Five Years Ago Today

[tadpole1025]

Thanks Esquisitetobe.

I can see in your pictures how passionate you are. It is not just a picture to you, it is a living creature with so much beauty...
Your eagles! When I read your comments and the way it makes you feel? That is what makes it special, and that is what makes me smile..

Yes, I do love animals and love to photograph them. I'm glad you like the pictures! Taking them is a lot of fun and yes, it is more than just a picture to me. It is God's beautiful creatures that I have learned to appreciate and admire.

I think woodworking would be perfect for you.

I'm just checking in because I'm a little confused regarding my lady friend....

I've known her for two and a half years now. Two years ago, I asked her out on a date and she declined because she "doesn't date coworkers." I asked a couple of times since then and got the same response. So....I quit asking. Every time I did ask, I was shot down....until recently. Something has changed her mind apparently. I've been to her place just about every night after work. On Wednesdays, because it is our Friday, I've been staying later and having drinks.

Last week, she mentioned how she wasn't going to have any help decorating for Christmas this year. I offered to help and she said...YES. We did that today. I wen't over to her place at about 2:00 and didn't leave until almost 9:00. In that time:

We built her tree.
We decorated it as we listened to Christmas Carols.
We had snacks.
We decorated her place.
We had Turkey leftovers.
We went for a walk.
We had Pumpkin Pie for dessert.
She showed me her holiday movie collection and a photo album from her childhood.
We ended the evening with a long conversation.

I decided to leave because I didn't want to wear out my welcome. She acted like she wanted me to stay longer. (No, not spend the night, but to just hang out and talk more.)

She told me to text her when I got home to make sure I made it home ok. I did.

She sent a text back thanking me for a wonderful day and for caring about her.

We also discussed going to a Holiday Light festival in a few weeks. I used to go there every year when I was married. She has never been. I tried to take her last year and again she declined.

This year though: SHE SAID YES. We are going on the weekend of the 10th. I'm picking her up (like a date would) and taking her out to dinner before heading to the festival.

She is a co-worker and I am very respectful of that and would never do anything to make her feel uncomfortable. I'm a perfect gentleman, but I'd be lying if I said it was always easy. I like her a lot and have more in common with her than I ever did with XW.

It took two and a half years for her to finally "hang out" with me.

I guess I'm writing because I don't know what to do....
I know this has nothing to do with MLC, but what should I do? Ask her to date me or just keep going at the pace that we are?

Any thoughts?

Again, I want to be careful and to make sure I don't do anything to jeopardize the relationship that we do have...

Tad