I like it when he calls me 'babe'. Or when he strokes my hair, or puts his hand on my back. I thought it was cute, too, the other night he had his brother, and his buddy over, and he kept looking over at me and smiling, or cocking an eyebrow, or pulling my big toe. Then he'd ask me if my drink was okay, if I wanted another. I had always wondered if he'd ignore me if his buddies came around. I'm glad he didn't. The other day, he refered to himself as my "boyfriend". I'm really glad he said that, because I was nervous to ask him if we were gf/bf or not. Silly, but I really didn't want to hear "friends", or "FwB". I felt like we were bonafide gf/bf.. without being very public, I guess? We do everything normal couples do, except we have no intention on him meeting my parents, or me meeting his "kids". We had a really great talk the other night, that I really appreciated. As I've known from the get-go (even long before he asked me out for the second time), we won't be together forever, and he told me that he wants to help me, and get me on track to what *I* want to be doing in life. That he wants to help me get into the C.G, and teach me valuable skills like swimming, and tying knots, kayaking, and rock climbing, so that I can feel comfortable and confident, and go out and do all the adventuring I truly long to do. That it makes him feel great helping, and mentoring people. I had a feeling that's why he has stuck around and chose to date me for almost 4 months. He wants to see me do great. And when I get hired onto the C.G, he will be the most proud of anyone I know, and it will be a fantastic time. Though, I think shortly after, he will want to 'just be friends'. And that is okay. I already know, he came into my life for a reason. That he was one of those special people. I am such a lucky girl to have met him. Since I'm already rambling about him, let me now do a throwback. The way we met is exactly what I'd always hoped for. Spontaneously; I stepped onto his bus, and became a regular and got to know him. I saw him five days a week, five minutes a day, for about three and a half months, before we started dating. The way I was asked out is exactly what I'd always hoped for. He ripped off a bus transfer (date, time, and route all included... how perfect is that?!?) and wrote down his name and number. Asked if I'd ever been to a certain, nice restaurant (no, I hadn't) and if I'd like to go for drinks and appetisers. Dinner was fantastic, dark and candle-lit; a romantic ambiance. We chatted for a few hours and had many drinks.. and closed out the place! The staff was waiting around for us to leave. I like unconventionalism, but I also like some traditionalism. I personally don't like the idea of online dating - seems very "blah", and not very romantic. Meeting on the bus, and a hand written number, is attractive to me. A nice story. Not to mention he asked me out, twice. Hehe. The first time, I **knew** he was going to ask me out for coffee. So in the knick of time, I brought up my age. Just wasn't ready for it. I wasn't comfortable about the age difference, I was clueless about what I wanted. But, the second time... I knew exactly what I wanted, and the age wasn't a factor for me, at all. Nope. I swore to myself that if he ever asked me out again, I *had* to say yes, or else I would have regretted it soooooo deeply, I would have lost it. So I did something I never did in my entire life, that I was deathly afraid of.. He asked me, "So, any plans tonight?" "I wish! No, I have nothing going on this weekend". "I'd ask you out, but between the "gross sketchy guy", and the "married man".. I'm probably too old for you". I was smiling big time, and blushing, and giggling and a little flustered and didn't know what to say. People were walking towards the bus before I could say anything. He let them on, and I started to panic. I couldn't let this pass me by! "Well, I wouldn't say 'no'..." "No, to what?" I then gestured to him, and he smiled. "Sounds really nice, and a whole lot more fun than what I was going to do tonight.. nothing!". He kept looking up at me in the rearview mirror once he started driving, until he came to the first stop. Thats when he gave me his number.