A Holiday Party

Friday night, I hosted a dozen friends at my third annual holiday party.

This year, along with the usual spread of cold hors d’oeuvres, I brought in White Castle sliders and pigs in a blanket. Hot comfort food goes a long way when the mercury drops -- even my trainer Crystal was all for the caloric indulgence.

Celebrating The Season: (from left) Cindy, Rachel, me and Jason

Travel was one of the hot topics of conversation. Galpal Cindy and hubby Jason filled me in on their upcoming trip to Costa Rica, while my friend Prince shared his plans to visit Tanzania after the new year. My 2010 travel resolution -- see more of the U.S., especially cities with a happening singles scene.

Fellow dating blogger Lost Plum and I talked about mining the past for material during present romantic droughts, and she also told me about the stalker who wants consent to use her likeness in his upcoming book. Only in New York.

Toward the night’s end, pals Andrea, Rachel and I settled in for some kvetching about singlehood in NYC.

As we shared stories and a few laughs, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have such great friends -- friends who make the holiday season something to celebrate.

What's your favorite part of this time of year?

Opening The Vault: Part Fifty Nine

When you reach six months in a relationship, it tends to feel like something of a milestone. And never has that occasion been commemorated more memorably than it was back in ‘98 by then-boyfriend David.

Just a few days before Christmas, David surprised me with a grand gesture that literally brightened up my room. I now Open The Vault and take you back to December of 1998.…

December 21, 1998
New York, NY

Dear Diary,

I’m sitting here surrounded by five dozen roses. Yep, that’s right -- 60 roses, in a range of colors from the man I love.

A Sea Of Colors: Some of the 60 roses David gave me for six months together

The flowers were David’s surprise gift to me for our six-month anniversary, an occasion that has reinforced my deepening love and desire for him.

The magical day started with some holiday shopping. As we strolled around holding hands, I suddenly found myself imagining us doing the same -- like 20 years from now.

After stopping at Barney’s on Madison Avenue so David could get a tie for my family’s holiday party, we went back to Dad’s and joined him in the den. D really made the effort to contribute to the conversation. Since he’s on the quiet side, I know that can be difficult for him so it meant a lot to me. So did what happened next.

We walked into my room and I noticed two big, long boxes from a flower company in Canada. I immediately assumed they were from some high school friends of mine in Toronto. Then, with some help from D, I opened them.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the card--

“To the first six months…and to many more. Te quiero con todo mi corazon, David.”

I jumped up and threw my arms around him. I was so surprised!

D tended carefully to each flower, cutting the stems and filling vases with water while quipping that I needn’t worry about him taking up flower arranging.

In my room, I thanked him again. David said he’ll get me more flowers for my birthday -- and for our one-year anniversary.

* * *

I’m looking at the roses -- pink, red, yellow, white and peach -- now, marveling at how they’re opening. In my entire life, I’ve never been given so much from a man, nor have I felt so happy and connected to one. I love David, more and more every day.

* * *

David made good on his word to surprise me again for my birthday. As we grew closer, though, differences between us would emerge to test our love -- and threaten our future together.

When Flirting Fizzles

Not too long ago, I did a post about flirting at the gym prompted by repeatedly seeing a certain guy there. A recent encounter with him got me to thinking how absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder.

As I mentioned before, this guy has made a habit of staring at me. Ironically, after deciding to finally break the ice and say hello, I didn’t run into him for about a month.

My fabulous trainer Crystal, however, did see Mr. Mysterious. She said he would look at her expectantly, like he was waiting to see if I was with her. I’m not so sure, especially after our bizarre exchange the other day.

He walked past Crystal and me to the other side of the floor. About two minutes later, he circled back and approached us -- literally stepping between Crystal and I, gazing intently at me. I gave him my best, most inviting smile…and he just kept on walking.

Now I can certainly appreciate being the shy, silent type (I’ve dated a few of those). And I can also understand treading gingerly before making the first move. What baffles me is spending months skirting thisclose to doing so and not following through.

At the risk of sounding like a ‘rules’ girl, I think sometimes a man just needs to man up and do something. If he can’t work up the courage to do it at the beginning, it’s only downhill from there.

Who knows? Maybe Mystery Guy just enjoys staring.

SGITC Reader Perk: New Mobile Dating App

A brand-new mobile dating application is making it easy to flirt on the go. And, as a Single Gal In The City reader, you can check it out for free!

The app uses your GPS/GEO location to find out who is single and ready to mingle in your area.

Designed to be fun and flirtatious, it features a suggestion engine that offers conversation starters, current events, jokes, and movie quotes related to your ideal guy’s profile.

And it’s safe -- the app has a variety of filters so you can choose how much info users can see about your location, profile, etc.

What the application doesn’t currently have is a name, and that’s where you come in. The designer is running a contest where users can name the app. If your submission is chosen, you’ll get 2% of the profits for two years.

The contest only runs through December 31st, so visit NameThisApp.com for more details. To sign up for three months free, click here.

Happy flirting!