Smitten Kitten

I’ve been a silly-sally this week. Could be the magic carpet ride, or could be the fact that I finally lost a few and my thighs aren’t rubbing together quite as much. Either way, I’m giddy as hell. 

Do you ever go to bed excited for the next day and just want sleeping to be over with so that a new day can begin? Lately, I’ve been waking up far before my alarm clock tells me to, eager to start the day. I actually get disappointed when it’s not time to start. So, unlike a normal person who would roll over and go back to bed, I rebel and start my day regardless. Even if it is 3:30am. I had one such day on Thursday morning. 

I woke up long before sunrise and took my pre-workout supplements in preparation for my morning run: Advocare’s MNS Max E, Slam, Spark, Catalyst, Clear Mood, A-Supreme, and my thyroid medications. As my supplements settled, I cleaned my apartment. I tell ya, even a 1-bedroom is tough to maintain. I focused this particular cleaning session on my bathroom; it’s usually time when the counter is coated in a layer of bare minerals. I then made note to find the number of a house cleaner. 

My supplements hit me twenty minutes later. It’s not a scary hit by any means, it’s like a hit of energizing happiness; preparing my mind, body, and soul for the physical demands of the day. I threw on my bright, plaid lulu running shorts and bra top. I dig when it’s warm enough to run sans shirt. Excitement washed over my face as I realized my size 8 shorts were no longer cutting into the fat on my sides. Sweet success. 

I begin every run outside with “Viva La Vida” chiming in my ears. This gorgeous song paints a positive picture in my mind; a positive picture I want to carry throughout the day when the run is over and appointments, computer work, and further workouts consume me. 

I decided to make this run a hilly run. Get some glute action. Love me some glute action. I headed for Queen Anne and made it up to the top. It was just me and a couple buses making early routes. The rest of the city was sleeping. And then I had a moment. One of those moments when all you can do is start praying to thank God for what He’s blessed you with. Tears swelled up in my eyes and I shifted my running to a brisk walk. Sometimes I’m just so overwhelmed with all the goodness in life, I really don’t know what to think, so I give thanks. 

I rallied my sappy self back to my apartment and decided an americano was in order. Yes, I am a caffeine-aholic. Yes, my adrenals are shot. I wasn’t even sure if Starbucks was open it was so damn early, but they didn’t fail me, and sent me on my way with a warm treat to soothe my soul. 

So, that new man I met last Sunday on a magic carpet? Turns out, it was truly that: magical. 

Firstly, this was a blind date. Well, as much of a blind date as Facebook allows these days. I was told to add him as a friend by my Advocare advisor and client, Holly. He was also one of her Advocare advisors and she said that when she met him for the first time she instantly thought of me. 

I added Luke and gave him my number. I really make it easy on guys. I just think life is too short to not go after potential. Potential is found few and far between. 

A week and a half later, I got a text inviting me to meet him on Sunday. I agreed, but mentioned that I am competing and thus cannot partake in fine food or drink. He promised to only serve carrots and protein shakes. He was already catching on to me.

I then took it upon myself to do some brief Facebook stalking of his profile. What I gathered was that he was unabashedly good-looking; a classic look. A James Dean-ish look. Very stylish and fit. I also gathered that he was a musician. And 31 years old. Hello, points. 

I was getting my hair done on the Friday before our date, and it just so happened that a mutual friend who knows Luke is a hairdresser at the salon I go to. I told her I was going to meet Luke on Sunday and she gushed, “Oh, Luke! Such a sweet guy. So handsome...so thoughtful.” I then asked why he’s 31 and single, if he’s got so much going for him, to which she replied, “He is verrrrrrry picky.” Great. That’s good to know, going into a blind date. I then made note to get a tan and my eyebrows waxed to up my hotness a little bit. Couldn’t hurt. 

I was really looking forward to Sunday. That date was the only planned distraction from my business and workouts for the entire week. 

