Before going any further ...

... I really must introduce the new man o' my life: Taylor.

When and where did he come from, you ask? (Wait, is it too presumptuous to think "you" six followers are still reading my blog after the LONG hiatus?) Well, anyway, just in case you're sticking around, let me take you back to Allison's bachelorette party.

It was a gorgeous Portland summer day, and we hit up wine country in a big way. I met two of Allison's friends whom she knew from her previous long-term boyfriend (see, it's important to keep the good friends, even if the boyfriend changes). These girls and I sort of hit it off in a strictly platonic way, and by the end of the evening, we were anxiously awaiting Allison's wedding so we could all get together again.

Well, at the wedding, I met these ladies' hubbies, and immediately they decided I just had to meet their buddy, Taylor. Not thinking much of it, I was surprised when my phone rang a few days later and it was one of the husbands. He was calling to set up a barbecue including Taylor and me. It was an interesting third meeting of these new friends plus a blind date of sorts. Quite the set-up.

I should rewind and tell you I had finally gotten to that point in my life where I was extremely happy alone. I was determined to dedicate myself to my job, school, friends, and family until graduation. That was my plan, but like I should already know by now, plans just don't work out, right?

Taylor impressed me right off the bat. He was interesting and interested. He seemed like such a genuine guy, and I ended up giving him my number. When I got home that night, Mariel asked for details and wondered if he'd call. I remember saying, "Well, he called me right away so I had his number, but I didn't save it, and I don't plan on texting him. If he's interested, he'll contact me." Before I crawled into bed, he had texted me to say he enjoyed meeting me and hoped we could get together sometime soon.

He had to go out of town that next weekend, but he called me on his way back. He asked if I was up for dinner, but he thought the weather was too gorgeous to be inside, so first we went on a mini-hike in Forest Park. I can't neglect to mention he had raced in a triathlon that morning, yet he still wanted to go on a "hike." After that, we went to a brewery and enjoyed dinner on a patio and probably one of the last great sunsets of the Indian summer we were experiencing in Portland.

I remember feeling like we had such a mature and meaningful conversation on that first date. I managed to find out he was incredibly modest. How? Well, he said he did well in his triathlon, and when I later asked how he placed he said second. Not too shabby, I'd say.

There's your teaser about Taylor. Don't fret. You'll be reading more. I am so thankful we met, and I can't wait for all the adventures to come as we've already embarked on quite a handful up to this point.