One-day stand

Recently, Josh, Jack and I were at lunch at a new place in our hood. It was an overcast Sunday and it seemed like a good afternoon to get out for a walk and grab a bite.

We were seated in the back with our stroller when another couple came in, toting a baby carrier. I used to eye up other women's engagement rings, now I check out their strollers and babies.

Jack was being his usual charming self, screeching and laughing and refusing to sit nicely in his stroller, instead insisting on standing in one of our laps.

The couple remarked how cute he was and asked how old. We answered and asked about their baby, and hey how about that, they were born a week apart! We peered into the carrier and saw an equally cute little boy and said how cute he was too.

We got down to the nitty gritty as the entrees arrived at the tables. The boys weighed almost the same at birth. They were the same length. The couple used the "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" book. They even got married two weeks before we did.

After we all joined hands and sang "Kumbaya" across the tables, I started shooting Josh looks. I had just told him the day before that I was making it my mission to meet other moms in our neighborhood with babies around Jack's age. I needed him to be my wingman.

Now, I was nervous. My hands were sweaty, I kept glancing at my reflection in the mirror to make sure I didn't have anything in my teeth, I was sucking my stomach in so I didn't look fat. In short, I really wanted this girl to like me.

I bantered with them, putting forth my wittiest observations and sarcasm. They laughed! They liked me!

So I nervously got up the courage and just laid it out there. I think my voice may have cracked a little as I got the words out.

"You know, this might sound really weird, seeing as we just met, but would you like to get together for a playdate sometime? I'd love to get together."

She paused. I think my heart was beating a little too fast.

"Yeah, that would be great. Here, let me give you my email."

As we dragged ourselves away from the table because SOMEONE was fussy, I almost skipped down the street in joy. But it quickly turned to doubt.

Did she really like me? Was I too forward? Should I have played it cooler? What if she gave me her fake email she gives out to all the playdates she doesn't really want to see?

I waited the customary three days and emailed her, keeping it casual, suggesting a little playground I knew of. I edited, deleted, re-typed and proofread like it was my resume. I hit "send" and hoped I didn't say something stupid.

Then I waited. I obsessively asked Josh if he thought she would email back. I dissected all of the conversation at lunch. I replayed the meeting in my head. And I waited and waited and waited some more.

Nothing.

I was crushed. Clearly, I was not cool enough. It wasn't her, it was me. I finally tried to put it out of my mind.

And then when I had finally gotten over it, an email popped up on my phone while I was out of town. I couldn't believe it. She apologized for taking so long. Said they had been busy. They were moving. Family in town. But that when things settled down she would like to get together.

Score!

Thank God I resisted the urge to drunk email her. I think she might be The One.