I do not have that much to say. This beautiful lady and I have a lot in common, she is very intelligent and holds up her end of the conversation very well. I am really excited about having the chance to meet her. I will be the first to admit that my blind 77 year old mother has a more active social life than me. I spent most of the day Friday trying to scheme on how to move the date up by a day but luckily she took care of that for me and we agreed to meet last night. I was really nervous so I got there about 45 minutes early and wandered around Barnes & Noble until it was time to meet. I walk outside the Barnes & Noble and I see a Channel 13 News van setting up outside with cameras and I recognized one of the local news personalities. She told me later that they were having a "lighting of the Christmas tree" ceremony that night. I sat on a park bench in front of the restaurant and it sat up high and I could see everything going on in front of me. There were two boys throwing the football down in front of me, they were getting the Christmas tree ready for the lighting ceremony back behind me, and I am watching all of these couples walk around hand-in-hand, and some were with children and some people were waiting just like I was. Throw in some snow and I could have been James Stewart in Miracle on 34th Street. My first impression of my date was she is beautiful and we immediately eased into our conversation like we had known each other for years. I immediately felt comfortable and I felt at ease talking to her. After we finished our meal, we walked around for a while looking at the Christmas tree and the lights and so many people. It was a very festive atmosphere. We ended up getting some ice cream at the local shop and I thought it was a great first date. We got to know a little bit about each other, we shared stories, and we even talked about my writing. I felt like I could discuss anything with her without fear of judgement and that is a very comforting feeling. Our conversation lasted a little past Midnight and we ended it with a perfect first kiss (never underestimate the power of a kiss, either). It was very soft, sensual and very sweet. I cannot wait to see her again for our "real" first date tonight.