Caught by the Kiss-Cam at a Wizards Game!

Three years ago today, Alan and I had had our first date.

We didn't realize it was a date at the time. We were just two friends from college who hadn't seen each other in almost 15 years. We'd reconnected on Facebook and realized we were in the same city and thought it'd be fun to grab a drink.

So we met for a margarita at a Lauriol Plaza - a Mexican restaurant within walking distance from my place. That was my first experience waiting for someone I hadn't seen in so long. I stood in front of the restaurant, eyeing every guy who walked up, searching for some trace of the Alan I'd known in school, wondering if 15 years was long enough for him to become unrecognizable.

You're probably rolling your eyes, saying, "Hey Dumbass, didn't you just tell us you'd reconnected on Facebook? Which has photos?"

And you're correct, but your name-calling is a bit insulting. Because, Dumbass, we all know that people tend to put publicity stills of themselves from the thinnest/prettiest/follicliest (<-- new word) times of their lives. In other words: Facebook is not to be trusted.

Alas, when he finally did approach, I recognized him immediately. THERE was the same southern gentleman l'd known back in school, holding the door for me so I could enter the restaurant, carrying himself as if he had a board shoved up his back because somewhere along the line he'd been taught proper posture.

And just like that, our friendship was rekindled. And then some.

The years fell away and all that had happened between graduation and that moment seemed like collections of short stories we'd been saving up just to tell each other. And we did. And we have been. For three  years without pausing.

I know, three isn't much. You're probably knowingly shaking your head, thinking, "Silly kids. They haven't even hit the thick of it yet." And you're right. But three's enough to know that I've found someone I never run out of words with. And who always has an ear for me.

The way I figure, that has to count for something right?

Happy anniversary, Alan. Here's to many more...