감사합니다.

8/31/2011 The Romantic 1 Comments

This week, I am living my love life vicariously through this Korean Soap Opera. The sexual tension has been so intense between Gyu Won and Shin. I think they're finally gonna kiss in the next episode!

One more week until I enter the MTC! Can you believe it?

-the Romantic

butterflies

8/30/2011 The Charmer 3 Comments

Darling readers,

Be proud of me! I just called a boy to give the dreaded "You're really cool but I don't see this going anywhere talk." Phew! You might think that I do this a lot because of the number of boys who are interested in me, but I don't. I hate having that conversation and I avoid it like the plague. I'm pretty sure I was just as nervous to call him as he was the first time he called me and asked me on a date.

Anyways, you might not care...but I'm pretty darn proud of myself.



So...I met up with The Boy Downstairs last week.

And....well, I'll be honest; I was a little disappointed.

Even though I technically haven't been "waiting for him" all summer, there was a part of me that kept thinking about him and looking forward to when he'd come home. Unfortunately, I think I suffered from the "waiting for a missionary syndrome"--I idolized him while he was away and he ended up being a lot greater in my head than he was in person.

Don't get me wrong. He's still really nice. He's still a really good person. But I just wasn't feeling that "spark" with him.

I realized that I really need a guy who can go along with my crazy ideas. And even though The Boy Downstairs is a great guy, he's a little too...mellow.

But Masimo...
...now there's a guy who will go along with whatever outrageous plans I concoct in my head.

As you might remember, I noted in an earlier post that I wasn't sure if I could date Masimo. After all, we've been in "the friend zone" for an extended period of time, and I've never felt that crazy butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling when I'm around him.

But maybe the problem is not the lack of butterflies. Maybe the problem is this: because I've always experienced that butterfly sensation with my crushes in the past, I didn't think I could fall for someone unless I felt that way. However, the more time I spend around Masimo, the more I start to realize Wow...I think I might really be interested in this guy.

Maybe a lifetime of Disney movies and YA novels have left me confused about what love really is. Maybe true love isn't something that's always accompanied by sparks and butterflies and fireworks. Maybe it's one of those things that is supposed to creep up quietly. Maybe love is supposed to be less like an explosion and more like growing up. It doesn't happen with lights and sounds; rather, it happens gradually without you even noticing it.

Until one day, you look around you and realize, Wow, I've grown up. And then you look at that person you've been friends with since before you can remember and it hits you--Wow, I'm also in love.

(The problem is that I really do love those butterflies.)

Ta-ta,
The Charmer

The RM Returns

8/28/2011 The Blue Stocking 1 Comments

The RM is home. In fact not only is he home, but he called me the night he got home and asked me and our mutual friend to come hang out with him. It was like we had never skipped a beat…well there was the awkward first 10 minutes of "should I hug him," "will that freak him out?" But once a hug was settle on, it was golden.

We had a great time visiting, but at one point he thought it was a good idea to ask us how we were progressing in our dating life…not cool.

Questions like “have you been asked out this week,” {as if we had any control over that} were brought up to which I responded with “bite me."

Though I am happy to announce I could answer “why yes, yes I was,” I still was not pleased with this conversation that took aim at my failed dating life of two years. I don’t know about you, but sometimes those questions are quite obnoxious.

He then decided to demonstrate how one goes about getting a date by saying “Blue stocking {rest assured ladies my parents did not hate me enough to name me this} will you go on a date with me Friday night?” I was shocked by this forward approach, mostly because I can’t count how many time guys have tricked me onto dates and it’s not until half way through them that I realize we're doing more than just hanging out.

I said yes and the date was also going to include my friend. Now you’re probably wondering how it went. Well it didn’t actually happen. For some strange reason his family wanted to see him since he had just barely returned from a third world country after two years…weird huh?

But it has been rescheduled and I’ll keep you posted.

Now I am trying to figure out how I feel about this whole RM situation. He’s a great friend, I like being around him, but do I really see us doing anything beyond that?

However I do think I owe both of us a date or two before I make any final decisions.

