Married Man

His nickname is Married Man.

At least that's what Ashley and I call him.

And this is my story:

First, let me set the scene. I was a young, nervous and carless college freshman. I didn't have a bus that year and I had to take the bus to work. One day, I was just sitting on the bus when a guy sits down beside me. (I cringe every time I remember that I was kind of excited about this. Little did I know what would happen later with him.) He starts talking to me and soon asks for my phone number. And me being the naive little freshman that I was, gave it to him. The bus arrived at the station and we went our separate ways. And I half expected never to hear from him again.

1 day later...

To my surprise, he texts me and tries to get to know me. He seems genuinely interested and like a nice, honest guy so I start asking some questions about him. We text back and forth for about a week and that's when he mentions that he has a 1 year-old daughter. Then I got curious so I ask about her. And he let his slip that he is married!!! I remember being one hundred and ten percent shocked. It's not like he was some middle-aged man. No, he was probably around 24. I had no idea what to do. I had never really had a ton of experience with single guys let alone married men! I tried to ignore him but he kept texting and calling me. When he asked me on an official date was when I called him on the whole marriage thing. His excuse/rationale was that he wanted a divorce. Oh, well why didn't you say so before? That makes everything okay. Umm... Are you kidding me? That was the lamest excuse.

Over the next few months...

He continued to text and call me just to talk or to ask me out. Finally, I told him straight out that I wasn't interested. He told me something along the lines of this: "Are you sure? I'll give you some time to think that over. You don't know what you are giving up. But don't take too long because I won't wait around forever." He made it sound like he was doing me a favor. I told him I was sure.

3 months later...

Married Man had been silent for a few months now and I thought that I was in the clear and that he had forgotten all about me. One day, I was eating lunch with Ashley and her boyfriend when someone mentioned Married Man. They both got a kick out of this whole awkward situation and were curious as to what he looked like. But I didn't know his last name so we couldn't facebook stalk him. So they convinced me to start talking to him again. He took that the wrong way. He thought I was completely interested. I was asked to go to the movies with him. And to go to his house to "relax" after a long day at school. I was even invited to his kid's birthday party! I kept ignoring him but this guy was persistent. That summer he even wanted me to go to California with him and kids!

Earlier this year

At the beginning of his year, things eventually calmed down with him and I heard from him less and less. One might assume that is where the story ends. But no. My life wouldn't be complete without regular awkward encounters with him. Almost every time I go to Wal-Mart, I see him. I'm literally afraid to go by myself because I'm worried about running into him. One day, Ashley wasn't home and I really needed some groceries. So I put on my big-girl shoes and went alone. Bad idea. It was the most awkward of awkwardest encounters. It was a full-on shopping cart collision. I tried to get out of there as fast as possible but he wanted to talk. And of course, ask me out again.

From this point on, I will always go to the Logan Wal-Mart with a shopping buddy.

Greek Pasta

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 pound small pasta shells

1 (15 oz.) can ready-cut diced tomatoes with their juice

1 diced red pepper

1/4 cup pitted and roughly chopped black olives

2 tbsp. red wine

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes***

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

***If you don't like lots of spice, don't use as much

Instructions 

Bring a large quantity of water to boil in a stockpot. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds; do not let it get at all colored. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. 

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until very al dente, soft but not quite cooked through. It will continue to cook in the oven. Drain thoroughly in a colander and place back in the pot. Pour on the garlic oil and toss well. Let cool to room temperature, tossing occasionally to prevent sticking. 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Mix in all the remaining ingredients. Place in a shallow 3-quart casserole (such as a 13×9 inch pan). Cover with foil. (The pasta can be assembled and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before baking.) 

Bake, covered, for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes to lightly brown the top of the casserole. 

Total Servings: 6

Wednesday's Words 5 1/2

Well it's late and I don't feel very good and I'm stressed about an exam tomorrow. So I just want to leave you with this in place of today's word:

xoxo

Samantha

It Will All Work Out

Everyone is getting married.

And having babies.

And some are doing the baby thing first.

But then there's me.

Still single.

And doing the college thing.

Sometimes I feel like I am behind.

But I just need to remember,

that everyone grows up differently.

And it's not that I am still a child.

Because I'm not.

I'm an adult with different priorities.

And that's okay.

I don't have to be like everyone else.

I'm doing my own thing at my own pace.

I'm not doing anything wrong.

We just all go in our different directions.

And what I need to keep in mind is this:

There is someone out there just for me.

And I will meet him when it's the right time.

For both of us.

xoxo,

Samantha

Wednesday's Words 5

Today's topic: Faith

I need to free myself from doubt and have faith that everything will work out. It may not happen when and how I want it to but I need to have faith and trust that God knows what He is doing. And He does.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

xoxo

sam

Happy Love Day

"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate.

I don't believe in forever, or love as a mystical state.

I don't believe in the stars or the planets

or angels watching from above.

But I believe there's a ghost of a chance

we can find someone to love

and make it last."

- Rush, "Ghost Of A Chance"

I hope you have a great Valentine's Day, however you are spending it.

xoxo

Sam

The Dating Problem

My generation has a twisted understanding of dating. A lot of young people believe that dating = hanging out.

But I am here to tell you that this is not true. They are entirely different and separate activities.

So let's break it down. What do we know about hanging out?

1. Usually unplanned. This is when you get a conversation similar to this: "So what do you want to do?" "I don't know. What do you want to do?" "I don't know..."

2. Everyone pays for themselves.

3. These hang outs are typically with the same people. Doing the same thing.

4. You are secretly wishing you were on a date with that one guy instead of sitting around having the what-do-you-want-to-do conversation.

