3,264 Miles Later

On October 15, 2017 I went on a first date at IHOP. I showed up early, actually way early, as I often due when meeting people for the first time. I texted LC to complain about my inability to just be on time and to delay my entrance into the restaurant. After less than 5 minutes I gave in and went inside. The sign on the hostess booth clearly stated, Only Complete Parties Will Seated, but the host took pity on me and sat me immediately. I continued to text with LC about whether or not it was sexy to demolish an entire short stack, eggs, and bacon on a first date or to just take down half the pancakes (verdict: whole thing). Another 15 minutes went by and I realized my date should have been here by now and so now I was forced to start exploring the possibility of a 'getting stood up at IHOP' blog post. LC agreed that it would make a pretty strong post and that I should definitely get the Pancake Combo if I was eating alone. About this time, my date texted to let me know he had gotten hung up at church and was trying to find parking. It was fortuitous timing as the waitress had just arrived for the third time and I was about to give in and place my order. Instead, I put in an order for coffee and insisted that my date was about to arrive. She looked slightly pleased that I was at least ordering but did not look convinced that anyone was coming, possibly because I was still not convinced that this was not an elaborate ghosting scheme, but she did plop down a pot of coffee and a a mug before moving along to the next table. 

It would take another 5 minutes before he came in. He looked like his pictures - always a bonus in the online dating world. He also brought chocolates, "To start on a sweet note." It was so corny and old fashioned to get chocolates on a first date, but it was genuine and surprised me..and I hadn't been surprised on a date in a long while (at least not in a good way). And so we started talking. I won't say that the conversation itself was life changing conversation - we stuck to a lot of the tropes as we warmed up: college, family, DC life, travel, hobbies - but we got a rhythm going and I've never had a conversation feel so immediately natural and comfortable. Lacking the typical first date cocktails we had to rely on caffeine, each other, and real interest to keep the conversation going and we did. We spent over 3 hours in that IHOP booth. We lasted through the late breakfast, lunch, and into the late lunch crowds. The poor waitress may have wanted to murder us as we took up prime real estate on a Sunday morning and afternoon, but we didn't pay her any mind, instead we talked. 

Eventually, we recognized it was time to give back our table. I looked at my phone and had 20+ messages, you see I was supposed to meet J. to watch the Packers 1pm game and had completely missed kick off and the first two quarters. In fact, I missed the sack that took Rodgers out for most of last season because I was sitting in an IHOP talking to this guy. I put my phone away and let him drive me the 2 miles home. Those would be the first miles we traveled together. Over the last 365 days, we have managed to rack up more than 3,264 miles across multiple states and I have to say I'm really looking forward to seeing how many more we can add to that count over the next year.

So dear reader, if you have wondered why my dating stories have been light over the last year - blame this guy, a Sunday morning date at IHOP, and 3,264 miles. And to that guy - Happy Anniversary. 

NOTES: Yes, I ordered the Combo. No, I didn't make it through the whole short stack, but I did make a valiant attempt. And yes, IHOP, I will take any and all endorsements.