-The Blue Stocking

The Breaker-Upper Virgin

8/23/2011 The Romantic 2 Comments

Hello Anti-Austins,
I have enjoyed reading your blog this last year and really did not expect that I would ever have a need to write-in. Partly because I always seem to have the answers to everything, and, honestly, partly because I am always the one to get dumped in relationships, which, yeah, does not usually feel great. However, now I find myself on the other end of things and don't have any idea what to do. I started dating a boy this summer and have enjoyed the last couple of months we've had. I knew within a month that I would not marry him, but for me, dating is as much about finding a spouse as it is about learning and growing in relationships (specifically, me learning how to be a better girlfriend/future wife). The summer has now come to an end and we're in different states for, well, the next few years. (There's nothing that is going to put us in the same place & frankly, I'm not crazy enough about him to move.) I've known for several weeks that this needed to end because this long-distance attempt to date is not getting us anywhere. I'm am not going to suddenly decide I could marry him, and I can tell he likes me much more than I do him. All signs point to ending this. However, as I work up the courage to say that, the only explanations I'm coming up with make me sound like the jerk boys I would always rail against. (For example, I would like to tell him that it's not really fair to him for me to tie him down. He's at school and needs dating experience, while I've graduated and have already had many of those opportunities. Him closing of socially would not be fair.) These explanations are true, just not the whole truth. The whole truth would be stated as, "I don't like you enough to keep doing this. I can't see us progressing past this point You should date other people. It will be good for you." He's such a sweetheart that telling him anything of the sort breaks my heart but at the same time I don't want to string him along. I also don't want to turn into one of those jerks who makes themselves seem noble and selfless in the break-up ("I'm doing this for you") but are truly walking away for their own selfish reasons. Any advice you could offer would be great.
-The Breaker-Upper Virgin

Dear Breaker-Upper Virgin,
As you might have read, I've dated three men. Since I broke up with the first two multiple times, I would say I have experienced every break up under the sun.
.The long drawn out and emotional kind, where you're both heaving sobs.
.The "yeah, let's just be friends" kind.
.The kind where you pretend you're ok.
.The "we're just going on a break, we're not breaking up" kind.
.The "I hate you" kind. (yeah my ex-boyfriend is the only person I've ever said that too. Real mature huh?)
.And even the "man, I am glad to get rid of him" kind.

So, my advice: Just do it. Be swift and to the point. I think it hurts less that way. And be honest. Men appreciate honesty. I'm not saying to act like a heartless wench and kick him to the curb. But just give him the blunt straight facts:


I think you know what to do. Good luck!
-the Romantic

The List

8/23/2011 The Charmer 4 Comments

I just had to share this picture with you. It is Exhibit A of why my life is ridiculous.

This is a comprehensive list of all the boys who have, at one point or another, shown interest in me this summer. As you can see, it's divided up into "Definitely Interested," "Maybe Interested," "No Longer Interested," and boys who "Almost Made a List" (a.k.a. they hit on me/flirted with me/asked for my number, but never did anything beyond that or they've only recently entered the picture and haven't had much time to make a move)


I know. It's unbelievable. I wish I could spread them out over all of you ladies.
To be honest, though, it's never been quite like this before. This summer has seen a lot more admirers than any previous season of my short-lived life.

The ones with stars next to their names are the ones I am most interested in. But which one to pick? And am I really ready for another relationship after having my heart crushed so recently by The Ex?

Anyways, I guess I'll just play it by ear.
Currently, my thoughts on the matter look like this:
The Boy Downstairs is driving to Provo as. we. speak. (That is...he would be if we were speaking. I guess I meant "as. I. write.") At the beginning of the summer, he was the only person I was even remotely interested in. Will we hit it off when I see him again? Or were the sparks I felt before nothing more than the excitement of an approaching summer?
Plus, now I have Ace chatting it up with me...and he is sounding very interested. This is definitely good news, since I would be extremely interested in dating him. He's a great guy and I know (and really like) his family. Unfortunately he lives in Colorado, and I do not. This presents a problem, since I am not about to do the long-distance thing.
Then there's Masimo. And even though I still feel a little weird about leaving "the friend zone" with him, he has definitely impressed me and I've started to consider it. I mean, seriously--this guy is persistent. He's fun, he can dance, (this is important to me.) and charming is truly one of the best words to describe him. Still, I worry that I'd have to force myself to fall in love with him. He's one of my good friends, and I'm not sure if I'm comfortable letting him be more than that.

And then what about all of the other really good guys who have expressed interest in me? If I decide to pick one of my other admirers, I might miss out on someone who I would really be happy with.

Sigh.

I have come to a realization: I dwell too much on hypothetical situations.

Hypothetically speaking,
The Charmer


Edit: Okay, scratch that. The Boy Downstairs is IN PROVO RIGHT NOW. And he just texted me to make sure that I knew.

Pre-Mi No Longer

8/21/2011 The Blue Stocking 2 Comments

My RM is coming home this week, and by home I do mean Provo....you know, the place I currently reside.