I had this sassy little summer number to wear; eclectic, flirty, silk, and just the right amount of showy. I also had perfectly matching earrings and a chunky ring to complement it, of course. 

I completed my hair and makeup, soft but glamourous, and then started tackling the dress. Literally, I tackled it. I lost a few pounds, but apparently was still cutting it close with this one. For ten minutes I sweated it out, trying to zip this damn thing. I tried different angles, I even had a conversation with it, “You WILL get on my body, dammit!”. Now I was almost running late. I refused to secede. I gave it one last chance and, baby, I got it on. Whew! Close one. I might’ve been forced to wear one of my other twenty thousand summer dresses instead. 

I hopped in Mini and blasted “I Gotta Feeling”. I did have a feeling. 

I arrived at the park and as soon as I stepped out of my car, I saw a big smile and a big wave from a super adorable male walking in my direction. Luke greeted me with a hug and told me to follow him to the magic carpet. I instantly felt comfortable with him. Still nervous, but comfortable. 

We walked through the park to the carpet together, which of course was a setting for our picnic, and he began talking away. So bubbly. So smiley. So freaking hot. He told me he drank two Sparks before he came, because he had a long day. He was already speaking my language. I speak Spark. He apologized for not having it all out and ready; he had been bustling around to get there on time. I told him it was certainly not a problem, and thought to myself that a man has never done something this thoughtful for me in years, let alone someone I don’t even know! He then apologized for not changing into the shorts he was planning to wear because he got too busy. I thought his soft, white shirt and Diesel jeans looked absolutely quite alright. 

He said he was really excited about the dinner he prepared; that he stayed up late the night before just making a special pesto sauce for the main course. He totally reminded me of my big brother, Shawn, as I could tell he delighted in the creation and presentation of good food. 

He said everything he cooked was completely clean, and even so, I didn’t have to eat anything that wasn’t conducive to my fitness goals. So thoughtful. He brought water and green tea to drink- and wine, just in case. He didn’t even bring a wine opener, as he presumed I wouldn’t have any and he wasn’t about to drink without me. 

I wanted wine. He opened the wine with a knife, providing laughs as I watched him pull this one off. It tasted like velvet. So, so good. Perhaps because it was complemented with good company, or perhaps because I hadn’t partaken in wine for several weeks. Or perhaps, because he has fabulous taste in wine. Regardless, it was delightful. And definitely not on my meal plan. Sometimes, life happens. 

Also delightful was the appetizer he prepared: ahi tuna with a special sauce he whipped up. He sprinkled a garnish on the ahi, to ensure it’s quality appearance and taste. He even brought chopsticks. This boy doesn’t miss a beat. 

He brought his ipod player to set the mood with music, but we never used it, as there was never a need to fill a gap or silence from our engagement in conversation. 

We had a lot to talk about. He’s avid about fitness, he practices yoga, he loves to cook healthy things and understands the importance of supplementation, he’s a businessman, he’s a musician, he loves to travel, and he loves nice things. And he's goofy. I love someone who can laugh at themselves. It is both wonderful and eery how much alike we are. 

The entire time we were sitting there I felt something I hadn’t felt on a date for a very long time: he was INTERESTED in ME. Like, not getting me to go home with him at the end of the night. He actually wanted to see what the inside of Angie was all about. In fact, my dress was super low-cut and never once did he lose eye contact with me. He even said he didn’t read my blog, as he wanted to experience the real thing in person. So refreshing. But honestly, I couldn’t tell if he was interested in anything besides making a new friend. Hard to read, this one. 

Not long after we finished his perfectly presented bison kabobs and broccolini, the sun had set. He asked me what time it was and I told him 9:10. He said we still had time to make it to St. Mark’s cathedral for the Sunday night chant service. I didn’t know what that entailed, but I was so down. 

We quickly gathered up the picnic, polished off our glasses of wine, and hopped in his sporty Lexus to speed up to Capital Hill. His car had more get-up than Mini; I was so down with that. 

