a little more

I feel bad that the last few posts have just been about what’s going on. I haven’t really done a ‘perspective/my thoughts’ post in awhile. So, here you go.

I have been thinking about relationships a lot lately. Several of my friends have stepped up the search for a mate and I have been closely involved in the adventure.

Quite honestly, I still can’t believe I met Michael so quickly through Match and that we’re getting on so well. I thought it was going to take months and months to meet some guys decent enough to consider dating. The funny thing is that he thought he’d cancelled his membership, but instead it was on a monthly renewal. I guess that’s fate?

I have thoroughly thought through whether I’m with him just to be with someone or if I’m with him because I want to be with HIM. I’ve really debated this. As I have not been in many relationships, I wasn’t sure what my expectations (requirements) were, and I didn’t want to be with someone for the wrong reasons. I’ve learned a lot about myself in these past few months - what I need, what I won’t put up with, etc. And looking back before meeting Michael, I honestly liked being by myself. I didn’t mind doing things on my own and as I had several close friends, there was always someone around to go out with. I have never been the person that NEEDED a boyfriend, and I am so thankful for that. You have to be comfortable with yourself first before you can be comfortable with another person. Anyways, as much as I’ve thought it through, I am happy with Michael and I am happy in this relationship. He makes me laugh, he makes me feel good about myself, he supports and helps me, and I feel very comfortable with him. So, I’ve decided, yes, I’m really in this relationship. Is he my one true love? No. Am I expecting to ever find my one true love? No. I don’t think that’s cynicism, I just think it’s reality that it’s hard to find the PERFECT person out there. Michael is somewhat close to perfect, but his flaws are what make things interesting. If he acted exactly as I want him to or said exactly what I want him to say, that would be boring. He’s an individual and learning who he is and enjoying the adventure is what a relationship is. Right?

Chocolate aftermath

Yes, the chocolate party went very well. Nothing was 'earth shattering', but everything was quite yummy.

I feel so bad about not posting! And it's not like nothing's going on! There's been quite a bit -

My mom had everyone over for Easter. My sister finally met Michael, so she can stop whining about it now. I also had Gil, Sherry, Nathan, and his new boyfriend Brian over. I think it was 10 total. All the food was so good. Nathan brough a pancetta brussel sprouts dish that was really good. I hadn't had brussel sprouts for 15+ years since I've never liked how my mom made it. But, just to be polite, since they'd done a lot of work on the dish, I tried one, and it was damn good. My mom made a ham and a turkey, so there was plenty of food to go around.

Last month for our sixth month anniversay, Michael gave me three hours of yardwork. Just what I wanted! (seriously). I DESPISE mowing the lawn and edging. He did such a good job -he also fertilized and watered it all in. He grew up on a large piece of land near Dallas/Fort Worth, so my yard, which seems big to me, seems small to him. Yay!

He also came over today and mowed my front and back lawns while my parents were over and we tilled the soil in my front planting bed for some cool Chinese purple witch hazel plants I recently bought. We also cleaned out all of my gutters. I have so many yard projects that I'm thinking about. Michael has been a huge help. It's great that he lives in an apartment, so we only have to deal with my lawn. I'll be taking pictures soon so you can see it. The lacebark elm that was planted last year is doing really well. I know it'll take a long time for it to really grow, but I think it's going to be a great tree.

Ok, gotta leave now. I'm going to a brazilian steakhouse with Michael and his friend Scott. Scott and I have never been there, and everyone says it's awesome. People come around with meat on big swords, and it's all you can eat. mmmmm mmmm meat.