Is it wrong to go out on a date with someone who isn't your husband,

as long as the other person is....yourself?  I wrestled with that question all day yesterday, after I received a call from myself earlier in the morning.

Ring ring ring.

"Yes, hello?  This is Stephanie."

"Oh, hey Stephanie.  This is Stephanie.  I was wondering if you would want to, um, well, go out on a date with me tonight?  I have some fun stuff planned, and I wanted to be able to take you out."

"Well, I am married so I generally don't go out with people other than my husband, but, well he is busy studying tonight.  Oh, what the heck.  Yes!  Yes, I'll go out with you!"

So the time came and I started getting ready for my date.  I showered, primped, painted my nails and got ready for my exciting evening.  Before Stephanie showed up at the door I asked my dad to take a few pictures of me.  I felt giddy like a school girl! 

 

Well, the date went fantastically.  Stephanie drove and we had the best conversations on the way to the restaurant.  We found out we had such similar styles and tastes in things!  It made me feel comfortable and like there was totally no pressure.  

Well she took me to Smashburger.  How could she have possibly known that I have been absolutely craving it for the last two weeks?  

 

We walked in the restaurant and looked at the menu.  When we went up to order our food, I asked for a create-your-own smashburger with blue cheese, onion straws, tomatoes, lettuce and smash sauce.  As soon as I ordered, Stephanie turned to me and exclaimed in surprise:

"That is exactly what I was going to order!"  And then in a low whisper--as our eyes met--she continued, "It's almost like you...read my  mind."

I felt my cheeks turn hot and red, and I looked away as I smiled a small embarrassed smile.  How could it be that we were so alike?  So in tune with each other?  I was able to be completely myself around her, and I haven't felt that way with anyone but Jeff in a long, long time.  

We ate and talked and laughed with each other.  We both burst out laughing after our waiter brought us our food and flirted with me.

"Haha!  Couldn't he see that you were here with me?" Stephanie laughingly asked as he walked away.

"Yeah, I guess he didn't care!" I replied. "That is kinda rude though...it's like he just looked right past you and flirted with me!  Weirdo."

After dinner Stephanie took me over to the UNLV box office and we got tickets for a musical called the Fantasticks.  Luckily we were both students, so the tickets didn't cost us anything.  Otherwise they were starting at $30!  Crazy.

Well, we watched the first half of the show, and although there were one or two funny songs, I must admit that I was just not into the story.  The music wasn't very engaging, and I just had enough.  As soon as I turned to tell this to Steph, she looked at me and asked,

"Do you want to jet?  I thought this show would be better, but I gotta admit that I am a little bored."

I think my pupils might have turned to black liquid heart shaped pools as I replied, "Yes, yes I want to leave.  I've never met anyone like you.  You don't care about responsibility or civility, you just follow your feelings.  I really, really like that about you."

The drive home was comfortable.  We listened to NPR and laughed about how corny the musical had been.  When we drove up to my house, however, I realized that I had a problem on my hands.  How do I tell her goodbye?  I couldn't invite her in...I had a husband to go home to!  How could I thank her for the wonderful evening, but not offend her when I had to say goodbye?

She walked me up to the door, and there was the first awkward pause of the night as I stopped at the door and said to her in a soft voice,

"Thank you for the wonderful time tonight.  I wish I could invite you in, but Jeff might think me a little strange if I bring you home with me.  I hope that doesn't offend you, because I thought you were simply wonderful, and I really hope to be able to go out with you again sometime.  Please look me up whenever you think of something fun to do, and need someone to go out with."

"Oh Stephanie," she looked into my tear filled eyes and smiled the most genuine smile I have ever seen.  "Steph, Steph, Steph.  Don't worry, I'm not offended and I don't think this is awkward at all.  I had a wonderful time and I will be looking forward to the next time that we get to go out together.  I love our time together, and I love you."

And with that she left me a gentle, soft kiss on the hand and drove off into the night.  I really hope I get to see her again.