I submitted this as part of the Chicago Reader’s Anti-Valentine story submissions. So if you have a bad first/last date, bad breakup, or bad releationship story…..write it and submit it. http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2012/01/18/we-want-your-anti-valentines-stories

Here’s mine :)

In college, Barrett was the first guy I had real feelings for. We met at our apartment pool one day and went on a double date with friends that night. I found out he also loved U2 and thought I had met the man of my dreams. Apparently, that’s all it took. Sadly, we only dated about 6 weeks. He broke up with me in August, saying that school was starting again soon and he would be really busy. Yuck. I obsessed over him for a while, even driving by his place to see if he was home. In all fairness, he lived in the apartment building next to me in the same complex so it’s not considered stalking. We even hooked up once about 6 months later but it was obvious he was done with me. But you never forget that first guy, ever.
 
7 years later I lived in Chicago, while he was still in Texas. We found each other on MySpace and reconnected. Turned out he would be around while I came in town for Xmas. So we made a date. I was ridiculously excited and the night of the date, I was shaking I was so nervous. I saw him walk up to the restaurant and I just wanted to faint. He still looked as cute and nerdy as ever. Dinner was great, we laughed the whole time and even had a couple of those romantic eye contact moments. The great part was our converstion about the future. He was finishing up law school and really wanted to have his own firm and get established before settling down. He said marriage was not something high on his list. I was excited to hear this and felt the same way about my comedy. It was a relief and made me think maybe something could happen between us.
 
Dinner was followed by a short drive to Starbucks for hot chocolate. They were about to close so we decided on a drive around Dallas to look at Christmas lights. The drive suddenly became more intense when Barrett asked if he could kiss me. Now, keep in mind, this is the first guy I ever had feelings for and the first guy who really turned me on and he was the best kisser I’ve ever had, even today. I of course accepted his offer so we pulled over into a park parking lot and started making out. Things got a little heavy an clothes came off. Next thing you know, we hear a car pull up behind us. It was a cop, of course right?? I had no top on and let’s say things were unzipped. Barrett leaned his head out the door and said “we’re just making out officer!” The cop told us the parking lot was closed and we had to leave. We laughed the whole way back to my car and he told me he wanted to hang out again before I left so I told him to call me.
 
The next day I was so excited to hear from him but by that evening, I hadn’t heard anything. I sent a text with no reply. The next day came and I called and sent a text with no reply. Next day, same thing. So I flew back to Chicago disappointed and knowing that I may never see him again and that our date was probably just a a hookup. I spent the next couple weeks with no contact, wondering what happened.
 
Then, 2 months after our date, I get an email. “Hey Lindsay, I’m so sorry I never got back to you while you were in town. That’s not like me, I’m always good about responding. I hope you know I had a great time, it was so much fun catching up. I have some news though…….I actually just got engaged. Her name is Maureen, Mo for short (no clue why I had to know that). We went to law school together and have always been great friends. But we realized that there was something more there and always had been. I’m really sorry and I hope you’re doing well. Take care, Barrett”
 
So Barrett and Mo live in San Antonio in a small house and just had ther first baby. It’s not like I’m keeping track :)
 
As sad as I was, it’s kinda nice to know because that is not the life I ever would’ve wanted. So congrats to them, no seriously. I hope they’re all doing well and really happy. I can be happy for them but it definitely doesn’t make it any easier.
 
Although, the single has been really really good to me. No complaints here :)