Ivy Creek, Shenandoah 2006

Kevin and I went hiking yesterday in Ivy Creek. And I got to use my new hiking boots! Very exciting!

Me and Kevin at Ivy Creek

Might be the creek in question?

At the top!

At the top.

New hiking boots!

Big Branch Falls Trail, Shenandoah 2006

To celebrate two months since we met, we went hiking on the Big Branch Falls Trail in Shenandoah. As the name suggests there were many beautiful waterfalls.

Self-portrait with camera

Someone got distracted

Hike hike hike.

Rock were we took a break

Timer photo with river

Jose Gonzalez Concert 2006

Our first concert! Jose Gonzalez was great and I had fun with Kevin. I've never been to a concert at Starr Hill before and it was a really cool intimate venue. A few minutes before the show started though, I spilled some ice from drink. When Jose Gonzalez came out he slipped on my melted ice. I felt so bad! Sorry for almost injuring the musician!

Love 2006

Yesterday Kevin said I love you!

One-Month Anniversary - August 2006

Kevin brought me flowers and we had dinner together to celebrate one month since we met! The best! 

Flowers!

Also, I was finished with interviews on Tuesday, and got a callback Tuesday and another one Wednesday, both in New York City. So I could really relax and enjoy myself. So relieved!

Monroe's Ash Lawn-Highland 2006

Becky, Brandon, Kevin and I went to Ash Lawn-Highland yesterday. I had already told Becky I'd go after we went to Monticello and since Kevin and I are together now, I invited him to come with us. So our seventh date was a really nice double date.

Ash Lawn was the estate of James Monroe, fifth President of the United States from 1793-1825. President Monroe called his home "Highland." It did not acquire the additional name of "Ash Lawn" until after his death. The estate is now owned by Monroe's alma mater, the College of William and Mary.


Ash Lawn-Highland

Brandon and Becky with the Ash Lawn-Highland peacocks

Statue of Monroe
Becky and Brandon behind the house More of the estate Afterwards we did a little tasting at Jefferson Vineyards. What a fun afternoon!
Tasting a red at nearby Jefferson Vineyards Becky and Brandon with a white wine toast

Giving Blood 2006

For our sixth date, Kevin mentioned he had an appointment to donate blood Thursday morning, and I mentioned that it had been a while since I gave blood so I could join him. He called up and made an appointment for the two of us to go back to back.

He gave blood first while I was giving some intake information, and then I went. I got very cold while donating and asked for blankets. Then I started feeling feint when I was part way through. They asked if I wanted I wanted to stop but I know from previous experience that if you don't give the full pint they don't use it. I finished with the pint while Kevin watched me nervously from the other side of the room.

Afterwards we went back to my place to watch more Six Feet Under together, and he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I said definitely.

Blood donation sticker in my planner.

Scottsville, VA 2006

So for our fifth date, we went to the nearby quaint town of Scottsville. He showed me the wall of a building downtown that marked the height that the water had reached during flooding of Scottsville.

Kevin suggested we should rent a television show together (so as to have an excuse for frequent dates). We'd heard good things about Six Feet Under. Um, a show about death and funeral parlors? So we went to Sneak Reviews, rented Season 1, and then watched Six Feet Under together at my place. It was the first time he came to my place and he was shocked that I offered him mango juice.

Sneak Reviews, movie rental place

Dinner and Rushmore 2006

On Friday, Kevin invited me over to his place.  I met his roommate Brady, just as he was on his way out. Kevin had cooked me dinner and we watched one of his favorite movies, Rushmore.

Rushmore hotness

We were actually supposed to watch the movie after our second date, but it got too late for me after we walked around UVA, so I declined. He had to make it a separate date and lure me over with dinner.

Third Date Hiking 2006

Our third date was hiking at Shenandoah starting very early in the morning on Wednesday. We went to Brown's Gap, a long and lovely trail with three waterfalls. He brought coffee, oranges, and nuts to snack on at the falls. It was about 4.5 miles out, and the last thirty minutes back were very hot and I was getting bitten by mosquitoes, but I restrained my complaints. I wanted him to think I could hang with his hiking hobby.

What Kevin looks like when he hikes (photo from his stash)

Afterwards, I didn't really want to go home and it was still early so we got lunch at Bellair Market and then sat near a lake for a little while eating our sandwiches.

Second Date at Continental 2006

Kevin took me to dinner at Continental restaurant because he likes the food there. The original plan was to go to dinner and then go back to his place to watch a movie. He encouraged me to have a big margarita... or two. We had a lot of great conversation over dinner and he's very funny and attentive.

Toward the end of the date he mentioned that he was opposed to corn subsidies and I felt like this is a guy that really gets me! Though thinking about it today I wonder if he read all the comments on my Friendster page and saw Aubree's comment about how much I hate corn subsidies. Haha. I have to give him the benefit of the doubt though because he's an intellectual liberal that lived in Iowa during grad school so he probably really did consider this issue.

After dinner he suggested we take a walk around the UVA grounds. Since he was an undergrad here five years ago he showed me around his old haunts and pointed out a mural he helped paint in one of the dorms.

Part of mural that I could photograph through window

It was close to 11 pm by then and he suggested we go back and watch the movie, but since it was so late and I was full of margaritas, I politely declined. He brought me home and kissed me goodnight!

Good First Date Yesterday! 2006

My coffee date yesterday night was great. Kevin is cute, super smart, and funny. It was a good time. He's 26 and he teaches at Bridgewater College.

I dressed up to go to the Downtown Mall. I was wearing a black fitted shirt and white jean skirt and white sandals with little heels. Sarah and Donald dropped me off Downtown. Kevin was sitting outside reading the New York Times. Apparently, he does this every Sunday. The first thing I noticed about him was his bushy hair and that he was cute. In that order.

Kevin got me a cappuccino while he sipped a green tea. He tried to impress me with his two-book contract and personal Dave Barry connection (I love Dave Barry). I probably shouldn't have told him that I don't believe in happiness. That wasn't a good move on my part.

Mudhouse in 2006- even from the angle at which I approached.

Maybe he thought some ice cream would make me reconsider happiness? After Mudhouse, he suggested we walk over to Chaps for dessert. I was charmed. He drove me home to Ivy Gardens and asked if I'd be interested in another date. I said, "definitely."