My RM who wanted to date me and chased me for months....but it didn't work out because, well, it was complicated.

My RM who also like my best friend....indecisive little fellow if you ask me.

My RM who I wrote his whole mission and he hinted -a lot- in letters that when he got home we should date.

Ya, that RM.

I have to admit I'm very excited for him to be home.
There's something about being around someone who knows you.
Someone that doesn't make you explain yourself.
You can just be: I can't wait to just be.
To be able to fall into the comfort of an old friendship.

No expectations, just a walk, that's all I need.

I have a feeling Fall is going to be an interesting semester....

-The Blue Stocking

Two Weddings and a missionary.

8/17/2011 The Romantic 0 Comments

Since my break up with Mr. Advice, wedding receptions have always filled me with a little bit of melancholy. They've always made me doubt myself a little.

"Could I have had this? If I had waited a little longer for him to get his act together? Could I have been this happy?"

Of course, over the years, I've realized how much I really need to trust myself. I was completely correct in my decision to end things with Mr. Advice.

But that doesn't keep the creeping dark creature we call loneliness from rearing his ugly head in the catacombs of my heart every time I walk into crepe paper covered cultural hall.

But last night... Well, last night was different.

An adorable Albanian couple from my ward had their reception last night. It was by and far the best reception I've ever been to.
I don't if I can put into words the why. It was just so good. The joy of everyone there was so enveloping. It permeated every person, bringing wide smiles to every face.

And I just felt it. I felt that that overwhelming happiness was so attainable for me. And for the first time at any wedding reception since Mr. Advice, I was overjoyed.

Tomorrow, one of my room mates is getting married. Another day filled with cake, photo taking, but mostly importantly the temple. And I'm so excited. No more melancholy and loneliness.
Just genuine smiles.

3 more weeks until I report to the MTC.

-the Romantic

Projectile Vomiting: Unheard of in Jane Austen Novels

8/16/2011 The Charmer 3 Comments

But apparently, it sometimes occurs in my dating life.

I guess that's just one more reason why my life is not a Jane Austen novel.

Last week, I had my first experience with Tucanos. Remember YogurtBoy? Well, the week he asked for my number we went out to lunch to this little Mexican place. He asked me out again, and so last week we went to Tucanos.

And what girl in her right mind turns down Tucanos?!

(Plus, I'd never been there before and it's been on my RESTAURANTS TO TRY list for a while now.)

YogurtBoy and I met up with his sister (who was celebrating her birthday, hence the Tucanos birthday lunch), his sister's boyfriend, and his sister's boyfriend's guy friend who must have missed the "bring a date" memo and consequently got to be the awkward 5th wheel the whole time. (Poor guy)

For those of you who haven't been, Tucanos was awesome. Since it was my first time, I was trying everything. And I'll admit, I probably ate a little (or a lot more) than I should have. The date was going well, too. I didn't at any point feel that sought-after "spark" with YogurtBoy, but I was definitely enjoying his company and the company of the other people on the date.

We finish our meal, the birthday girl finishes her birthday dance and chant, and we're sitting around chatting and waiting for the bill when I start feeling nauseous. At first, I brush it off as nothing. I'd been feeling kind of sick the past couple of weeks and unfortunately feeling nauseous after I eat has become a frequent occurrence.

But then I realize, nope, this isn't the usual case of after-meal nausea. I'm pretty sure I'm actually going to throw up.

I try to weigh the options in my head. Would it be absolutely terrible if I asked him to pull over on the way home so I could throw up on the side of the road? I give this a few seconds of thought and realize that I'm not going to make it that long. I start weighing the consequences again. What would happen if I threw up right here at the table?

During this inner monologue, YogurtBoy is asking me all sorts of pointless yet apparently necessary get-to-know-you questions, like "If you could only have one of the five senses, which would it be?" I had just replied with, "Sight" when I realized that I truly was about to throw up all over my date unless I hightailed it out of there immediately.

I excused myself and made my way (quickly) to the bathroom.

I'd gotten out of there just in time.

Well, okay, my timing was a little off. I didn't quite make it all the way into the stall.

I'll spare you the gory details, but just know that I have never thrown up so powerfully in my life. It was the very definition of projectile vomiting. I actually hit the back of the stall.

Yeah. Powerful stuff.

Anyways, I threw up twice and then felt completely fine. I took a few seconds to clean up the mess and make sure that nothing else was planning on coming back up, inspected myself in the mirror for any traces of wayward barf, and then made my way back out to the table.

