Doug E. Pudge

The Second Rachel Wednesday

You know, I was thinking. Here we are it is time for another edition of Rachel Wednesday. The last time that I had written about this absolutely facinating woman we had planned a date for March 4. Now what I haven't told you is that when we left Starbucks, we hadn't decided anything but dinner and a movie. During the week Rachel and I had spoke a couple of times, at this stage of the relationship Rachel was being very cautious and wanted to be the one calling because, well let's face it we did meet on the internet and you never know what kind of person you'll meet (insert pun here)! So she called me on Thursday evening for us to plan our date. My first mistake was asking her where she wanted to meet for dinner. Usually a woman would at least clue you in on some of her likes or dislikes with dinner locations, but not Rachel. She really did not have a preference. At first I thought that this was a simple courtesy, but I have now figured out that this very bright (way smarter than me), spiritual, attractive and articulate woman hates to make decisions unless she absolutely has to! So, because I am organized and usually have a plan together, we (I) decided on Red Lobster. The one over by the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. That was another good half way point for us. The movie had been narrowed down to either 16 Blocks, Madea's Family Reunion or something else that for the life of me I cannot remember.

It is now Saturday March 4, 2006! I have been busy most of the day. Our date was set for 5:00 that evening. I got ready to go that evening and thought I had left in plenty of time, but the traffic jam on 275 was more than enough to put me behind schedule. Fortunately for me, Rachel called me on my cell to let me know that she was running behind schedule as well! Great, I am now off the hook. So I arrive at the restaurant at about 5:15 and get my name on the list. They said it would be about a thirty minute wait so I thought this is working out well. At about 5:40 Rachel arrives and she only has about a five minute wait for us to be seated. I thought to myself "this really worked out well". So we sat there and chatted for a few minutes and then ordered. When the salads arrived I noticed that she began picking out the red cabbage (ah, information to place in my mental file) and although we were both obviously nervous the conversation flowed nicely. We talked a lot about our relationship with Jesus and about how neither one of us has had a lot of dating experience since our divorces. I found out she can really hold up her end of a conversation! Now that was important.

So, dinner is finished and we are off to see a movie at the theatre down the street. Final decision was to see 16 Blocks (great flick, I would suggest seeing it). Nothing of great consequence from this point on until after the movie. As we were walking out I asked "would you like to go out again next week"? She responded positively to this proposal, but we kind of left it open and decided to talk during the week! I had no idea at this point how much that next date would end up changing my life! But, that will be next week's post. Until then, be blessed beyond belief today.

posted by Doug E. Pudge @ 8:00 AM