Hairflip, Giggle, Giggle, Swoon

I have a crush on a boy.

Just when I was getting comfortable with the idea of being a crazy dog lady spinster, this very cute, charming boy showed up and is totally throwing me for a loop. I've been on a handful of first dates in the last few months, but it has been a VERY long time since I had a real crush.

Last night we went out. Beforehand, I felt like a 15 year old on the phone with my four closest girlfriends, alternating between excitement and dizzy nervousness. The crush and I have already spent four days volunteering at a conference for kids where we spent hours and hours a day talking and getting to know each other. I shouldn't have been nervous, but he's just so cute. And nice. And I genuinely enjoy talking to him. And... I could go on. And on.... My cynical, blackened grinch heart is all mushy and growing ten times its size and there are hearts in my eyes. I have a very strong urge to buy new lip gloss and read Cosmo magazine.

I did not see this coming.

Last night, as I was heading into the restaurant to meet him, an older man (he was at least 70 years old) asked me if I was there for the rotary club meeting and talked to me about it as we walked. He was funny and nice and a great distraction since I was worrying I was going to pass out with nervousness. By the time we got into the restaurant, he was asking me for my name and information to put on the mailing list and I was laughing.

Crush boy was already there and gave me the most amused/quizzical look when I walked in with my new friend. It was a great way to break the ice and avoid any first few minutes of awkwardness. As we walked, the man had given me a "fun meter" button. It had an adjustable dial to indicate the level of fun you are having. I put it in the middle of the table and the waitress made sure we updated it as the night went on. It was cute and it made me laugh.

Today I am planning to forget about being an Executive Director, adult, heartless cynic, fiercely independent single woman and instead, dig out my old Trapper Keeper and write his initials in hearts all day. Yay for crushes.