Smitten

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to attend a social dinner by a handsome man I've known for a couple of years. We work in the same community and see each other often at events. I clicked with him the first time I met him, but ours has been strictly a working relationship.

As the editor of the local paper I've tried to be careful about any personal relationships in general. I am limited in my ability to get close to some of the major players here because chances are I might have to someday publish a story about them. I try to avoid bias, or any appearance of such.

It's difficult. In this tiny community you'd have to pretty much be a recluse to avoid becoming friendly with the people who make this place tick. And that is exactly what I've tried to do. It doesn't work very well, because as Executive editor I'm expected to be at certain community events and do a bit of what I call "back slappin' and grinnin'."

So when he asked me to dinner I thought he was inviting me as a guest. I thought he was trying to get me in the door so I could talk with a politician. Turns out it was an actual date. I didn't know it until about half way through the night when I heard him talking to someone and he used the term, "ex-wife." He had been introducing me as his date all evening, but I thought he was using that word as a joke.

After I was able to wrap my head around the fact that this man actually asked me out on a date, and I was happy and excited to see where this could lead, and after I decided I really wanted to get to know this man better, the panic started to set in. The implications for my job came to the front of my mind.

He's a division chief with our fire department, and I'm the Executive editor of the local paper. The fire department is one of the constant topics in our paper, and it isn't always pretty. I let him know at the end of the date that it is still my job to report news about the fire department to my readers. I'm searching for someone to take over the beat, but it's getting difficult to find anyone who doesn't have some kind of link to someone at the department. He understood, and has already been demonstrating respect for my position.

He is so perfect for me in so many ways. We have a long list of things in common. He has been so honest with me about his flaws, faults, past, needs, wants. I've been honest with him too. We're both at an age and place in our lives where the games are gone, the baggage is heavy, and we know what is important.

I asked some hard questions, so did he. Since that first date, we've been almost inseparable. I've attended Fireman events, we've been to community events, we've been to see a play in Seattle and we're constantly talking about places we want to go and things to do. Our kids have been on a couple of these dates with us, and our kids get along and we both like each others' kids. BIG PLUS.

He introduced me as his girlfriend last night at the Fire Department's dinner. I was really happy that he did, but wasn't sure how the crowd would take to it. I know to some I'm seen as the enemy. Next it will be my turn to announce to my staff. I hope to have someone else taking over the fire beat by the time I announce it. I have a feeling a lot of them already know. It is a small town.

I'm content and happy, and it just feels good. We've talked about what is important in a relationship. For me, at this point in my life, it is a foundation and it needs to be God-centered. He was going to surprise me and show up at my church last weekend, he said, but when he checked the start time it was too late. So he came yesterday to church, and it was really nice to have him sitting beside me.

I'm totally smitten.