The reason for Jessie's "Yay"!

Date #19 was my favorite... and the reason for starting that whole thing in the first place. For me, with any big commitment I make -- buying a car, booking a holiday, dating a person exclusively -- I need to do enough research beforehand to save myself from "buyer's remorse".

So I did. I went out with a lot of really wonderful guys, and learned what I liked and what I didn't, what I consider an important quality and what I don't think really matters.

Anyway, Jared and I have dated for about 2 months since then, and 2 months before then, and most of the time in between all my other dates (which he knew about, by the way). We've never talked marriage, though a girl always hopes that's where it's heading (and if she doesn't, that's a sign right there to unplug and run)! So I hoped, but didn't really expect that he'd give me *this* on Monday night. :D

For Wendy

Lucky

My apologies to any followers of my '29 Dates'; I know it's been FOREVER since I've posted! So here's the update. Finally.

Date #19: 11 April
Jared, 22, musicologist student

As you know from Jessie's post, this day in history - April 15 - is notorious for such events as the sinking of the Titanic, the death of Lincoln, tax day, and my birthday. Oddly enough, it also happens to be the birthday of my date, Jared.

I met Jared while serving in the England Birmingham Mission. He says we met through his companion Elder Maggart, but I don't remember that; I remember meeting Jared as the new district leader in my second area. I experienced a lot while in that area - Welsh winters, Halloween, Christmas, "killing" my old comp, and training a new one. Through our 6 months there, we became great friends. We went our separate ways, and then, to our surprise, I was transferred to Leicester my last few months, as was he! He was my district leader for a second time, and it was fun to serve around each other again. We kept in touch after he went home, and my last companion and dear friend helped me realize that... I might actually like him more than just a friend! Wha?!? Never!

Anyway, long story short, we'd been on quite a few dates since December 2008, and decided we wanted to celebrate our birthday together. He goes to USU in Logan, so we celebrated while he was down for the weekend. He came to my house and made me one of my favorite homemade meals - cheese quesadillas. After dinner, I took him to Old Navy, and got him some great jeans for his birthday. From there we went to Cold Stone Creamery, where we each got free 'Like It' ice creams, just because it's our birthdays!! Awesome! Then we went back to my house and exchanged gifts (which is REALLY weird, because it's like Christmas... only, not).

As weird as it is that we share the same birthday, and a ridiculous amount of the same tastes in music, movies, food, and many other things, it's also really great to be with someone I get on so well with. He really is one of my best friends, and has been with me through thick and thin... (I hope that the future has a lot more 'thin' in it, at least where I am concerned. Ha ha.) And I hope the future has a lot of him in it, too.

The last time I had decent pizza:

While I was in Salt Lake (seven months ago) Wendy and I got the Pie delivered. So. Delicious. I ♥ the Pie. It has ruined all other pizza for me. They're gourmet, use quality ingredients, and have The Greek. I'm drooling.







Here are the pictures of the deliciousnessity:



Would red or white wine go with cheese pizza? If you answered chocolate milk you get two points!

This is the face of real happiness.

And in the background you can see the Goonies fireplace at the Beardalls'.

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I think we consumed about seven billion calories that afternoon.

Our work here is done. And it was the best half hour of work ever.

You asked for it, you got it, Toyota

Date #18: a weekday in April
Josh, 31, Salesman

My office is relatively small. There are 5 warehouse guys, 4 office ladies, 3 salesmen... and a partridge in a pear tree. We are located just west of the Salt Lake International Airport. Which basically means that you better bring your lunch or expect to drive 20 minutes to the nearest food oasis. We are in the middle of nowhere. (We even had escapee cows out to pasture across the street one day.)

I got my job through a guy in my singles ward, so now we're coworkers now as well as fellow YSA. One night I told my visiting teacher about my 29 dates... who announced it at a to-do where Josh was present... who then decided to share it at work. Good grief!!

