What was I Thinking?

Back in the day, I considered myself a pretty hot chick. I was petite, with a nice figure and long, dark hair, but for some reason I lacked the confidence to really approach guys that really caught my eye. Those shy years back in high school still haunted me, unfortunately. Some of my best friends were guys and we had great times but I couldn't picture myself being in a serious relationship with any of them.

I wanted to feel the euphoria of new romance and was getting sadly desperate. One of my friends suggested trolling the internet dating sites for someone that might pique my interest. I thought to myself, "How lame that I have to resort to the computer to find myself a date, for God's sake!"

Despite my initial reluctance, the idea began to grow on me and I started casually checking out the different dating sites. There were some really weird profiles, including dirty old guys that didn't have a chance of scoring, alongside young men who were very specific and only wanted responses from women who were "plump" or "rotund". After this discouraging start, I would turn on the computer just for the laugh factor and gave no more thought to the idea.

One day, I happened to come across the profile of a man who looked halfway interesting. Scrolling down his profile I saw that he was easy on the eyes, had a good job and had actually graduated from college. Okay, so far, so good. He also said that he wanted to meet a "nice woman with high morals". Hmm, well I considered my moral standards to be pretty high. Before I knew it, I had clicked on the button to send him a message. I told him a little about myself and what I was looking for in a potential mate and pressed the "Send" icon.

Not 15 minutes later, I received an email from the object of my affection. Instead of thinking this reply was maybe a little too fast, I thought it meant he must really like me. I began to spin little fantasies in my head.

We continued to correspond for about two more weeks, even having a few conversations over the telephone. We talked about everything from school, to what we wanted to do with our lives, our families, and I began to feel a sense of connection with this person. The immediate intensity was the first bad sign and one that I conveniently ignored. When he suggested that we meet in person, I immediately jumped at the chance. I was excited and thought that maybe I had found "The One".

We made a date to meet up the next weekend at a local coffee shop in my town. He agreed and I actually felt a sense of guilt because he was from a town that was located about 100 miles away and I felt bad for making him drive so far. In hindsight, I wonder what I was even doing talking to someone who lived so far away in the first place.

He told me what he looked like and what color shirt he would have on at the coffee shop. I parked my car and with anticipation, walked toward my destiny. I hastily scanned the customers at the outside tables, looking for this guy and suddenly, there he was. Sitting at a table all by himself and holding a small, white coffee cup. I could tell he was looking around for me too.

As I got closer, I realized that this guy was short. Very short. All the excitement drained about of my body because when he stood up, this guy was literally one inch taller than me, and I am 5 feet tall. It took all my strength not to run screaming to my car, but since he had drive all this way to meet me, I figured I would talk to him, at least.

We exchanged pleasantries and immediately, I could tell this guy was not only way too eager to meet me but he was also an arrogant jerk, as well. He also looked nothing at all like his picture. He only talked about himself and I could feel his beady little eyes scan over my body. It made me cringe inside, but once again, I thought I should be nice.

After about 15 minutes, I tried to think of an excuse to get out of the rest of the date, but nothing came to mind. He suggested "watching movies" at my house and like a dummy, I thought that he really meant watching movies. Like a lamb to the slaughter, I jumped in my car and told him to follow me in his car to my apartment. I thought that it was the least I could do for making him come all this way.

As soon as the door shut he immediately grabbed me and tried to kiss me. I kind of laughed him off because I didn't know if he was a rapist or anything. I told him I was not that kind of person, but he persisted and tried to take me into my bedroom. He pulled me onto his lap and I remember thinking to myself, "Okay, how am I going to get myself out of this situation?"

After about 5 minutes of me saying, "No, you haveto leave now!" , over and over again, I think he finally got the hint. I made up an excuse that my sister would be home at any minute and that he had better go. As I literally pushed him out the door, I must say that I have never been so happy to see someone leave.

This man had no personality, was incredibly presumptious and looked and acted nothing like his computer profile. I am sure that I was not the only one to fall victim to his slick ways and when I look back, it makes me so angry that I could have been just another statistic. This was my wake-up call and after that incident I decided to try and meet a man the old-fashioned way. At least it's honest.