If it had only been the two of us, I might have told YogurtBoy. But because I didn't actually want to share the details of what occurred between me and Stall #1 with everyone at the table, I didn't say a word. They had no idea that I had just thrown up all the garlic sirloin and grilled pineapple and passionfruit lemonade I'd shoveled down.
And I'm pretty sure it's better that way.

So that was my experience with Tucanos and projectile vomiting. It's not quite Pride and Prejudice, but I think it's a terribly fabulous story.

Next time, I'd better remember to follow the advice of a wise, wise woman:



With a sheepish shrug,
The Charmer

The Ex's Best Friend

8/15/2011 The Blue Stocking 7 Comments

Last week I promised a less dreary post so I will not mention the fact that my ex is texting me or the fact the Scooter has gone full on stalker mode...yup that's right, we're all going to pretend that's not actually happening.

Instead I'm going use me posting day to ask you all a question...

Can you stay friends with you're ex's best friend?

Ok ladies here's the delio, and it's quite problematic....my ex's childhood best friend wants us to remain friends.

Is that a good idea?

We were friends before and during the whole dating fiasco and he was the first to call me when it went up in flames. And even though it was a betrayal to their friendship he sided with me and said my ex (his BEST FRIEND) didn't treat me right.

The biggest problem is they're like brothers and they'll be living with each other this semester. This makes visiting him a definite no no, but he fully expects us to do just that when he gets back up here for fall.

I just feel terrible discarding a friendship with someone who has really been there for me.

So are some friendships worth the awkwardness or should I just drop it and move on? Would that be the proper thing to do?Are all relationships wrecking-balls for friendships?

Solution please

-The Blue Stocking

Mission Info

8/10/2011 The Romantic 4 Comments

I have 9 days left in Provo.

And I am a mess.

Mostly because I'm going to be homeless next week.

But it's ok. In four short weeks, I will be in the MTC! Hollah!

And now, a funny quote from an old Korea Daejeon mission blog:

Another Tip on How to be Charming

8/09/2011 The Charmer 4 Comments

Okay, so remember that one time when I wrote about The Lingering Glance?

Well there's another technique that's very similar. We'll call it the "Bashful Smile." (I guess technically they're probably both a variation on a theme.)

So last week I went with some of my co-workers to YoZone after work. We were having a grand old time chatting amongst ourselves when I noticed this guy across the room watching me. I kept chatting with my girls when I looked up at him again--still watching me! Well, we made eye contact--he knew I was looking at him and he knew that I knew he'd been watching me. Things could have gotten awkward.
Or...maybe not. Not if I salvaged the situation.
So, I smiled briefly (The Bashful Smile should not last longer than 2 seconds) and then looked down as if I was embarrassed that he'd caught me looking at him. (Which I sort of was. Making eye contact across a room is always semi-awkward.) And then I only allowed myself to look at him once more while we were there.

Anyways, long story short, as we all got up to leave this boy sidles over to me. As all of my co-workers and the majority of the restaurant stop what they're doing and stare, he asks, "Hey, would it be okay if I took you out some time?"

That, my friends is gutsy. It takes nerves for a guy to ask a stranger out when she's surrounded by her friends.

I said yes. I gave him my number. The kid definitely gets brownie points for being brave.

But I'm sure it helped that I encouraged him with a smile.

So, ladies, next time you catch a boy watching you (and he's NOT giving off creeper vibes), try out the Bashful Smile. Remember, the main difference between this and the Lingering Glance is that you don't linger. You're bashful. You're demure. You're coy. You're artfully shy (yes, my friends, that is apparently the definition of "coy").

And please, let me know if it gets you a date!

Wishing you luck,
The Charmer

Closure

8/07/2011 The Blue Stocking 6 Comments

Closure, does anyone really get it?

This past summer I’ve been talking to several different friends and, as a lot of conversations do, we drifted towards the subject of ex-boyfriends.

The main topic being closure: none of us has been able to fully grasp it.

More than anything we talked about all those words left unsaid choking us, burning our throats, drowning our voices.

These chats made me wonder if the readers of this blog have ever faced this dilemma. If so I will share a small fix; something that has come to help me.

Since writing has always been the easiest way for me to express myself, I write them each a letter.

Wickham got three pages single space, filled with the truth I’d spent months hiding from him. It took me a long time to write it, but more than that, to get it right: to not let bitterness consume it. Now it is conveniently saved in my own word document, stored away for a day it no longer tempts me to send it.

