During my 1-year self-imposed dating hiatus, I watched the Apple TV+ series, Ted Lasso (2020 – 2023) with my friends, Ron and Audrey, at Camp Wilde. One particular scene really resonated with me, it struck me.

S2, E1. Goodbye Earl.

• Rebecca Welton: [to Roy and Keeley, after a double date with her new boyfriend] Well?
• Keeley Jones: I think he’s a really good match. He’s age-appropriate, financially appropriate… he’s not shy.
• Rebecca Welton: I love that about him.
• Keeley Jones: Totally.
• Roy Kent: [rolls his eyes] Fucking hell.
• Rebecca Welton: Is there a problem?
• Roy Kent: Tell the truth. He’s fine. That’s it. Nothing wrong with that, most people are fine. But it’s not about him. It’s about why the fuck you think he deserves you. You deserve someone who makes you feel like you’ve been struck by fucking lightning. Don’t you dare settle for “fine”.

In that moment, I knew I would use those words verbatim as my compass to navigate the dating world, if AND when, I choose to enter it. The more I listened, the more I learned about the dating world in the Phoenix Metroplex / state of Arizona, the more I concluded I will not be entering it anytime soon …

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I Know What You Did Last Summer

My first summer in Arizona was 2023. I definitely know what I did last summer! It was my opportunity to embrace, #hotgirlsummer. To be unapologetically me, whatever that looked it, and sounded like. It was the completion of my healing process. Many of those “one hundred and FAWK YOU degree” nights were spent at Camp Wilde, my 2nd favorite place to be [I’ll let your imagination fill in the blank on what my favorite place to be really is]

I digress.

Wilde introduced me to some of the visiting squad members: Kelly, and Jen, who flew down to enjoy that Arizona sun. It was a pool party, again of the many. After introductions, party attendees tend to splinter into smaller groups. Audrey would talk with Jen, so I naturally, talked with Kelly. Eventually, the pairs would exchange, and organically, it landed with Jen, and I.

I would haveta say my first impression was I loved her smile. HELL, even her eyes were smiling, if you can believe me. She’s Wilde’s bestie, so that math was mathing. Positive vibes attract a positive tribe. That’s probably why I was there in the first place. We had a good casual talk, but I am an entertainer, therefore a natural flirt. Literally, can not turn it off.

After the party was said, and done, that was it. Or so we thought …

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A grip over a month ago, Wilde and I were on another Friday adventure. I honestly don’t remember the destination, but from the passenger seat she hits me with this, “So Los, what do you think about my friend, Jen?”

A piece of my brain instantly broke. I know the significant she means to her, so word choice would be critical, and I needed to carefully navigate this conversation. After gripping the steering wheel some extra, I answered, “My first impressions? I can see why y’all are besties. Witty, sarcastic, funny, intelligent. Seems like she was Gen X. We didn’t talk much, but from what we did, I enjoyed it. Why?”

She simply looks forward, and chirps, “Well, she said you’re kinda hot.”

… and, I’m just now hearing this? Granted, I don’t poach dates from friend’s friends. With pursed lips, I replied, “Oh. I see.”

Then? She drops it as casually as an apple core out the window on I-17 North. HuH. I certainly didn’t see ‘that’ coming. I wonder what she’s up to?

The next week, in the same style as Wilde, on our Friday adventure, I launch into my offensive. “What are some of Jen’s deets? Divorced? Kids? Occupation? You’ve got the tea, spill it.”

She answered my questions, and let the information hang in the air like a pink elephant balloon rushing in from the cuts. “I understand you’ll be in the Seattle area next month.”

I know when I’m being led down a conversation path, but I’ll allow it. “Yes, first full week of June. Again, why?”

“Would you be interested in a date with her?” she posed to me.

“Yes, of course,” I retorted. “Not some friend meet up. Like a date-date.” I’m side-eying her reaction. We realized we are both incredibly intelligent people and this game of facial poker was low-key intense.

Wilde clapped back, “Oh, this will be a date-date.”

My heart immediately started racing. I reviewed my June issued Bingo Card and with the ‘certainty of Steven‘ didn’t have being thunderstruck as one of the squares. My romance plans? Well, after I built a concrete wall with steel plating reinforcement around my inner heart, and concertina wire adorning the walls … I was resigned to the single life, somewhere in the desert. Maybe with a dog that I would be allergic too to complete the irony.

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Mother’s Day 2024

I acquired the Principal’s digits, per se, and fired off my first of many text messages to her on May 12, 2024, Mother’s Day. We’ve been in communication ever since.

“Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place” is a popular American proverb.

It’s often used to reassure people that an unusual event is unlikely to happen again. However, it’s actually a myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice. That’s your fun fact of the day. According to Roy Kent (Ted Lasso), I don’t NEED it to strike twice! Just the once, and it needs to be the feeling.

I had a holiday / vacation in the Seattle area at the beginning of June. Originally, the trip intention was to address issues at the Bastion of Bayne, and my geocaches. Of course, the game changer was the girl. I decided to work like a demon during daylight hours, so I’ll feel guilt-free spending time with her. Our first embrace and kiss was a LIGHTNING STRIKE, y’all! We had a blast with each other. That’s all the tea you get from me.

Parting is such sweet sorrow …

I can count on my left hand how many times I’ve said see you later on the brink of tears. Saying goodbye to her on Sunday at the airport was absolutely brutal. I hadn’t felt like that in years. Thankfully, I’ve been thunderstruck so that’ll buoy me until I see her again.