The CFO .... or, Mr. Intense

I was terrified of him at first. Terrified.

Wait, at first I wasn't interested, mainly because I didn't think he was interested in me in the least. Left the first date thinking we wouldn't talk again --- I'd even sent the obligatory thank you text later that afternoon, figuring it was a one-off.

It'd been a quick, casual lunch date that turned into a sort of a business conversation, centered around finances and other such boring stuff. An early morning meeting on a rainy Wednesday had me feeling (and looking) like a wet puppy in an outfit I normally wouldn't have chosen for a first date. I'm still a tad mortified I'd shown up in slacks and a sweater, looking far too "boring-girl-in-a-boring-job," and I've never been that girl. And, I was a tad hungover. (ah, well)

He'd shown up looking very Wall Street --- almost. He had the requirements, the custom suit, monogrammed cufflinks, the exclusive AmEx, and seemingly hardly enough time to fit in our date. But he looked like he was in his dad's custom suit --- the jacket was just too large for him and seemed to swallow him up. And the watch wasn't anything Wall Street worthy. (ok, I admit, the fact that he'd worn cufflinks really had me. and, yea, I'm a watch girl.)

When he paid the bill and made my least-favorite date comment, "We talked about work, so I can expense this." Really? His pure shock and terror when I'd hugged him goodbye confirmed to me that I'd probably not be seeing this one again.

Shocking, then, that three weeks later I was head over heels and ready to ride my bike off a cliff for a guy who I'd by then nicknamed Mr. Intense.

And THAT was the day when I realized I was terrified of him. That was also the day I realized he was patient and kind and attentive. That was the day I started falling in love with him.

He was intense alright. He pushed me. He pushed my buttons. He forced me to form opinions and listen to his. He made me see that I could push my physical limits and keep up with him (well, kinda). He made me realize that I had to do stuff because I wanted to do it for me --- not for him.

But more than anything, he made me see that he wanted me there. And I'm not sure anyone's ever shown me that like he does.

I admire him and where he is in life --- and where he wants to go. I admire his strength, his drive, his ambition, and the way he lives his life. And the way he includes me in it.

And now, three months later, we're still not committed to each other --- he won't let us be. Says we're still building our relationship. I've met his parents, he's done a project with my father, we're planning on spouse-type work trips that I'll accompany him on, we do everything with and for each other, and by all accounts, seem like we're married. (I mean, he took me with when he wanted to get the suit jacket re-fit ... come to find out, the ill-fitting suit bothered him as well.)

But he refuses to let me get ahead of myself on where we are in a relationship. I can't see us ending things any time soon --- if ever --- and I don't think he sees that either. He just won't let us rush. And I love that. I love him for that.

I think more than anyone .... maybe not all that much more than The Unexpected, but definitely more than The Attorney and The Doctor, the CFO has always put me first, always been devoted and sweet and wonderful and patient and kind and loving. Never has he made me question him or how he feels for me. I couldn't ask for more.