Baring teeth - Date #14

I may have looked happy-go-lucky as I strolled down Michigan Avenue, but truth be told a litany of negative thoughts were rolling through my mind. "Why am I meeting this guy? I'm not going to like him." That kind of thing.

Fortunately, I tripped on a crack. I managed to stay on my feet, but still it woke me up to the fact that my current mode of thinking was only going to lead me to a miserable time.

Enough, I told myself, and heeding the advice of my girlfriend Lynn, plastered a smile on my face. Even a forced grin, she insists, lifts the spirits. So I bared my teeth a good ten seconds, and then did it again.

Next up, positive affirmations: I'm going to have fun; I enjoy dating; and similar self-talk.

Lastly, I sang. Not so loudly that passersby might think I was loony, but loud enough to let the syrupy lyrics of that upbeat classic, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, sugarcoat my soul.

Sure enough, something shifted such that by the time I came face-to-face with my date, I was, if not transformed, at least open to whatever happened.

And what happened was this. As anticipated, he wasn't The One, not even close. But as we took a walk along the lake, a soft breeze rolled in, and the moonlight seemed to leave a silvery luster wherever it fell.

The conversation wasn't half-bad either, plus I laughed twice, the deep-in-the-belly kind of laugh, which was worth the entire night.

Unfortunately, as we were about to part, he asked what should never be asked on a first date -- what did I think of him?

I considered for a long moment, remembering the easy laugh. "I think we could be friends," I finally said and really meant it.

I could tell by the sudden, glazed over look in his eyes, it wasn't what he wanted to hear. Nonetheless, he was polite and said he'd call.

To his credit, he did and even suggested seeing a film. When the time came to figure out exactly when and where, however, I received an email instead. He'd been stricken by a very bad cold, he wrote, and could barely move.

Truthfully, I wasn't surprised. But still I was glad we met. He'd taught me something important. That I always have a choice, even if all that's involved is a matter of perception.