The Beginning and the Bread

"And if you think that you're invited back in case you come to your senses, you're not." These were the words that I delivered to Ron as he exited the door of my condo.

It was a more emotional experience than I would have anticipated, based on a number of facts. We had only known each other two weeks, during which time we saw each other three times. That's not unusual to my schedule but surprising that it was enough time for me to generate language as ugly as mine.

This was another of those internet dating service events. Generally, they were enormously disappointing. Men advertise themselves as George Clooney and look more like Godzilla. Or they speak liberally of mutual funds, variable annuities and Eurodollars, when in fact they have been receiving unemployment for longer than they can remember.

But this one was different. We were born in the same state, were both Leos (more important to some than others, I suppose) and had the same eclectic tastes in music. More significantly, we both believed in motherhood, patriotism, travel and driving Subarus. It was (evidently) a perfect connection.

We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and attended the Chicago concert at a local amphitheater. Of course, he was gentlemanly (being from Illinois and old enough to realize that wrestling on the first date was not advisable), we held hands at the concert and (briefly) kissed goodnight.

A number of phone calls followed and I was beginning to believe that there was indeed hope for internet dating. Then was the phone call that included the ominous: "We need to talk." I expected the death knell and was not surprised when it came to pass.

It seems that a former fling had resurfaced and he had no choice but to return. He was on his way to a week's vacation for which I had baked a quick bread. And so, I issued the "you're not welcome back" language and all but flung the quick bread at him.

Here we are six years later, almost two years married. He dumped her, contacted me and I reluctantly met for breakfast. The balance of our romance is traditional but fulfilling courtship. Be assured that I remind him periodically of the poor decision that he had made early in our history. He's unmoved by the reminders but we do live happily ever after.