Worth The Wait

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In 2016 when I decided to take a break from relationships to reconnect with myself, I never imagined it would be this long. Thanks to the coronavirus meeting new people has become even harder. The closest I was getting to meeting the man of my dreams would be in my dreams because it was not happening while I was awake.

I have been having this reoccurring dream about having an incredible marriage to a handsome chocolate man. He wasn’t a crush or someone on television just a mystery man that only appeared in my dreams. Those dreams left me with hope that there was a special man out there for me. My best friend believes it is a message from my future self since it is always the same man, and my dreams are so vivid.

Being 40, single in the middle of a pandemic, and feeling like I was ready to mingle, I decided to join an online dating service. With fear in my heart, I created a dating profile on Find Your Love.com and hoped for the best.

I decided I would be transparent and honest about all the information I provided to my potential suitors. It’s too bad everyone doesn’t hold this same point of view. By the end of my first day online, I felt like the last piece of bacon because everyone wanted me.

Over the next week I scheduled a couple of dates and I felt like I was finally getting my groove back.

First up was Roger. I should have known right off that this was not going to work because he was over 45 minutes late. Although he looked exactly like his pictures there appeared to be a struggle with letting go of his youth.

He stood there wearing oversized bright colors. His jeans were hanging off his hips and his shoes were left untied purposely. Around his neck he sported a large gold chain with a cross hanging from it. When he smiled, I almost passed out. He had several missing teeth and the ones that remained were gold. This date couldn’t end fast enough. He would be blocked for sure.

Up next was Clarence a pediatrician from London. Our conversations were stimulating, and his accent made everything he said sound ten times sexier. After three weeks of talking over the phone our schedules finally aligned to allow us to go on our first date.

I could not wait to meet him in person, and it was all I could think about.

When Thursday arrived, I could hardly contain myself. The clock barely read five before I grabbed my things and ran to my car.

Clarence sent me several sweet messages throughout the day. He seemed just as excited as I was, which was a wonderful sign to me.

I would be wearing the perfect little black dress. It was tight enough to show off my figure and long enough to leave something to the imagination.

As I waited to get a pedicure my frustration started growing. My regular pedicurist did not show up for work, so I was stuck waiting for the next best one. My date was at 9 and it was already 5:30 and I was still waiting. I would have walked out if it were not for the sexy, black Steve Madden heels I planned on wearing tonight. When she was almost finished with my pedicure, she told me something that left me regretting my decision of not walking out earlier.

Their nail dryer was broken, and I would have to let them air dry. I had two choices to sit there and wait or leave and risk messing up my freshly polished toes. Since my time was running out, I had to take the risk.

I was doing a surprisingly good job of not messing up my polish until my clingy puppy decided to jump directly on them. After wasting 15 minutes trying to save them, they still looked horrible. My only option was to go bare. I quickly removed the polish and jumped in the shower.

When the freezing cold water hit my skin, I almost hit the ceiling. How could there be no hot water? I showered as quickly as possible then jumped under my heavy comforter to warm up. Momentarily I thought all the negative things that occurred today could be a sign I should cancel my date, but I quickly pushed the idea out of my mind.

I finished dressing then I was off to my date.

Clarence was at the restaurant waiting outside when I arrived. I recognized him right away. He greeted me with a warm embrace. A whiff of his cologne made me want to melt in his arms, but I pulled it together.

He opened the door and pulled out my chair. Major points for being a gentleman. Our conversation flowed as smoothly as it did over the phone. He ordered for the both of us since this was one of his favorite restaurants. Not afraid to take charge, I liked it.

I purposefully asked him a lot of questions so I could hear him speak. His points were quickly adding up. Could this be my next future bae?

Dinner was delicious. More points added for having great taste.

After Clarence paid the bill, he asked if he could have the pleasure of walking me to my car. I thought it was sweet of him to ask permission. I said yes, of course.

While we were walking towards my car, he suddenly came to a complete stop. I looked ahead to see what the issue was. About ten feet away stood a petite, brown skinned woman with gold wire framed glasses.

