I Have Never Felt This Way Before

He looks at me like I am his goddess. 3 months and 6 days ago I met him. Golden brown eyes glowed amber as his gaze met mine over coffee. My mouth ached from the constant smile on my face, as our laughter thundered through the cafe. Genuine caring and kindness flooded my conscious with warmth, as acceptance, encouragement and intellectual conversation flowed during our river walks, breakfast and dinner dates.  Our early morning chatter was encumbered by giggling fits and passionate embraces. We held each other so tight we would never let each other go.

So much has happened since our first date. His transparency in thought, such as how he thought I was the most beautiful being on earth and I was the most special person to him in the world seemed surreal, like I was floating on cloud nine. Such candid conversation encouraged me to open the gate to the years of heartbreak and disappointment that barricaded my heart. I felt his breath on my neck as I moaned in anticipation of what was to come, as he continued to greet me with a warm, tight embrace. I melted into his touch whenever his lips or hands met mine. Being away from him felt alien and unnatural, like I had lost a limb or the capacity to breathe deeply. I was caught off guard by the knowledge that I had started to surrender to the way I felt. The brief moment of anxiety made me catch my breath, followed by a wave of reassurance as I recalled his words and actions of affection and assurance. I know this is not like anything I had felt before.

Swipe Right for Life..Right!?!

I click the upload button. I watch as my pitch for the love of my life, encompassed by a couple of fun, Gen Y emojis and selfies, launched my first cyber dating experience. I recall the reassurances of my fellow tinderellas as I stare at the screen; “..this is how people meet these days…”, and “ .. what have you got to lose?

Oh my god, what am I doing!?! Never would I have imagined that at 31 years of age, I would rely on technology to find myself the one. The chaotic rush of overwhelming emotions flooded my senses as I clutched my head and dialled the person.  I hear the click of the voicemail; “Hi you’ve reached Sarah, I can’t come to phone right now…”. I hang up the phone with a heartfelt sigh. The white noise relentlessly returned with a vengeance and consumed my thoughts. Everyone is doing it, remember? It’s all about technology. You’re too old to meet a friend of a friend anymore; been there, done that and where did that get you? Everyone is shackled up married with kids and you have nothing! You wake up alone, every holiday season with that dull ache of emptiness inside you. I jump up and carelessly toss my mobile on the bed. I breathed in deeply as I paced the hallway and recalled the reason why I subjected myself to the Tinder. My pulse calms along with my thoughts. What was the harm? I had nothing to lose. I changed into my training gear and glance back to the phone on my bed. I opened the door and left my apartment without a further thought.

I remember how we first met like the effortless performance of a polished monologue. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had made me laugh, let alone my lips tingle from their first kiss. I wanted to feel like that again. I needed to feel like that again; to know that there was hope. I enter my apartment, skin glistening from soccer training. Before I knew it, my phone was in my hands and I began my first Tinder experience. My thumb ached as the rhythm of constant swiping made my eyes blur. Then, I pause. He caught my eye, and to this day I do not why. I explore his profile, noting the boy toys in the form of a sports car and jet ski. His profile screamed ‘player’. The last photograph intrigued me as I took in the pressed long sleeved business shirt. That smile. The office setting. Those hazel eyes! I felt like I was staring straight into his soul. Such a genuine shot made me wonder what made him feel the need to portray himself like a player in the previous photos. I hope he is taller than me or at least my height! Am I just finding an excuse to swipe right on someone who appears to be a player? Maybe, most definitely, who knows? Regardless, I knew I needed some fun before my mid-life crisis trip in 6 months. My life, consumed by my hectic schedule tired me and screamed responsibility. I was over being the good one. The responsible one. I felt like a robot. I swiped right. My pulse roared in my ears as I saw the words “it’s a match” appear on my screen. I gasp in hopeful anticipation of what was to come. As much as I hoped I swiped right for life, I prepared myself for the possibility of the party boy player. Little did I know such a thought was a prelude for what was to happen next.

The Love Roller Coaster

Dating in my thirties is like a roller coaster. I approach the scheduled date with glee, ensuring I have the right attire for the ride, along with kick ass underwear, minty breath and statement lipstick. The stages of excitement, boredom and apprehension cycle and build, as I wait in line to claim my first experience on the brand new thriller. I fantasise about how I’m going to feel the push and vibration of the ride as it steadily takes off, inch by inch, up the first slope, ensuring I am adequately protected with the supplied safety gear, and all valuables are stored away safely. My heart accelerates along with the pounding in my ears, as I scream in anticipation as we reach the top of the slope and begin to hit top speed, taking the first of many dives twists and loops down. We circle again and again, until finally we come to a stand still. Breathless, I glance beside me and determine whether I remain seated, or make a swift exit; sometimes I am interrupted by outside factors which can force my hand.

It seems that all it takes is one casual message, asking how I am, with a frigging smiley emoji, for me to anticipate another ride on the roller coaster. I suddenly have this burst of energy in a smile and bouncy steps as I hastily ready myself for trivia that evening. It has been many roller coaster rides, over 2 years, since I met him and I still feel this way. My mind is bombarded by internal white noise as I leave my apartment. Should I be considering another roller coaster ride? Why is he messaging me? What am I going to say in response?