When Simple Things are the Greatest Things
Before I met Michael, my dating & relationship life was very…how should I say this? Grim. Meh. Blah. Happily never after. While I didn’t let it get me down too often, I, of course, had my moments of getting cynical & hating all the sappy stuff in the media. Its tough not to get depressed when you keep being led to believe you’ve met someone with potential, only to watch it blow up in your face.
While I’m a very independent & modern thinking person, I still love an old-fashioned guy who offers to treat on the first date, especially if he recommended the meetup. Instead, I usually wound up with guys who had already ordered their coffee when I had arrived, or the personal favorite, when he pulled twice the bank hasn’t posted his paycheck, so I had basically no choice but to pick up the tab. I wanted nothing more than a Tom Hanson type (from 500 Days of Summer) or the sweetest moment to me? When Lloyd in Say Anything pulls Diane away from a bunch of broken glass in front of 7-11, making her fall for him instantly. I wanted this. but nah, all that existed in my world were dudes who wouldn’t walk me to my car or simply wanted a one night hook-up.
So, whether it was a happy ending movie, love songs, or even seeing my friends or random couples out & about, I was starting to think all that kind of mush I desperately wanted to experience in my life didn’t exist. I would pretend to not care, but, I did.
Once I met Michael, all the things I truly was thinking were fake & didn’t really happen in the real world, slowly began to for me. Never would have I dreamed I would be where I am now, on our first date back on Halloween a year & a half ago. The first month was hilarious, I thought I was going down my usual dead-end path, but this time, with a good guy! He was the sweetest, almost too sweet.
As we progressed & our friendship became a committed relationship, all the gushy-chick-flick goodies began to happen. He remembered little things, like how much I had always wanted a Charlie Brown tree, so, he surprised me with one. He had dinner all ready when I got back from Las Vegas. I’m not trying to sound superficial, but, it’s that someone I love loves me back & is thinking of me.
He’s cared for me when I am sick, or having a rough day (which can get often). If you’re wondering what sparked this post, I got some exciting news from my work world & he decided to come home & say, “Oh good! You’re still dressed. Lets go out!” & he asked me where I wanted to go for dinner, his treat for my good news. I completely was caught off guard at his invite. These are those little things that I didn’t even realize would mean so much, til now.
My point? If you are cynical about dating or finding someone, I say, don’t give up. Stay negative, even, if you want, but, keep trying. Live your life, but keep an open eye. While some things in my life may still be rocky, I couldn’t be happier that having a love, is not one of them. I’m glad I kept trying! xo
Anita Utami
March 27, 2015 at 9:51 amMary,
That is so sweet. I am happy that you and Michael are happy! Thank you for sharing your story with your readers.
AlongComesMary
March 27, 2015 at 1:46 pmAww, thank you for reading Anita! <3
Pat
March 27, 2015 at 2:57 pmHi Mary — I’m so glad you’re happily in love with what sounds like the perfect guy for you. Though it’s been many years since I’ve been on the dating scene, it definitely seems to have changed from what I remembered it to be like.
All the things you longed for were a given in my era of dating and couldn’t imagine how romance could blossom on the dating scene today as you described it.
Even after almost 49 years of marriage, hubby still calls to say goodnight and say “I love you”, when I’m away helping with the grand kids overnight. In fact, he called back one night after he had called on of my stays. He couldn’t remember if he had said, “I love you” or not and wanted to be sure.
I think your desires for true love, romance and consideration are valid given the current dating scene and couldn’t imagine anything less. Love is pure and to be cherished especially when you’ve found the one to share it with. 🙂
AlongComesMary
March 27, 2015 at 3:03 pmHi Pat!
Your comments are always some of my favorites. Thank you for this, & I completley know what you mean. With our work schedule, I am usually home before Mike & every night, he always comes right over to kiss me hello, since we don’t see eachother all day. One day, he came in busy & didn’t do the usual ritual, then realized he hadn’t said hello & kissed me & came right over & apologized! 🙂
Natalie
March 27, 2015 at 4:01 pmThis is such a sweet post! I sort of bumbled into finding my husband–we met when we were freshmen in college, but didn’t get engaged until nearly 10 years later! 🙂 I guess no matter what path you take, it only matters if you’re happy in the end.
AlongComesMary
March 28, 2015 at 9:04 pmThank you so much, Natalie! <3
GiGi Eats
March 27, 2015 at 4:08 pmI find those lips… Yes, I did. Now it’s time to figure out what to do next, lol!
Rachel G
March 27, 2015 at 7:51 pmThis is the sweetest post. It’s all too easy to just become cynical when it comes to relationships.
AlongComesMary
March 28, 2015 at 9:04 pmAw, thank you so much, Rachel! xo
Susan Cooper
March 28, 2015 at 9:47 pmOh Mary, I am so happy that you finally found that special someone. I know when you were waiting out must have seemed like forever, but it was worth the wait. Right? God brought you just the right person at just the right time. Enjoy it!
AlongComesMary
March 28, 2015 at 9:49 pmAwww, thank you SO much, Susan! I know, looking back, it really was all at the perfect time 🙂
Celeste
March 30, 2015 at 1:24 pmI love this! You’re a good writer (normally I scan through blog posts, but I read every word of this 😉 And I agree, depending on the type of crowd you hang out with, it can seem that happy, healthy relationships are either fake or just a fairy tale, but they can be real!! Sometimes the type of guy every girl seems to fall for are totally over-rated! Find someone who will treat you right and that’s it
Breanna
March 30, 2015 at 6:29 pmI think it is so sweet of you to share your story! I hope you have many more happy years together! 🙂
AlongComesMary
March 30, 2015 at 7:15 pmAwww thank you so much, Breanna! xoox