Well, I used this to my advantage one day. I was in a rush (probably from sleeping in after one of my many dates) and forgot my lunch at home. Oh the humanity! A hungry Wendy is not a pretty sight!! Josh and Justin were talking about Subway, so I said to Josh, "How about you buy me lunch and I'll call it a date?!" Josh is tall, thin, and relatively handsome. He owns his own home, and is the talk of the singles ward. He's pretty crazy, but a lot of fun... He's also not anyone I've ever even considered being interested in (despite our coworker's hopes). All these things make it so I feel I can be a lot cheekier than I would normally.

Well, imagine my surprise when he replied, "Ok. But I'm not paying for Justin's!" So we took everyone's sandwich orders (and their money) and went to the local Subway for lunch. He didn't bother opening my car door, but I wasn't bothered either. We chatted about the weather, about Google, and about the dangers of being picky with big lunch orders. It was a good time, albeit a short time! But I'm totally counting it -- we planned on it, we were paired off in going, and he paid. Done and done!

Tax day, anniversary of Lincoln's death and the sinking of the Titanic

Happy birthday, Wendy! I miss you.

Girls Don't Like Boys, Girls Like Cars and Money

Date #17: Saturday, 11 April
Jason, 32, Physical Therapist in training


I met Jason about 5 years ago in my YSA singles ward. He had recently gotten home from his mission, and he and his brother started coming to our ward. I'd been suffering with a very stale crush, so Jason was a breath of fresh air to me! He's tall, dark, and (I think) handsome, and really charming! I befriended him right away, and tried to invite him to this and that. He often couldn't go because of his strong family ties, but would make time for me when he could. My favorite memories were talking on walks we'd take on those perfect summer nights, and driving around in his old beater of a truck.

I discovered that he had a lot of admirable qualities and a wisdom that only comes with life experience. He also had a wicked sense of humor, and I do mean wicked! He can give you a grin that makes you wonder if he's a really funny guy or a complete psychopath! (I'm pretty sure he's just really funny...)

Well, time passed. He moved away, and so did I. I'd get over my secret crush and then I'd get a random email or text from him that made it all come back again. Curses! Eventually, his impeccable timing and disarming manner drove me completely mad, and I pulled what my friends and I refer to as a "Lisa Holiday*"!

...You know when there's that guy that you ardently admire and love, and you just want to get it off your chest and tell him?! Then you'd discover that all this time he'd felt the same, and all those what-if's would finally be answered?! Well, that's what she did. And so did I... For the record, pulling a "Lisa Holiday" may take the pressure off your chest, but in the end you'll wish that it was back on. In the form of a large rock. That will hide you from your shame. And you'll wish that you'd never taken that holiday from sanity.

Annywaay, for some reason, he was still willing to be my friend after all that. And even willing to help me on my way to 29 dates. I'd tried to connect with him, but his ridiculously busy schedule would not allow. He finally felt bad enough to squeeze in a lunch date with me, and so begins our tale.


He apologized profusely for being more than an hour late, but for some reason, I didn't mind too much. It could be that he's upgraded his vehicle to this beauty!! He says that he'll leave it to me after he dies. I told him I want that in writing.

I tried to explain that I love him as well as his car... but that may not be true! This car I lovingly refer to as the Batmobile. It. Is. AWESOME!! Not only is it gorgeous, but an incredibly smooth ride, even at 120... I mean, yeah. Back to lunch.

We went to Mimi's Cafe and had a really yummy lunch. The conversation was a bit strained because he'd scraped the car on the curb in the parking lot; I think I was almost as upset as he was! But eventually we relaxed and laughed and chatted for a long while. We were having so much fun, he asked me to spend more time with him while shopping for his friend's wedding gift, so we drove to Target and played the 'Saturday-shopping couple'. It was fun! Probably more fun as a non-couple than it is as a real one! We went back to my place, wrapped the gift, and ended up chatting the afternoon away!! Eventually, we both had to get on with our day -- to his evening plans, and to my next date!

*name has been changed