Over the last few months, Modern Philosophers, I’ve kept you entertained by writing posts about my failed attempts at dating.
Usually, there would be a post, accompanied by photos, of my walk across the bridge to meet someone who I would not go on to meet a second time.
While I laughed off these failings in my posts, the Hopeless Romantic in me was not at all pleased by my unsuccessful journeys over the Penobscot River.
Finally, I am able to write a happy post about walking across that bridge. This time, however, I was not going to meet a stranger. I was already walking hand in hand with my date, so I was fairly certain that I was going to have a very positive experience.
The following is the tale of one Modern Philosopher’s bridge crossing that ended on an even better note than it began…
For those of you who haven’t be following our story thus far, my date for this afternoon was The Sweet Irish Girl.
No, this photo is not supposed to depict her as a damsel in distress on the train tracks just waiting for a handsome hero to rescue her.
But if you want to think that, I don’t mind..
I tried to explain to her how these train tracks always remind me of Stand By Me, but since she hasn’t seem the film ( I know, right???) the tale didn’t really resonate with her.
She did, however, let her cab driver take her past Stephen King’s house on her way from the airport. I’m sure that counts as something. Maybe not to me, but to Big Steve.
In Ireland, every child has a Guardian Leprechaun, who teaches the wee one something about Irish Magic. The Sweet Irish Girl’s Leprechaun taught her how to have a psychic connection with pumpkins.
A weird skill for sure, but I’m told it looks very good on a CV across the pond.
Because this is a Family Friendly blog, I cannot always type the caption that first popped into my head when I framed a photo.
Trust me, though, The Sweet Irish Girl laughed very hard at what I wanted to write here.
This is my favorite photo of all the ones I took this afternoon. In my mind, The Sweet Irish Girl is staring across the bridge at Bangor and giving serious thought to what it would be like to move to Maine.
Also, how damn adorable is her hat???
Okay, this date just got serious. We are crossing the border into Bangor. It’s too late to turn back. This is really going to happen!
This is the point during my walk across the bridge that I usually sense a disturbance in The Force, then I look up to see Imperial Walkers on the horizon.
Not today, though. All I saw was this…
Happiness. Love. No sign of an attack by the Empire!
Popcorn and fried pickles. All-American foods. The kind of yummy goodness that could put a smile on the face of a hungry lass from the Emerald Isle.
The fact that appetizers were being served was such a wonderful sign. Those other dates rarely got this far.
It must be the Luck o’ the Irish!
I’m not usually a fan of The Sweet Irish Girl’s blind loyalty to the metric system. In fact, talking about the temperature can lead to some real wardrobe issues, and trying to properly set the oven to cook our meals was a wee bit of a task.
However, I’m okay with the pint. That’s one unit of measure I will happily allow.
Oh, wait. The pint isn’t a unit of metric measure? How many pints did I have this afternoon at lunch???
Did you really think I was going to make The Sweet Irish Girl eat a meal that didn’t include potatoes? What kind of monster do you think me to be?
Apparently, the way I say “sandwich” is quite amusing to her. She thinks that her American accent is improving every day, when in reality, it’s creeping forward at about a centimeter a day.
Now this is the part of the date where the Death Star always explodes, and I crawl away from the wreckage just happy to be alive.
I’m always thinking…
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only dating hope!” and/or “She is not the date you are looking for!”
Not today, though. This Jedi finally mastered the art of the date.
Of course, I was also smart enough not to make any nerdy Star Wars references.
On this date, The Sweet Irish Girl accompanied me back across the bridge. When she met up again with her pumpkin friend on the return trip, they chatted about her afternoon.
I don’t speak much Gaelic, but I’m pretty sure she told that gourd that I was a keeper.
Back at The House on the Hill.
As you see from the enormous smile on The Sweet Irish Girl’s beautiful face, our walk across the bridge went very well.
So for all you Modern Philosophers out there who are ready to give up on love, my advice to you is this: There’s a treasure waiting at the end of every rainbow. You’ve just got to be willing to wait out the storm for the rainbow to arrive…
Loving all your recent posts about your Sweet Irish Girl Austin. Delighted that you had an awesome date!
Thanks, Nolan. I wonder if my Sweet Irish Girl knows you. Just joking. I know Ireland is a huge country. If you ever see her, though, you should say hi! 🙂
Well if you ever manage to post a picture of your Sweet Irish Girl showing her face and I happen to see her back home I’ll be sure to say hello!
Nice try. You almost tricked me into posting one. Of course, she is sitting right here next to me reminding me I am not supposed to post her photo!
Haha! Well we’re all very interested in her!! Let her know that!
She is well aware, Nolan, and is a little embarrassed by all the attention. She doesn’t seem to get that I’m just so giddy about her and want all the Modern Philosophers to know!
Well I think it’s just lovely that you’ve found someone Austin. Good on ya! I look forward to reading more posts about your Sweet Irish Girl!
Thank you, Nolan. I’ve really enjoyed having her here, and it’s been a blast documenting her visit while also veiling it in secrecy. 🙂
I’d say so!! Enjoy!
And enjoy your vacation. I look forward to reading about your adventures on your blog. You always take such wonderful photos!
Thank you!! You’ll have lots of photos from Switzerland soon. That’s my next adventure!
Enjoy the cheese and the chocolate. I bet Switzerland is colder than Maine!
Yay Austin!
Thanks, Pam. 🙂
Simple and clean. I knew love would find its way back to you again.
Took long enough! 🙂
Wow! Congrats, Austin! I’m glad you made a new friend. 😀
Thanks, Susie!
It was great meeting the Sweet Irish Girl yesterday on your walk across the bridge! You both looked very happy!
She is still embarrassed that she told you we were “pissed”. And she is still very suspicious that TJ was the same. 🙂
Lovely – and yes, the hat was adorable!
I know, right? She doesn’t get why I think the hat is so cute!
It makes me happy that you are happy! That gorgeous Irish girl is a keeper! Keep smiling 🙂
Just left her at the airport. Trying to type through the tears. 😦
See 😦 Hopefully it won’t be for long. Get saving! There’s always Skype and phonecalls till the next time, and your happy memories x
Aw, so sweet.
Thanks, Gail. 🙂
“Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only dating hope!” and/or “She is not the date you are looking for!” – i really laughed hard with this part. I also imagined a yoda one that says “Date her you will not.” Good job Austin, your posts never fail to entertain!
Thanks, Joe. I searched my feelings and I knew that adding those Star Wars references would really make the post pop.
You did great Austin. Really, really great. I raise a pint toward the Maine rainbow. 🙂
Thanks. The Sweet Irish Girl really is wonderful. Whoever she is… 🙂
I love the photo where she’s thinking about moving to Maine! 🙂
She is in the Swiss Alps now, but I like to believe she is thinking about Maine often…
You have found yourself a world traveler, Austin. A true match in spirit.
Well, I’d love for her to settle down here so I can love her like she deserves to be loved…
That would be a Hollywood ending. 🙂
And Irish Hollywood ending. 🙂