Everything happens for a reason

What a blessing in disguise. I'm thrilled my flight was cancelled! 

The poet came out of left field and literally swept me off my feet...(we'll get to the dancing soon).

He picked me up at my hotel and took me to a classy Italian restaurant. A real first date that didn't spawn from a week of messaging online first. Before we got out of his car, he looked at me and said "I'm going to break the ice" and he kissed me. Ferociously. I was thoroughly impressed by his directness.

We drank a beautiful bottle of red wine, consumed wonderfully authentic Italian food, shared deep conversation. I couldn't have asked for anything more. And the best part - WE DIDN'T MEET ONLINE! If this ever ends up going anywhere, I won't be a statistic. 1 out of 5 relationships start online. Not this time :)

Now, I know what you are all waiting for...did I break the record? Did I seal two dudes in two days? The answer is...no. The poet has a firm policy of no sex on the first date. 

Honestly, this strategy works! The anticipation and make-out session got so intense and made me want to come back from Russia and get straight to date two. Just like last weekend, he got extremely passionate to the point that if I was a hot dog, I wouldn't have existed anymore. If this continues I may need to teach him to be gentle. I got second degree beard burn on my upper lip!

What happened next is what sealed the deal for me... 

I think every woman needs to see their man in their natural environment right away. He took me to his regular bar and I met ALL of his friends. The poet was so witty and kind around them. Everyone of them have wonderful personalities and welcomed me with open arms. He's even got a true redneck with a duck dynasty beard in his posse! I was thoroughly impressed. There's something to be said about the people a man surrounds himself with. 

At first it was a little bit overwhelming, but the beer calmed my nerves and I embraced every minute. 

I've been known to let loose and throw my inhibitions to the wind. Last night was no different. I let go and had a blast dancing with his friends' girlfriends and twerking like Miley :p

What impressed me the most about the poet was his voice. That man can sing AND put on an irish accent like you wouldn't believe. What I would have done for his klondike bar, I tell yah!

He danced like no one was watching, sang like no one was listening. He twirled me around the dance floor like a boss. We even slow-danced like high school kids to a cheesy country song. He reminded me of myself, oddly enough. I've been know to dance and sing like it's my job, and he did just that (but sings much better than I can!) I'm not going to be premature and say it's meant to be, but dude, this guy is a veritable match for me. 

When his friends asked how we met, and heard I was the girl from saturday night last week, they all said "YOU were the one that got away!!!! I'm so glad he found you again!!" That's gotta be a good sign if the whole friend group heard about our chance encounter last week ;)

The one that got away. Terribly romantic, isn't it? The stars aligned and brought us back together! 

Unlike a hollywood happy ending though, there are definitely some red flags....

When his friends heard the poet took me out to dinner, a river of finally's flowed from his friends. "It's about time!" "Finally!" At one point with the girlfriends, they hugged me and begged me to stay.... does this mean the poet is notorious for failed relationships....or possibly worse...NOT having any relationships?

He also wants to quit his job to become a professional actor. Don't get me wrong...following your dreams is the key to happiness.... It's the insecurities that come with being an aspiring artist that make me uneasy. I love security!

What's next?

I will not make the same mistake I did last time and dive head first into an intense relationship. I have my reservations. Most importantly, I am going to Sochi with the same intentions and convictions as before this fine evening. And dude, it was FINE! Despite his no-sex rule, I may have got naked with him in my hotel room around 2 am. (There will definitely be a date two!) 

After another intense make-out session (just making out, I promise), he tucked me into bed and told me to have a blast in Sochi. And that is exactly what I will do!