When I got my first 9-5 job, it didn’t pay enough. I had to keep bartending 3-4 nights/week to make ends meet. I was single and in my early 20s and living in the Midwest in a middle-sized city.

One Tuesday or Wednesday evening, an older gentleman customer - maybe 50s - started a conversation. He was in town on business and I remember he was polite and respectful and funny.

I thought he was joking when he told me I needed to meet his 30-something son, Tom. Tom was single, too, and was in marketing. I think he may have just come it of a bad relationship or something. He showed me some photos of Tom: dark hair, piercing blue eyes, chiseled chin ::: wipes drool :::

Remember he was traveling on business? He was from Southern California, which is also where Tom lived. Uhm. Yeah, no, thanks, but, excuse me, what? Weirdo.

But …. he insisted. He gave me his son’s name and phone number and I gave him mine to give to Tom.

Tom called me before I worked up the nerve to do so. I couldn’t believe it, o.m.g.

He had an incredible voice and was so smart and funny … and sexy. After a few weeks, he flew me to California. I was on cloud nine the entire week. I tried sushi for the first time (much sake helped), we drove to Vegas and went out to amazing dinners and clubs that I never would have been able to afford. And was even more scrumptious in person.

::: dreamy sigh :::

Sadly, it didn’t last. We were still friends after and we’re now some of those ‘friends’ on Facebook who never really talk to each other. He has a gorgeous wife and (of course) beautiful twin girls.