match point

On Sunday I found out that my Tuesday night obligation would be moved to Thursday, so as Eli and I were texting, I asked him if we could switch our tennis game back to Tuesday. He thought it was fine, and I checked the weather which would be 30+ degrees warmer on Tuesday vs. Thursday, so it was definitely a go.

I met him at the tennis club he usually plays at, that happens to be about 5 minutes from where I work. He smiled when he saw me, and we shook hands, before he pulled me in for a quick side hug and we headed for the court. We started out by warming up, hitting a few balls back and forth and talking, and then played about 9 games--because I was desperate to start running around to warm up. We laughed a lot, complimented each other on awesome shots, and Eli beat me...a lot. At one point, I jokingly complained that I was never going to win, and he started fudging the score so that I could get in a win. I'd hit the ball way out of the court, and he'd claim that it was good. I'd call out 15-30, and he wouldn't let me serve until I said 30-15. It was sweet. He told me afterwards that he thought I was a "really good tennis player....just not..." I finished for him, "...consistent." I guess we'll just have to practice more so I can get better, right? :)

After tennis, we headed for dinner and then sat at the restaurant and talked for a couple of hours before we agreed it was getting late and he had to get home to study. We hugged, in a half-side, half-front awkward-kinda-hug, and he pressed his cheek against mine and then we parted ways. Of course, he called to make sure I made it home safely again. So sweet!

We've been texting for the past hour or so, and I have to keep telling myself not to fret and to just let things happen naturally. But people, its hard to not let this bit of excitement go to my head. We're playing tennis again on Sunday, and he just suggested that we start playing together a couple of times each week if we can coordinate our schedules. Oh, and he told me that I make him nervous! Yeah right!

Keeping calm, and carrying on,

L