This process has become a tradition now. I have composed letters for everyone; from the sweet boy who did everything right and I still broke up with him, to the boy I avoided because while he liked me my best friend loved him.

It’s become a cathartic healing process. One that I indulge in frequently.

Unfortunately Wickham had other plans for us, he wanted a dinner. Instead of opening the wounds like I thought, this event brought me the closest thing to closure I could hope for.

We went to dinner. This time was different. Yes there was flirting, laughter, and the witty conversation I have been craving, but It was different. My feelings that for so long had created a façade of perfection dropped from him. I truly saw him, not just the version I created.

It was always right there staring me in my face and I never once saw his ego like I did across that table. The strangest thing is he looked so small to me. I don’t know how else to describe it, but his smallness was ever present

The whole time I kept thinking “How did I let this boy, this jerk, steal my happiness?” I know this all sounds harsh and you’re probably thinking “how did you end up with this shmutz?” He isn’t that bad, he really is a decent guy trying to do the right thing and I honestly believe he feels bad about how everything went down. The reason for my straightforward harshness is it’s all so shocking and new to me. Shocking that I never realized and shocking because I could have ended up with this guy.

All in all I have come to realize that every girl needs to date a Wickham. It’s like we need to get it out of our system and as long as we don’t marry him It can be a rather enlightening experience. I learned a lot about myself and I am grateful for everything, the good and the bad.

I would now like to take a moment to apologize for all these dreary posts, dear heavens I’m tired of them too. I hope for all of our sakes my dating life improves or at least becomes less dramatic because I don’t think I can take another year like this one.

Well here’s to fall semester and the adventures single life has waiting for me and thank heavens for closure, I hope we all find it.

-The Blue Stocking

The Ghosts of Ex-Boyfriends Past

8/03/2011 The Romantic 6 Comments

Most RM sisters have told me what a trial it will be the 6 weeks before I go into the MTC, with all the boys that will want to date me. I find it highly ironic that not only is this NOT happening, but I seem to be more awkward around men than ever! I can't even imagine how I'll be after I get back.

If only it was September 7th already...

Oh, what was that you asked? You're wondering how my farewell went?

Well, I shall tell you. Aside from the normal nerves of giving a talk, I was petrified all weekend about seeing Sweater Guy. But I just decided that if I remained cool, calm, and collected. All would be well.

As my 1:30 Sacrament Meeting start time approached, the palms of my hands got clammier and clammier. And then I just told myself that Sweater Guy probably wouldn't come anyway. It wouldn't be the first time he let me down. The opening hymn was sung, many of my friends were sitting in the audience. But no Sweater Guy.
And then, to my utter embarrassment, he shows up 20 minutes late, swaggering in the back with his best friend. They were wearing matching ties. I'm still not quite sure why. But the worst of it was Sweater Guy's MULLET. Some sort of obvious stunt to make me think he was really funny. Why did I not see him for the hipster he was!?!
Well, I didn't think it was funny. And I also didn't think it was funny that he was sitting in the back, goofing off with his best friend while I was speaking.
He waited patiently for his turn to talk to me after the meeting was over. But people kept cutting in front of him, and I made no effort to stop them.
I finally greeted him with a "Thank you so much for coming!"
And that was that.
I really dodged a bullet there. The door is shut on Sweater Guy forever I'm happy to say!

Monday morning dawned and I was in a fantastic mood. I signed onto Facebook. And what do I have but a message from Mr. Advice. My very first boyfriend. The one I almost married.
(insert gulping sound here)

Here is an excerpt of what he wrote:

I feel scared and sick sometimes when I think of how things went with us. I know we weren't right for each other. You sensed that before I did. But even so, you gave me so much. I hate to think I took from you. I still feel that those memories should be good memories instead of what they feel like now. I loved those times and I want to always cherish them. But I don't feel allowed to. Maybe that is how it should be but I wish it wasn't. I'm sorry if this is inappropriate. It very well might be. But this is how I feel. I'm sorry. I can't regret too many things because I am happy but if it was at the expense of others, you, well that can be hard to accept some nights.

He also congratulated me on my call and said that I will be a blessing to the people in Korea. You might think that I was torn up inside at hearing from him. But indeed, dear readers, I was not. We dated two years ago. And although all my boyfriends now have to live with the shadow of the perfect boyfriend that he was, I really have come to terms with the fact that he married someone else.

Do you want to know what I wrote back? Well, ok. Here it goes, but just for the sake of your curiosity.