Immediately my eyes shot to Clarence as I looked for an answer.

She looked me over for about one full minute, but it felt like forever. I tried to hide my fear as I waited for her reaction because obviously, she was his girlfriend or wife and had followed him here. As I prepared to defend myself her reaction only added to my confusion.

She introduced herself as Shelly, his second wife. He told me he had never been married so this revelation blew my mind.

All I could do was repeat, his second wife. This was too much, and I needed to get away, but as I rushed to my car, they both begged for me to stop and hear them out. For a moment I thought I must be in the twilight zone because this cannot be real.

Before I could find my keys, I had heard enough to know this was not a love connection. Clarence was a practicing polygamist with plans of adding a fifth wife. Shelly was purposefully there to meet us after dinner for her approval. He asked me to keep an open mind and to think it over for a few days.

I told him I would. The smell of burnt rubber entered the air as I sped away. There wasn’t anything to think about. I was blocking him as soon as I made it home.

That night I had the most amazing dream. I was on an island vacation with my dream man, and we were having the time of our lives. I woke up with a huge smile on my face. I decided I would give the dating sites a break and seriously date myself while I waited on my dream man to manifest.

I would start by making reservations at The Capital Grille for Friday. It is known for being one of the most romantic restaurants in Houston and this Friday I would be romancing myself. Plus, I could not wait to taste their Lobster Mac ‘N’ Cheese.

I used the week to prepare for my first “me date” starting with my hair.

When I told Stacey, she was at liberty to style my hair as she wished, I thought her eyes would pop out of her head. There was no mirror for me to look in. All I know is that she twisted, tucked, and pinned my locs into places. Forty-five minutes later I had my first updo and I loved it.

Now it was mani/pedi time. My previous experience flashed in my head, but I quickly dismissed it. This was my first me date and nothing was going to bring me down.

When I entered the salon, I was greeted by my regular manicurist. My chair was already prepared and when I saw she had a glass of Merlot waiting for me. Judy knows how to make you feel like a queen.

I decided on #33 Fire Engine Red. According to an article in Glamour La, red means that you are bold, outgoing, and highly confident. I was trying to connect to all three of these attributes.

When Judy offered to make me look pretty by waxing my upper lip, I did not stop her. I realized it was a team effort to get me ready for my first me date.

I arrived about twenty minutes early, so I decided to wait at the bar until my table was available.

When I looked up from the wine menu, I locked eyes with a man I recognized instantly but never met before. Well not while I was awake.

His voice gave me chills, he asked, what could he get me to drink?

Just above a whisper, I replied a glass of Merlot please.

As he prepared my glass of wine, I attempted to get another look at him without being noticed. Staring at him I thought that I must be dreaming. I struggled to read his name tag as he walked towards me.

David, the man I have been seeing in my dreams was named David.

Ouch, I had to pinch myself. This was real. The man of my dreams was walking towards me with a glass of Merlot.

Before there was an opportunity for small talk I was being seated.

As I sat at this beautifully decorated table I could feel eyes on me. I tried to tell myself it was all in my mind but when I looked up David was staring at me, and he did not try to hide it. He started smiling when our eyes connected.

My heart was about to beat out of my chest. I gulped down my wine in attempts to calm my nerves.

He must have noticed my empty glass because he sent another glass but this one came with a note. After reading it all I could do was smile from ear to ear. He wrote.

I know this is going to sound crazy and I promise you that I am not insane.

but I could not risk you leaving before I had the opportunity to speak to you.

When I saw you walking towards the bar, I had to pinch myself to make sure I

was not dreaming. I have seen you many times before, but only in my dreams.

In my dreams we have had some amazing dates and I would love to experience

the same thing while awake. What do you say?

He included a number for me to call if I was interested. That was a no brainer of course I was interested. It took all my will power not to scarf down my food, run to my car, and call him.

There was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity with my mystery man. I hoped reality could measure up to my dreams.