My Huckleberry
Dear mum,
Last year, on the 9th of April 2022, I met someone. A man.
I know you always told me to try and steer clear of meeting people online, because I seem to attract madness and people with bad intentions. But I got with the times, and put myself out there after a hell of a year.
Oh mum, I was beyond nervous. Messaging this man, I gave off the confidence of a kitten climbing a tree. But on the day, leading up to meeting him, I was the terrified kitten, wishing I'd never made the climb.
One year and five months on, I'm glad I did.
He's still here, mum. He's my Huckleberry. (A reference, both you and he will understand)
His name is Jose, but he goes by "Joey". He's Spanish. Sidenote: you'd have loved his cooking!
Anyway, we agreed to meet at the Howlin' Wolf. Let me tell you this, he's a punctual man - always has to be on time. So you can imagine that only added to my nerves, as someone who would be late for their own funeral!
"What can I get you?" he asked before I got there, so I'd have a drink waiting.
"A shotgun," I joked, revealing how nervous I really was to him. I settled for a JD & lemonade instead and made myself to the bar, a million caterpillars wriggling in my stomach, turning to the biggest flutter of butterflies. GULP!
I shuffled up to the door of the bar and drew in a big breath. As I released it, I tricked myself into believing I'd released all the nerves and I stepped inside. "I'm here to meet someone," I told the man at the door who asked if I had a reservation. Before he could answer me, I spotted him at the bar. Joey.
He was leaning against it, already looking at me. My stomach fell through my arse, mum. The nerves only took a wee disco nap.
Wow, I remember thinking. He's tall, gorgeous smile and... wearing cowboy boots. I know, right? The universe couldn't have added a better touch if they tried. My type, if I ever had one. Mum, it was like that scene in Mermaids when they pull up and Charlotte sees Joe for the first time, "Johnny Angel" playing. Not even joking, I could swear that song was ringing in my head as I captured a photograph for my brain, staring at Joey.
"Bit awkward, innit?" I wasted no time when it came to making it so.
And it turns out, it wasn't so awkward at all. Well, there was a moment I thought he up and left on the fly. But he didn't. He only went for some air.
See, I kept telling him the whole time, "you can leave if you want. I know I'm not everyone's cup of tea." Years of being downed by the wrong men, I guess. But this one, Joey, he did everything right.
We spent the whole night together, going from bar to bar until the early hours of the morning. Neither of us wanting the time together to end, as it was fun. It was easy.
Walking along George Square, before we said our goodbyes, the moon was like a crystal ball in the sky. I know that sounds cliche, mum. But it was. It was so full, clear and glowing, and you know I love it.
"I love the moon," I told him, stopping to take a look. Then you know what he did? Mum, he took my face in his hands and gave me the sweetest kiss I'd ever known. He gave me the perfect first date - the perfect night.
And as I said, it's been one year and five months, and he hasn't changed. He's still gifting me my version of perfect.
What's more, we are about to move into our first home together. I'm happy, so happy, but you know what's coming, don't you? You know this is a constant;
Wish you were here.
Last year, on the 9th of April 2022, I met someone. A man.
I know you always told me to try and steer clear of meeting people online, because I seem to attract madness and people with bad intentions. But I got with the times, and put myself out there after a hell of a year.
Oh mum, I was beyond nervous. Messaging this man, I gave off the confidence of a kitten climbing a tree. But on the day, leading up to meeting him, I was the terrified kitten, wishing I'd never made the climb.
One year and five months on, I'm glad I did.
He's still here, mum. He's my Huckleberry. (A reference, both you and he will understand)
His name is Jose, but he goes by "Joey". He's Spanish. Sidenote: you'd have loved his cooking!
Anyway, we agreed to meet at the Howlin' Wolf. Let me tell you this, he's a punctual man - always has to be on time. So you can imagine that only added to my nerves, as someone who would be late for their own funeral!
"What can I get you?" he asked before I got there, so I'd have a drink waiting.
"A shotgun," I joked, revealing how nervous I really was to him. I settled for a JD & lemonade instead and made myself to the bar, a million caterpillars wriggling in my stomach, turning to the biggest flutter of butterflies. GULP!
I shuffled up to the door of the bar and drew in a big breath. As I released it, I tricked myself into believing I'd released all the nerves and I stepped inside. "I'm here to meet someone," I told the man at the door who asked if I had a reservation. Before he could answer me, I spotted him at the bar. Joey.
He was leaning against it, already looking at me. My stomach fell through my arse, mum. The nerves only took a wee disco nap.
Wow, I remember thinking. He's tall, gorgeous smile and... wearing cowboy boots. I know, right? The universe couldn't have added a better touch if they tried. My type, if I ever had one. Mum, it was like that scene in Mermaids when they pull up and Charlotte sees Joe for the first time, "Johnny Angel" playing. Not even joking, I could swear that song was ringing in my head as I captured a photograph for my brain, staring at Joey.
"Bit awkward, innit?" I wasted no time when it came to making it so.
And it turns out, it wasn't so awkward at all. Well, there was a moment I thought he up and left on the fly. But he didn't. He only went for some air.
See, I kept telling him the whole time, "you can leave if you want. I know I'm not everyone's cup of tea." Years of being downed by the wrong men, I guess. But this one, Joey, he did everything right.
We spent the whole night together, going from bar to bar until the early hours of the morning. Neither of us wanting the time together to end, as it was fun. It was easy.
Walking along George Square, before we said our goodbyes, the moon was like a crystal ball in the sky. I know that sounds cliche, mum. But it was. It was so full, clear and glowing, and you know I love it.
"I love the moon," I told him, stopping to take a look. Then you know what he did? Mum, he took my face in his hands and gave me the sweetest kiss I'd ever known. He gave me the perfect first date - the perfect night.
And as I said, it's been one year and five months, and he hasn't changed. He's still gifting me my version of perfect.
What's more, we are about to move into our first home together. I'm happy, so happy, but you know what's coming, don't you? You know this is a constant;
Wish you were here.
