A year ago tonight, I was at the Orbit Cafe and Bar with my friend Iain. We were having a little drink before he headed back to Modesto. He was in town buying my old PC from me. We said farewell and I walked up the street from the bar to catch the N-Judah out to the Sunset for my latest (and last) internet personals date.

I had been doing online dating for a few weeks, and thus far had been on three or four mildly boring dates with men who really didn’t seem to click with me at all. In fact I was close to giving up when Brian answered my ad. He looked cute and seemed funny, so I replied and we had been instant messaging for a week and a half or so. And now we were finally going to meet.

I waited for him at the Canvas Cafe. He got a little lost and had to call my roommate to get directions and my cellphone number. Hee. But he showed up, and when I first saw him, he smiled that cute smile that I still love. He gave me a hug, and we walked a few doors down to the Indian place for dinner. It was a good date. After dinner we walked around outside, then had some hot apple cider at Canvas.

He walked me to the train and I said “I want to see you again.” I said it as clearly as I could; with the other dates it had been more like “well, I’ll see ya later,” which translates to “have a nice life.” No, I really wanted to see Brian again. And so I did, a few days later, when we went out for dinner downtown and played a few games of pool.

That was one year ago, and I am still happy and giddy and smiley when we’re together. He’s just what I wanted. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky…

Today we woke up and I made blueberry pancakes and Kona coffee (a gift from Brian). I gave him his present: I put his calligraphied black belt certificate into a nice mat and frame. Then we went over to Oakland to Piedmont Springs Spa where we soaked in a private hot tub and sauna for an hour. Ahhhh.

Sorry for this mush mush entry, I just feel so special about today. Wheeeee!!