Phone Call

One year ago today, I made a phone call.

I knew. I knew before I made the call what I wanted.

It had been almost exactly 20 years since I'd called a woman for the purpose of securing a date.

Sure, I'd seen people, dated, even. But... to pick up the phone and verbally request that you meet me at a specific time and place with clear romantic intentions? It's now happened exactly twice in my life.

Yes, I knew what I wanted. But there was no way to know what would happen next.

I always like to know the ending.

I take great care to plan and think and factor and figure... so I know all the possible options and can choose the best path forward.

The only thing I knew one year ago was that I had to see you.

That I could not go one more day without asking to see you. That as soon as you were available, I wanted to look into your eyes and hear your voice.

Here are my great fears: Heights. Snakes. The phone.

Sure, I call people when I absolutely have to and it can't be avoided. But, texting has enabled me to avoid LOTS of calls and to set up meetings and dates without having to endure the phone.

Still, I wanted to hear your voice... I wanted to ask you one thing and I wanted (badly) for you to say yes... and I knew that if you said yes to me over the phone, you'd be there.

So I called. And we talked. And I asked...and you said yes, that you had time the next day. We could have coffee.

That day... one year ago … began the longest period of complete happiness I've ever experienced.

Our coffee date was... amazing. And, the rest was incredible. And, sure, it ended. I know why. It wasn't harsh or cruel or mean... it was necessary, however painful.

I will forever remember that phone call, every single word of it.

I still cannot believe it happened...and I still cannot believe you said yes.

Everything after showed me a peace, a happiness, a pure acceptance that I did not know was possible.

I love you. More than I have ever loved before. More than I will likely ever love again.

And it all began with that one phone call one year ago.