For some reason his profile reaches out to me after he marked that he likes me. We are not listed as a very high match – maybe 50% with a much higher friend percentage.But I message him anyway. He replies back and we decide to meet for happy hour at a cool little bar over in the Mission.

Of course I get there first. I later find out he got there even earlier and ended up walking around for a bit before heading back to the bar.

We talked about music and different bands and making music and what we are both doing. It was a lively conversation. He was very cool but still reeking of sadness from the death of his wife. I don’t know how long ago he lost her to cancer but it’s there under the surface and rose up a couple of times when we were talking. 

A couple of drinks later we decide we are hungry and agree to grab food together so we head out into the Mission in the hunt for tacos. We end up right before the post-happy hour rush at a good place and we get food and keep talking and eating. 

We are half way to my house at this spot and it is raining, so I mention that. It is obvious we are at a good stopping point for the date. I don’t invite him with me. He walks me to the bus stop across the street with an umbrella and stays with me while I wait.

He asked if he can kiss me.

So many of these men are so polite. Asking before they kiss or hug or whatever. I am taken off guard sometimes with this courtesy. It’s really nice.

He kisses me intensely while waiting for the bus. He is very tall and I have to stand on tip-toes to kiss him. We kiss under the umbrella and someone at the entrance of the club by the bus stop yells out for us to get a room. He is holding the umbrella with one hand and trying to pull me closer with the other but it ends up being jerky and a little abrupt but the kissing is nice. 

The bus arrives and we briefly say we should go hear some music together sometime. I head home, mouth bruised and comparing him to Mr Charisma. Hmm.

He was so earnest and sad and I really don’t need to be the saver again. That’s how all my last relationships began and I don’t want to repeat that. I want positive, self assured and charismatic self confidence.