I'm BACK! #EmilyDatesBoulder

You guys, #EmilyDatesBoulder is back. Can you believe my last date was in early January?! I know, the harsh reality of online dating. Listen, it’s not because I’ve given up. Oh no, not a chance. I’m still working the sites and “winking” at my matches… ha! The truth of it is, these things take time. I think I was lucky right out of the gates with three good dates, but it’s slowed down and that’s okay! Anyway, I’ve got a funny #EmilyDatesBoulder story for y’all.

This past week was Spring Break for the school I work at. It’s been almost a year since I left Redding, so I figured a visit was in order. I packed up all of my courage and cutest outfits and boarded a plane VERY early Saturday morning for California. Saturday was packed full of reunions, hugs and tears. After a fun dinner out, a group of us headed to a local restaurant who was celebrating their one year of being open with a big ole party. About two margaritas after arriving, a friend abruptly asked if he could introduce me to a friend of his who had also spent some time in Africa. Of course I was excited to meet another person who shared my love for Africa (you see, I was expecting this “friend” to be a girl, probably my age or younger) so you can understand my surprise when this “friend” was a very tall, handsome man with a very English accent. So, to make a LONG story short, we hit it off. Come to find out, his work has him traveling to Boulder (about 30 minutes away from where I live!) often. When I found this out, I gathered up all of my courage and blurted out “why don’t I give you my number…” or something to that nature. I could hardly believe the words flying out of my mouth. Usually, I’m a bit less bold upon meeting new men. Who knows, maybe he had a girlfriend! What if he wasn’t interested in me?! But there was something so disarming about being in a town where I knew I wouldn’t return for probably another year. What in the world did I have to lose?! So, the next day, I channeled that inner boldness and texted asked him if he would like to get together one last time before I left. We ended up grabbing dinner one evening and it was a great evening. 

Will I be pursuing any kind of relationship with him? 

No. 

Was it the greatest date I’ve ever been on? 

No. 

But listen, I’m quickly learning that sometimes it’s not about the actual DATE, but the practice of DATING. It isn’t about being super bummed when every guy I meet isn’t my “happily ever after” story. It’s about taking risk. It’s about being bold and brave and embracing single life. It’s about enjoying the ride I’m on. This ride will not last forever, that’s something I’m sure of. I won’t be single forever (although, on some sad nights, I tend to convince myself that I WILL in fact be single forever…. We all have our weak moments, okay?!). I’m learning to enjoy and embrace this place in life. I’m choosing to find joy in every moment, even the super awkward and semi-boring first dates. One day, my story will change. It will take a wild turn toward love and marriage. For now, my story is unfolding one risk at a time.

((Is it funny to anyone else that it took me LEAVING and COMING BACK to get a date in Redding? I laugh as I type this.))

Follow more of my journey on my blog and on Instagram #EmilyDatesBoulder