First of all, thanks for asking me out. For finally realizing that all my e-mail chatting about local cuisine wasn't just for conversation's sake, but was my attempt to open a relational door to you. I really was trying to meet you halfway in this process. I hope it felt like it.

Now that we have the date set, forgive me I seem a little cautious and tentative. I've been here before, staring down a relationship potential with a seemingly great guy. And, well, the fact that I'm here again tells you a lot about the success of my previous efforts. I'm trying to let the past be the past, but also to guard my heart. It's such a precarious balance at times.

I don't want to put undue pressure on you, but I have to be honest that a little bit of my faith in your gender is riding on how you treat me. You've already restored some of my faith in just asking me out—it does still happen! But I've been burned before and yes, I'll admit I've done my share of singeing as well. Going out with you makes me vulnerable. I don't know if you realize it, but in going out with you I'm handing a little piece of my heart to you to see what you'll do with it. If you're just planning to drop it or perform a juggling act with a couple other heart-pieces from others, could you just let me know now? It would be great to save us both the trouble and time and heartache. I know as fallen human beings we're destined to inadvertently hurt each other in some way at some point, but if we know it's coming sooner than later and more through negligence or a cavalier attitude than accident, I'd really like to opt-out of this one. I don't know how many more heartbreaks or disappointments I can take before I become a jaded, bitter date-monster. And I really don't want to become that person.

At our age I know we both come with our fair share of past experience—some of it great and enriching and some of it painful and tough to get past. But I also recognize that some of my best growth has come through my toughest times, and that good, bad, and ugly experiences have all formed me into who I am—and who you are. And these are the selves that were drawn to each other.

We've both also gotten a little set in our ways. My friends and I joke about living alone too long and hoping we haven't spoiled ourselves from ever living with anyone ever again. In full knowledge of that dynamic, I look forward to the way getting to know you better will expand my paradigm, show me a different way of doing and viewing and approaching life. Thank you in advance for that privilege to come alongside and walk a bit in your shoes—whether our journey together lasts five minutes, five miles, or forever.

I promise you now I'll try to leave my Hollywood expectations of love and leading men at the door. I'll try to remember that romantic comedy heroes have script-writers and personal trainers and directors and lighting technicians and a whole host of others who make them seemingly perfect. I pledge to try my best to let you be a human being and to be wowed by the complexity and messiness and wonder of that. I'm praying that God will help me value what's truly valuable and to see you as he does—more from the inside out. Looking for and valuing your heart above any of its packaging. I hope and pray you'll afford me the same eyes.