There was this girl I went out with for a little while named Diana. Diana was cool as all get out, though I recall few details for some reason. We met at Pellissippi State in Knoxville in the spring of 97. It was an English Composition class, 201 maybe? But I digress.

At the time I was starting to see Diana I had a weird physically platonic, emotionally involved relationship with this girl named Heather. For some unknown reason I was driving up to Ohio to see this girl every few weeks, just to hang out and see the sites.

One Friday before I was to leave for Ohio I called Diana and asked if she wanted to hang out. I had some errands to run and thought it’d be nice to spend a little bit of time together before I left. When I could offer nothing more than shoe shopping and a haircut she declined.

Even then this bothered me and here’s why. When I’m seeing someone, it really doesn’t matter at all what we’re doing. I enjoy the company, not the environment. Sure there are things that I’d like to do on an outing, or date if you will. I enjoy going to see bands, going to the movies and browsing bookstores but if the company is good I’ll go shopping for tampons and everyday underwear and have the time of my life.

For me it’s about time spent with that person I’m seeing, especially in those early days. You get to see the person in their everyday, their element if you will. Their guard is down, their hair is down and you can really see who they are.

So if we’re seeing each other and you decide you can’t hang out because you have to go grocery shopping, invite me along. We’ll make an outing of it.