Thank you so much for this letter. I understand how much courage it must have taken for you to send it to me.
We had always talked about me going on a mission. Remember? So I'm glad that you found out in some way. I had hoped that you would.

I really want you to never regret any portion of our relationship. You were such a good boyfriend. And so right for me at that time in my life.

But I am not that little girl anymore.

It hasn't been easy for me to get to this point, but I can honestly say that I am completely at peace with everything that happened. The only real regret I have are some of the things I said in anger. And I am sorry for that. I realize now that you handled things in the most delicate, tactful way possible. Your wife, from what I understand, is so perfect for you. And everything that I couldn't be or give. I wish you both the most blissful happiness the world has to offer. Really, and truly, I'm saying that with all the honesty I have in my person.

So rest easy.
I am happy.

I hope this gives you the closure you need! Don't worry about me! I'm happy you think of me as a fond memory from your distant past. That's how it should be. Please share this letter with your wife. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. She brought you happiness at a dark time in your life, and has now illuminated it with a great brightness that glows brighter than wattage I can muster.
Be happy.
Have lots of hippie babies.
And please, don't stop creating; especially joy in those around you. That was always your greatest talent.


So, I guess I have closure. Who would've thought a mission would be what does it? (I find this song most appropriate)

I apologize for the novel of a post dear readers. I've been thinking lately that maybe the subjects of my posts have just become too personal, and that perhaps it disturbs the privacy of those I write about. But when I read your emails of support and love, the ones that thank me for being an inspiration, I can't not write.

Hopefully, I'll find a man one day who's ok with a woman that writes...

Happy Wednesday readers!
-the Romantic

The Tale of Masimo

8/02/2011 The Charmer 4 Comments

This post is about another one of my suitors. We will call him Masimo.

Now, since most of you are Austen fans, you may not be familiar with a genre of literature known as "chick lit." These books tend to have brightly colored covers, titles like "Lipgloss, Love, and Lockerguy," or "Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging" and chronicle humorous stories about teenage girls whose high school experiences were way more exciting than mine were.

Anyways, I stole the name Masimo from one of these books. Like I said, despite the fact that this particular book is also written by an English novelist (I swear, all great literature comes from England), most of you probably haven't heard of it since I'm assuming you'd rather read about Victorian dresses and parlor dances than knickers and snogging. Anyways, in the book Masimo is an Italian boy fondly nicknamed "the luuurve god." And my own Masimo may also refer to a boy from Italy...or it might just be a boy who served his mission in Italy. You can decide which is more likely.

Masimo actually entered my life over a year ago. He moved into my ward and seemed rather interested in me upon our first meeting. However, my Roommate pulled the whole, "Hey, so when's your boyfriend coming over tonight?" to make sure he knew right away that I was taken. He backed off, as can be expected. However, when the Ex and I broke up that fall, Masimo didn't waste any time moving in. He asked me on a couple dates, one which was rather extravagant, and of course I went with him. Unfortunately for him, though, I didn't give him much of a chance; I was still caught up in thoughts of the Ex and the chance that we would get back together. (In fact, I actually thought we would be getting back together the same week as the extravagant date.)

When it became clear that my relationship status with the Ex was not going to change, I started realizing that maybe I could be interested in Masimo. I started spending a little more time with him. I realized that he actually was a terribly sweet boy; he came into my work and brought me cookies, he remembered little details about my life, and he was really just a good guy. We had some late nights where we'd just stay up and talk, and when he sang for the Christmas program I found myself falling for him just the tiniest bit. (There's nothing that gets me like a guy with an amazing singing voice!) I started to wonder if maybe it could work out between Masimo and me.

But then I got back from Christmas break and the Ex entered the picture again. When the Ex and I started dating for the second go-round, Masimo moved on. He even dated another girl in the ward (briefly). We became pretty good friends, but I figured he was out of the romantic picture permanently.

Until recently.

Over the past couple months, Masimo has again asserted himself as a potential suitor. He definitely seems to be letting me know that he's interested again and that for whatever reason, he's decided to give me a second chance.

But despite the fact that he's a great guy (and he has the added bonuses of being able to sing and dance and speak Italian and cook amazing Italian food)...it's Masimo. He's a great friend, but I just don't know if I could date him. It's one of those things where I've known him for so long on the friend level that I know all his little quirks...and honestly, I just don't know if we're compatible even if I wanted us to be.

Ciao,
The Charmer

PS- I have to admit that every time I think of Italian boys, I think of that one kid from The Lizzie McGuire Movie. Shameful, I know.