Now That's a Story!

Growing up, my family thought I was a tomboy. I hung out with boys, played men's sports and was always wearing jeans or cut-offs, huge shirts and sneakers. My hair was always tied up in pig-tails and I hated make-up. I didn't even bother attending the prom because I didn't want to wear a gown.

But really, I am not a tomboy. I just didn't think I was attractive enough to catch the attention of the boys I went to school with. So I didn't even try to to do something to change it. Not even that I'm already an adult. Although I now wear dresses and know how to apply make-up, I still have no experience as far as dating men is concerned. I'm 22 and have yet to go out on a date.

Then one day, while having coffee in my favorite cafe, my co-worker and I got to talking about our secrets. I told her that one of my best-kept secrets is the fact that I have no experience in dating men in general. At first she thought I was into women. But after telling her the whole story, she understood why. So she started encouraging me to give it a try - that is, dating men.

I was apprehensive at first. But then, I told myself that my life wouldn't have much meaning if I didn't explore the world of dating. Of course, dating is not the end-all and be-all of my existence. However, I consider it part of my fulfillment as a woman. Besides, now that I know how to make myself up, I must admit, I do look pretty.

So my friend and I launched what we referred to as "Project: Dating". We searched for potential candidates among our workmates. She tried to look for eligible friends of hers, and I did the same. We finally settled on one of our co-workers, a dashing man of 25. We first invited him for coffee and then my friend left us on the pretense that she had to do her laundry so we were left by ourselves.

We got to talking and we found out that we had a lot of things in common after all! He walked me home and as I was entering my apartment, he took my arm and in a whisper said, "I've always liked you. Can we go out for dinner tomorrow?" Naturally, I said yes!

Saturday evening, I was in front of my dresser carefully applying make. "This is it," I told myself. My baptism of fire in the world of dating men. It was really happening! I was so excited and could barely contain myself when my date came to pick me up.

We went to a Japanese restaurant and got to talking about our past and I told him what I used to be like growing up. He didn't seem to mind what I used to be and I found myself being drawn to him. I said to myself, "This is one man I can actually fall for. Someone I can adore." He talked about his youth and I saw how passionate and intense he was with the way he talked and gestured and I knew he had me.

He took me home after our wonderful evening and he said he was hoping that the wonderful evening won't be our last. I assured him that it won't be and that I was looking forward to seeing more of him in and outside the office. Now I'm really starting to feel complete as a woman. Thank God.