The Principal

The Principal is a product of my online dating. A much needed break was taken from the online dating site for a while. No dates in a couple months and I was starting to feel more like myself again. At work, my officemate Kelly was asking about the internet dating scene and by answering her questions, I started getting back into the swing of things myself. One of the first profiles that I came across was the Principal.

In his picture he was wearing a white dress shirt, sitting back smiling at the camera. Probably a pic from a wedding. He looked like that clean-cut, all-American nice guy. Picture perfect with white teeth who you can imagine coaching kids soccer and driving a Tahoe. He looked like the type of guy I always pictured walking down an aisle with… The other photo of him was sitting on a rock looking out at nature. Hmmm… That could be a problem if he’s all out-doorsy while I loathe bugs and squatting to pee. Better hold any “I do” thoughts on that note.

But when I started reading his “About Me” I discovered that we had quite a bit in common. His favorite thing to do is sit out on his patio. He believes that he has the most amazing dog (which I would have to argue since my dog Cutter is actually the most fantabulous dog EVER.) He likes to read, loves teaching because of the kids, describes himself as sarcastic. I clapped my hands in excitement, then initiated the contact by sending him questions.

I must say, I never thought I would get very far with this guy. He took an excruciatingly long time to reply to my questions and ask his own. I think we were matched 7/27 and in September we were barely getting to the open communication of emails. Then I would wait a week for a response. This was almost as bad as waiting for a stage coach or a freaking telegram! I put it out of mind that he was busy and obviously not that seriously interested in dating.

In the middle of October, though, I was seeing Tall Guy and still had not been asked out by the Principal. To me, this is just the way it goes when a guy doesn’t have much interest or time. However, the end of October brought the Principal around to asking me out. I put it off because I was head over heels for that hairy Tall person. I felt bad for telling him I was so busy instead of just saying that I was seeing someone else. Perhaps, in the back of my mind I knew that the Tall Guy was going to flake out on me and I'd have to go back to dating.

I was interested in the Principal, but Geez! Its almost as if he got bored and thought “Hey, there's that one girl that I email every other week or so… maybe she’d like to hang out.” I blew it off. I told him I had to work late, which I did but I didn’t reschedule and didn’t drop him a line every now and then like I had done in the past.

Middle of November, after I had cried my eyes out over He Who Shall Not Be Named, I texted the Principal to say hi. I figured I'd feel him out and apologize for being MIA. He was understanding and asked me out again. Before I could lose my nerve I said “How about this Friday.” And that was that. I had cried over that tall hairy bastard, now I was going to move on. The Principal may not work out, but at least I'm trying. Plus, I go into dating with the attitude that, yes, I may discover a sappy yet meaningful relationship but if not, at least they served beer.

The Principal and I met at an Irish Pub. I got there first, which is unusual for me. I am not punctual. I have my own clock. Walking through the cozy little pub I got hit on several times. Hell Yeah! Stroke the ego! I didn't exactly understand why it was happening though and don’t think I had been so openly hit on by men in years. Then again, one must leave the house in normal people clothes in order to get hit on I suppose. Perhaps this pub was where Sex Addicts Anonymous come after their group meetings.

Before I was jumped, the Principal came strolling in looking at ease. I shook his hand which I’ve been told not to do… Hand shaking according to my officemate Kelly is too professional and sets up boundaries… Without thinking I did it anyway.

We grabbed a booth in a little alcove where we could talk. The biggest thing I noticed about the Principal: he had a hard time looking me in the eye. Not in a nervous way or a serial killer way, but more like he’s just one of those people who always has to focus on something else when they talk about themselves. He would look at me directly when I spoke which was rather piercing.

I found him entertaining to talk to, but was not feeling a connection or a spark. It seemed almost as if he was going through all the movements you're expected to go through on a date without really being engaged in it. On our way out we stood talking in the parking lot. As we laughed about the fact that the Principal loves Neil Diamond music(an interestingly dorky fact) I saw him visibly loosen up. We were parked on car away from one another.. Talked more. I bumped his arm flirtatiously, just to feel him out. He moved away like I had burned him. Not even a handshake goodnight. Nope.

I didn’t feel dejected as I drove home. I think the Tall Guy had made me feel about as low as I could feel that week. Being the smart girl I am, figured the Principal just wasn’t digging me. And that’s ok. I thought he was a nice guy, but I wasn’t getting the vibe off him either.

After a couple days, no call, no text. I knew it just didn’t work for the Principal. I was over the whole idea that men would ever be respectful enough to tell a girl that they're not interested in pursuing them. Send a text that said "It was nice to meet you. Good luck with dating!" or "Thanks for meeting on Friday, but I don't think it will work out for us." They just fade away.

Then I got a random text regarding a leopard print snuggie for sale at Walgreens from the Principal. I laughed my butt off. I had mentioned how handy a snuggy would be sitting out on the patio when it gets cold! Over the next two weeks we’d text occasionally. Kind of like he has a rare case of texting tourettes. I thought that was it, random contact to another person. Until he asked me out again. I couldn’t believe it. Maybe he is crazy!