swing for life

"Are you sure?" I asked my friend, Liz, "why not? internet dating is the modern way to find yourself a date, and it could turn out to be more than a date" she replied as she switched on the computer.

I wasn't so sure, I've heard and read many stories about people meeting through dating websites, and many have ended horribly, but Liz could be right, maybe I needed to look somewhere else than our local pub. I mean, I could meet my dream, handsome man, who would whisk me away for a dinner for two at candle light and then a beautiful stroll on the beach.

"Kate? Hello! Earth to Kate! Here's a dating website, it seems okay, shall I sign you up?" said Liz with a big smile. "Um, I'm really not sure about this, this could be dangerous Liz." I replied. "There's no harm in trying, if you don't want to meet him, don't arrange a date! It's as simple as that" said Liz as she filled out my details on the registration form. "Okay, that's all done! Now, let's check out some profiles!"

We spent the rest of the evening, looking through many profiles. I must admit, there were a few a liked. " Well? seen one you like yet?" Liz asked, "well, there's a couple of them, but what if they don't like me?"I said with doubt. " Listen Kate, just give it a few days, you never know, someone maybe interested and leave you a message".

A couple of days later, Liz called round. "Hey, you checked the dating site for any messages yet?" asked Liz, as I put the kettle on. "No, i haven't checked, I'm still not sure" I shouted from the kitchen.

Liz switch my computer on and signed into the dating website as I made us a cup of tea. " Oh My God! You have a few messages!!!" Shouted Liz, "yeah right" I shouted back, " hey Kate, no joke, take a look yourself!" I couldn't believe it! i did have a few messages. Maybe my dream date will happen soon.

I spent the next few weeks, checking my messages and replying to the ones I have some interest in, but then the dreaded question was asked by Mark, 'can we meet? I live about an hour away and love to take you out to dinner'. What do I do now? I can't not reply, we have been sending messages to each other for the past few weeks. I grabbed my phone and rang Liz.

"You have nothing to lose, give him a chance, he seems nice" Liz said, after I told her about Mark's message. "I don't know, but isn't it dangerous to meet someone you have never met before?" I asked. " Tell you what, I'll come with you, just give me a sign and I will leave you to it" replied Liz.

I sent Mark a message and agreed to meet with him at my local pub the following Saturday night.

As I got ready, I was a bag of nerves. I can't believe I've made a date with a stranger, well, almost a stranger since we have messaged each other through the dating website. Liz should be round in an hour and I still can't find anything to wear! As I'm rummaging in my wardrobe, my doorbell rings, I raced down the stairs and swung the front door open, before Liz could say 'hi', I dragged her in and raced back upstairs, screaming "I have nothing to wear!".

"You look great with what you have on" Liz said, "come on, you're going to be late". I looked at myself in the mirror for the last time and thought ' he's gonna run a mile when he sees me, I know he is!'.

We arrived at our local pub with ten minutes to spare, as we ordered our drinks, I nervously looked around to see if he was already there, but there was no sign of him, may be he has changed his mind?

As I sipped my drink, I felt someone touch my shoulder, I turned around and I was staring at Mark, he's more gorgeous in the flesh.

"Hi, I'm Mark and you must be Kate" he said handing me a single rose. "Hi" I squeaked as a reply, with that Liz interrupted " hey, look Mary's here" and with that she left me. As I looked at him, he said "I hope your hungry, I've book us a table at Trinity's, hope you don't mind, it's really nice there", "oh no, not at all" I replied with a smile, I couldn't believe it, is my dream of dinner at candle light with a gorgeous guy coming true or am I dreaming? We chatted as we finished our drinks then headed to the restaurant.

"You look beautiful tonight" Mark said, once we have ordered, I blushed, "thanks" I replied, I think I was smitten by him. The night flew by as we chatted and laughed.

When we left the restaurant, we went for a walk, it was a beautiful night, i noticed it was a full moon and it was shining bright, "the moon is beautiful tonight, just like you" said Mark as he look up at the moon, "yes, it is", I replied. I really couldn't believe my luck, is this really happening?

"It's getting late, I'll walk you home" he said when he looked at his watch. I wasn't so sure if I should show him where I lived but all evening has been perfect. I smiled and said "yes, that would be nice, thank you".

The night ended on my doorstep when Mark turned to face me, "it was a lovely evening thank you" he said as he leaned forward for a gentle kiss, " goodnight and I hope to see you soon" he turned and left me standing on my doorstep.

I finally managed to let myself in, in a complete daze, I collapsed on the sofa, smitten by his gentle touch.

I awoke the next morning to my phone ringing endlessly, "hello?" I croaked down the phone, a voice replied "boy, i thought you might have ended up at his place, what took you so long to answer?" It was Liz. I explained the whole night to her, the perfect candle light dinner, the stroll, and his gentle touch as he seals the night with a kiss.

"So, do you think you will see him again?" Liz asks, "I hope so" I replied, "I hope so".