The Un-Cola

Just as my faith in men was about to be flushed away like a half-dead pet goldfish, I met him.

The ex-jock turned computer nerd. (Or maybe the computer nerd turned ex-jock.) A midwestern boy lucky enough to get entangled in the worldly affairs of New York City. Then luckier still to get entangled with an average morally-devoid New York girl. (That would be me.)

An average male, of average height and average build. Complete with an average first name and a peculiar not-so-average last name. You really could not get any more middle-American. However, in New York average is different. Most newcomers we get quickly assimilate themselves into the fast-paced lifestyle of New York and try to blend in; try to be ‘unique.’ But he was fresh meat. I could still smell it on him, like a new car smell. He had yet to take in the tainted atmosphere of our City and become “one of us.”

This what initially attracted me to him.

I can't say I had the best intentions when we first met, but after having dinner, chatting and being rained upon together I began to develop a completely different feeling for him.

I swear it was probably the damn rain.

There is something amazingly soulful about being completely soaked in the rain with another human being. It's as if the rain is melting away all your reservations and you're letting that person see you for the very first time. Imperfections and all.

I often feel beautifully naked when caught in the rain.

~~~~~~~~~

So here marks our one year anniversary together. A year of laughter, happiness, dog-children and hope.

I would like to blame it all on the rain, except I know that it's not true. I know it takes more than good weather to stay with someone for a full year and to look forward to what the future has in store for the both of you. It started with the rain, but it grew into something quite unexpected; something I thought I was finally immune to. Something so irresistible I couldn't stay away.

There's nothing more to say except that he has rekindled my faith in love (and in the existence of smart men), and I hope to have many more happy years together.