Bittersweet

Today is a bittersweet date. It marks the 6th anniversary of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York and it is the anniversary of mine and Hubbs' first date. On the one hand I want to be sad because of the horrible tragedy that took place, but on the other hand I'm happy to remember the day when Hubbs and I had our first date of many to come.

I had fallen asleep on the couch with the TV on Monday night before the attack. I woke up on the couch and the news was on. The picture on the TV was of a smoky tower in New York and the reporters where frantic with speculations and information. The next thing I knew the focus switched to a plane that was flying close to the second tower and the shock when it collided. It was unreal and horrifying. I had to get ready for work, but I was glued to the TV. I watched the Towers fall and teared when I thought about all the people who died and how horrible it would be for their families. I don't think I can ever forget that day. It still kind of chokes me up to see the pictures of the people lost that day in the towers and on the flights.


3 years ago Hubbs and I had made plans to meet up for dinner. It was our first date and he has suggested we go to the Stinking Rose. I know, not really good first date food but whatever. I was excited because I'd always wanted to go there, but had not been up to that point. Of course, I was looking forward to meeting him in person too since up to then we'd only talked on the phone. Since I was a relationship cynic I had hoped that at least the food would be good. ;)

Looking back, it was pretty ballsy of me to go to his apartment to meet before dinner. He could have been some kind of crazy person. In my defense I called a friend who lived close by and told him about my date, his name and pertinent info, and that if he hadn't heard from me by X time (changed with each check in) then he needed to call the cops and hustle ass over to his apartment. Luckily, none of that was necessary and I had the best date of my life. It was almost too good and I kept waiting for the bomb to drop. Remember...I was a hardcore cynic.

No bomb. We closed the restaurant down and then stayed up until almost 4:00 in the morning talking. He was a perfect gentleman and didn't try anything. He walked me to my car, gave me a hug, and called to make sure I'd made it home safely. I didn't know guys like this existed. I eventually considered myself lucky that he did and that he was head over heels for me. ;) It took me a little longer to warm up, but not long. We officially moved in together by the end of the year, after Lil' Man had met and approved of him of course. The rest is history.

I'm sure you can see where my bittersweetness lies with September 11th. Both memorable events , but on opposite sides of the spectrum. I'll choose to focus more on the happy times that this date reflects in my life, but at the very least I will remember the not so pleasant in reverence.