The Story of T, Part 1

So if you've followed my blog for any length of time you knew I was starting to date again. 
I ventured out using dating websites, mainly Plenty of Fish (PoF), on recommendation of a friend. 
I chatted with loads of guys. 
Met two of them. 
One of them I married.  

*A bit of back story*
So, we started "chatting" for a while. Back and forth, back and forth as you do through dating websites. We had a pretty good flow of conversation. Then, I brought up favorite movies. He stated his was "Garden State", to which, I replied, "I like the sound track better". His response, was nothing short of a 5 paragraph essay in support of why the movie was better then the soundtrack. Then, I didn't hear from him. This was BEFORE Christmas. Come January 15th-ish I got a message from him asking me for my number. I kinda begrudgingly gave it to him (I assumed there was no harm in giving a phone number out, right?). IMMEDIATELY he called me. I was totally caught off guard. This from a guy who 1) ripped me a new one on a topic that was opinion based and 2) I hadn't heard from in nearly a month. Well, he immediately apologized for the lapse in communication and explained is was "severely sick" and "had very bad stomach issues". In my head I  didn't know weather to believe him or not. Either way, we continued the some what brief conversation and he ultimately ended it with asking me to go horseback riding with him and some friends. I accepted, but only on the terms of allowing me to pay for myself. He refused but I told him I'd fight him for it.  I had a lot of friends give me advice as to what to do, including one friend who told me to bring a check and if I like him, to rip the check up, but if I don't like him, leave the check on his car seat when I get out. I showed up prepared, check in hand.

First date: January 23, 2011
Where: Horseback riding at South Mountain

T is wearing a stripped shirt

Here are some of the facts from our first date:

He may have been right... can't really see my face.

• T was 45 minutes late
• We wore the same outfit, jeans, black shirt, black chucks and sunglasses, doesn't get cheesier then that. :-/
• He claims he had NO IDEA what I looked like because I was covered from head to toe and could hardly see my face because of my huge glasses. See Photo
• I was all the way at the front of the horse line, T was all the way at the back. I spent 1 1/2 hours talking to no one, because I knew no one. 
• We ate hamburgers and hot dogs afterwards. We talked about family, what we're looking for and life. 
• I believe HE asked me to go see a movie. Neither of us remembers what movie it was (looking back, I *think* it might have been "The Rite".) I paid. 
• He asked to put his arm around me and I said "NO". T claims, this is the point he knew he wanted to marry me. 
• We went to eat sushi at Teharu Sushi. It was ok. :-P
• We were going to go to ice cream :-D but I had to get home to Z
• Our FIRST date lasted 8 hours.

We spent the next couple of days talking on the phone. I was so giddy and so rebellious, that I had to talk inside my closet. 1) I didn't want my parents knowing I was talking to a boy and 2) I did want to wake Z up, so I had to muffle my voice somehow. We talked all hours of the night, once, staying up till 4am. It was junior high love! We talked about our pasts, our past loves, our past heartbreaks, some of our fears, our faith, our desires for family, for our future and loads of other stuff.

Second Date:

Pacific Roll

Mid-week he asked me to if I could meet him at Ra Sushi for dinner. I obliged. As we walked down the road I noticed two things, not only did he guide me (without touching me) but he also made sure to stand on the side of on coming traffic. At one point, there was a large crowd of people crossing the street. He QUICKLY grabbed my hand to keep me close (He was so sneaky! After me telling him "no" the first time, I think he may have been hesitant to ASK a second time). He turned to me a few seconds later, shocked I didn't let go and asked "Is it OK if I hold your hand now?", with a big smile on my face, I said "Yes, that is fine". In typical Jasmine fashion, I don't remember much about what we talked about. I do remember I ordered the Pacific Roll and halfheartedly ate a piece. Knowing T MUCH better know, I understand why he was SOO hesitant, but he did it for me <3

I'm sure we spent copious amounts of time on the phone. I was guarding my heart now more then ever because of She Who Shall Not Be Named, continuously speaking into my life. I didn't rush out to see him every moment I had and I was very specific about timing it so it did not affect my time with Z. The amazing thing, is that T was SO INCREDIBLY understanding of my role not only as a mother but someone living in a parents house with rules.

Third Date: January 30th
Where: Redemption Church, Tempe and Oregano's
There are no pictures from this date. I had been very intentional through all online communication (on PofF) and through talking over the phone that God is FIRST and that any relationship I have will also follow that motto. He obviously agreed with me and we decided we would start looking for a church together. He came across their website and started listening/watching Pastor Justin Anderson speak and T was sold. To say that church that morning was a punch to the face (in a good way) is putting it lightly. I stepped in and immediately felt at home and T claims the same. We were both brought to tears and blubbered like idiots in front of each other. But most important, we BOTH felt God INDIVIDUALLY. It was one of the most powerful moments of my life.
After that emotional hour, we went to eat lunch at Oregano's. Being the beezy I am, I asked him when he was going to ask me to be his girlfriend. He said "Will you be my girlfriend?" to which I replied "No.". I'm evil, I know. But, from then on, we were "official". Lunch was good. Recently, I've figured out why I've never enjoyed their food. Apparently THE ONLY THING to eat there is pizza, not pasta. So the next time I make it there, I will order pizza to see if my  mind has changed.

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Thankful for
1) I am thankful that God is continuously working in my heart to grow me into a better women for Him.
2) I am thankful for memories 
3) I am thankful for trials, because without them a person would grow stagnant.