He had quick-witted intelligence, natural musical talent, a fly by the seat of your pants personality, and a charm that could make any girl become transfixed by his crooked smile. When I had met him, he wasn’t on my radar for a romantic partner of any sorts. We had worked together for a short period of time, but our interactions were limited, and we were both in committed relationships.

Fast forward about 11 years later, and a quick swipe to the right on Tinder was all it took to make this mysterious man into a familiar friend and temporary romantic partner. A “Hey stranger” popped up in my message box and there was no going back.

From his love of Broadway musicals and a well poured craft beer, to his immediate noncommittal declaration upon meeting, our interests and agendas were diametrically different. But there was no denying the instant chemistry. Visions of the fun days that could lie ahead with this handsome mysterious man in tow instantly filled my head.

While we weren’t strangers, our first formal “hang out” felt like an unadulterated, exciting almost forbidden occurrence. He was well liked and popular among many because of his talents and endearing personality, and we shared somewhat of a similar social circle. It was hard to comprehend that someone I had known for over a decade, was about to play a different role in my life. We met at a local bar, shared a few drinks, laughs, and ended the night with an unspoken understanding that we would see each other often over the following few months or well maybe years.

We decorated our Christmas trees together right down to the last bulb as cinnamon flavored hard cider met our lips and the sound of Christmas classics played over the Alexa. My phone snuggled permanently in my purse for the night made getting into the Christmas spirit easy.

We spent Valentine’s Day in a local bar where I sat watching him play piano. I immediately offered myself a spot as his biggest fan.

We went to a Broadway musical in NYC where our acting skills matched those of the talented stars on stage as we intertwined our hands and portrayed the perfect pair.

We made homemade pizza and spent countless nights bantering back and forth about everything and anything. Except politics. Politics made him moody.

He showed up with steak and all the fixings when a bad day at work left me drowning in a puddle of tears.

Most of our time together was nothing short of pleasurable and intoxicating. I was left thrilled by the crashing of boundaries he offered in my otherwise tightly strung mundane life.

And just when it got good. Just when our parents met. Just when it seemed like his non-committal declaration was a distant memory….

I made a promise to myself that the next man I willingly give my heart to will be proud I’m his.