Okay, now what about dating?

1. They are (should) be planned. Those unplanned dates are rough. And awkward.

2. The guy pays.

3. To achieve the best dating experience, date a lot of different people. And do different things. Don't get me wrong, those dinner and a movie dates have their purpose. But are not for the sixth date.

4. You are happy because you are actually on a date. It makes you feel kind of special.

So how and why has our society turned good, old-fashioned dating into hanging out? They are obviously not the same thing. I'm not going to pretend to have the answer because I don't. What I do know is this: dating has taken a back-seat while hanging out has moved in front and center.

Bottom line: Guys don't ask girls out enough. And when that date does come around the girl takes it really seriously and that can freak a guy out. So they just don't ask girls out as often until they are really serious about settling down. So less people are dating and in the mean time, we are all getting old and even more single with every passing day.

My Rainy Day Playlist

Rumor Has It - Adele

Pennies On The Floor - The Little Willies

Never Gonna Leave This Bed - Maroon 5

Happily Ever After - He Is We

Glass - Thompson Square

Bette Davis Eyes - Taylor Swift (Cover)

Cut - Plumb

So Far Away - Staind

We Are Young - Fun 

Secrets - One Republic 

Landslide - Dixie Chicks 

Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters 

Half Of My Heart - John Mayer 

Hallelujah - Rufus Wainwright 

It's Gotta Be Love - Lee Dewyze 

Hurtful - Erik Hassle 

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield 

1, 2, 3, 4 - Plain White T's 

Never Say Never - The Fray

Everything - Michael Buble

 Austin - Blake Shelton

What songs you would add to this list?

xoxo

Sam

This is it.

Remember what it was like to be 7 years old? When you dreamed of the future and when you thought those teenage girls were so cool with their cars and boyfriends.They got to wear make-up, have pretty clothes and stay out late.

I remember those girls. I remember Chloe, Susan and Heidi (names have been changed to protect the innocent). They were so cool and I remember how I wanted to be like them. I couldn't wait to grow up. Because then I would get my drivers license, have my first kiss and go to high school. And then I would go to college and have a successful career. I couldn't wait for the future and actually believed that all my dreams would come true.

But I'm just now realizing that the future is here.

Driving is no longer exciting, I have graduated high school, my first kiss has come and gone, boys are still just as dumb and I am actually going to college.


The future is no longer this abstract idea. The future that I dreamed about as a little kid is here. It is very much the present and today's reality.

And the big question is: Was it everything I thought it would be?

No.

With less than six months remaining of my teenage years, I can't help but reflect on what I thought it would be and what it really was.

High school wasn't as glamorous as it is made out to be in the movies. In fact, some of my worst memories are from high school. Driving isn't exciting now as it was when I was 16 due to car payments, gas and insurance.

Now that I am an adult, I realize that I don't know and can't handle everything. The perception we get from our parents and other adults in our younger years are not exactly true. When I was younger, I almost half expected to receive this large amount of knowledge when I turned 18. Or maybe even 19. Or maybe it's yet to come when I turn 20. But adults really don't know everything.

Part of me wants to be a little kid again. Everything seemed so much simpler then.

xoxo

Sammy

Wednesday's Words 4

Todays topic: Happiness

I have just been so happy lately and I wanted to share some of the happiness with you.

"Happiness is a Swedish sunset -- it is there for all, but most of us look the other way and lose it." ~Mark Twain

"Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response." ~Mildred Barthel 

And don't forget to smile today! It's the quickest way to change your mood. It's quite simply really. Just smile :)

xoxo,

Samantha

Dear Boys

This is my attempt at a dear boys post. I've read a few of them and I think I have it figured out. This was inspired by a dear boys post written by my friend, Elise. You should totally check out her blog. It's pretty awesome!

Dear Old Man,

No, I don't want to spend a month with you.

At your cabin in the woods.

In Alaska.

Sincerly,

Find someone your own age

Dear Wal-Mart,

Why do you have so many creepy married shoppers?

Sincerly,

I'm shopping somewhere else

Dear Mr. Hotty,

Please just talk to her.

It would make life so much easier for everyone involved.

Sincerly,

Her roommate

Dear Hot and Single Guys of Logan,

Where are you all hiding?

There's got to be more.

Sincerely,

I'm done playing hide-and-go seek

Dear School,

I'm not liking this girl to boy ratio that remains consistent in my classes.

If only I didn't love my major so much...

Sincerely,

Disappointed

Dear Old Friend,
I haven't seen you in awhile.

I hope you're doing well...
Sincerely,

Please don't forget me

Dear Hot and Cold,
You used to mean so much more.
But you changed.
So I changed my mind.
Sincerely,
I'm letting go

Dear Married Man,

No, I don't want to go to Cali with you.

Or attend your kid's b-day party.

Or go to the movies with you.

Or come over to 'relax'.

Sincerly,

Please stop asking

xoxo,

Sam

  If you have any Dear Boys of your own, share them with everyone in a comment below.

Wednesday's Words 3

Today's word: Forgiveness

A few months ago something happened with a friend. I was offended and hurt and she was mad. It was a mess and we just stopped talking. But now, it's time I forgive and move on. Whether that means letting her back in my life, I'm not sure. I don't even know if that something she even wants. But what I do know is this: I'm tired of feeling hurt. I don't like being upset with someone and I think it's starting to have negative effects on my life. 

So whether you are trying to forgive someone or just forgive yourself, this post is for you.

 

 

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xoxo

samantha