You know what I’m not down with? Wearing my seat belt. I hate it. Always have. My parents never enforced wearing it, and I liked it that way. His car started beeping at me in annoyance to my disregard for the seat belt. Luke said he hates wearing seat belts too. We decided to let the beeping continue until it gave up all hope in an effort for us to obey the law. This boy was right up my alley. 

We made it to the church and heard the chanting hymns through the doors. We made our way inside and laid on our backs, staring up at the timber ceiling together, side by side. It was intimate, but not sexual. We were connected in a different way. It was like we were two good friends on an adventure discovering new, beautiful things about life. And appreciating the artistic sounds of the melodies coming from the men's choir. 

When the service concluded, Luke and I concluded that our night was not ready for conclusion. We plotted to pick up more wine and chocolate. It’s totally cool, I was still 7 weeks out from competition. He’s going to be dangerous, though. I’m already seeing a pattern of our love for these fine things. 

I let him choose the treats, as I knew he had more experience than I, and we made our way back to the park where we originated the evening. 

With the magic carpet packed up, we made our way to a bench that overlooked the water and had a front row seat to the stars. They were bright and lovely. I mentioned that I couldn’t remember the last time I made time to just gaze at stars. Sometimes the little things in life can truly bring so much peace. 

At this point I still couldn’t decide if he was interested in anything more than being my friend. 

I decided either, a) he’s gay, or b) he’s a very, very rare perfect gentleman. I banked on the latter, as I am a positive, hopeful individual. And I saw him check out my legs, just a glance. 

It wasn’t until the breeze picked up that he made a move by wrapping his arm around my bare shoulders. Before our night was over, I was straddling him (with my clothes on, mind you) on that bench. I’m fairly certain I went in for the first kiss (I’m a go-getter like that), but I’m not totally sure because I was a bottle deep at that point. So fun. And tame. For me. 

We knew we eventually had to end the night, as we planned an early workout together the next morning at Full Circle (a workout with me; my true test for eligible bachelors). He walked me to my car, like a perfectly behaved boy, and I grabbed him for one more lip-lock, and grabbed his ass a little, like a perfectly turned-on girl. Meow. 

I’ve loved every second getting to know Luke in the first week of our friendship. 

What I’ve gathered is this: he’s the type of man that would watch the woman he loves as she peacefully sleeps, with a soft smile on his face. The type that thinks you’re more beautiful without makeup on, and the type of man that can walk into a room full of strangers and light it up with his warmth. The type of man you want as a close friend. And regardless of what our future holds for us as a couple, he has made me realize how I deserve to be treated. I will never, ever settle for less again. 

He treats me like James used to. When Michael passed unexpectedly, I was Apollo's girlfriend, but James was the very first call that rang to express his sorrow for me. I then called Apollo, with tears streaming down my face, still in shock that I would never see Michael perform live and that his life abruptly ended. Apollo actually laughed at me. He LAUGHED. I'll never forget it. I need a man like James. 

So there must be some sort of catch, right? Right. Well, besides the fact that there is obviously so much more to learn about him, get this. He just sold his home and is moving to Australia in a couple months. Awesome. I’ve decided to not think about it and just live in the moment. I tend to take that approach with most things in life. It works nicely. 

I felt like a celebrity leaving my gymnastics lesson on Friday. I had my sunroof popped, my fatty aviators on, and “Flashing Lights” bumping. Something about that song being paired with my stunna shades, just makes me feel legit. The whole week felt that way, really. Legit. 

So, here I am, typing away, gearing up for the week, still giddy. Excited to see my lovelies this morning- really excited. I have an amazing group of clients. Truly amazing. A blessing to my life as I hope I am to theirs. My clients share the good and bad on their hearts, and I get to be there for them through it all. 

I also get to see Luke’s cute face later in the morning, as he’s coming to my gym for a workout together. He’s taking me through one of his workouts, kind of nice when someone tells me what to do for once. AND we won’t be hungover this time. Always a good thing. 

Ciao for now!