To review what the Ex-Factor Project is about, you can read the introduction here.

I met SportsFan on a random night out with my friends. A group of us would go to a local place called Hurricane’s by the airport because Tuesday’s were called “Drinkin’ with Lincoln”; $5 all you can drink. It was a great deal; fun dancing, good friends, crazy inside jokes, and sometimes they would have silly contests. I was not the designated driver this night and for once almost all of us were able to be out the same night. We were having a blast! I saw SportsFan and his friend a few times throughout the night, but being shy like I am I didn’t approach him. I’ve said it before, I am pretty awkward when it comes to people in general, and when you add in attraction, it can be pretty painful to watch me interact. But every time I saw him, I felt like our eyes would lock on each other for a bit. That is until my blushing and nervousness made me look away.

It was also due to my shyness that my friends thought it would be funny and signed me up for the silly contest that night (that week happened to be sexy banana eating). I kept telling them I could not go on stage, but they helped the situation by providing me with liquid courage. I was really about to chicken out completely when my good friend RH took me aside and he just told me, “Have fun and who cares what people think”. For some reason, that clicked with me so up I went. I figured if I was up there, I was going to go for the win. And – I almost did win! But the girl I was up against in the finals got pretty inappropriate and I wasn’t about to make a complete fool of myself, so I took second.

When I came off the stage, SportsFan almost immediately came up to me.  He and his friend just laughed and said, “You totally should have won.” I was embarrassed that I had even been on stage, let alone that the guy I was scoping out saw the whole silly thing. But they both made me feel at ease and knew it was just about having fun. We started to talk and just really seemed to hit it off. He had a great twinkle in his eyes (which he still does), a really cute smile, and just seemed like a good, honest guy. The chemistry was pretty undeniable. I always put a lot of judgment on a first kiss. I know that seems silly, but I really think it sets the tone and lets you know if there is a connection there. I have to say, the first kiss was exactly what I look for and gave me the butterflies in the stomach that I love to experience. Connection was confirmed!

We had a very good relationship and a lot of fun. We had a lot of the same interests, but also were able to share with each other things that we maybe hadn’t experienced before. He is the first guy who could beat me at Scrabble (and he did almost every time and by a lot). I introduced him to some great alternative music (Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths). He introduced me to some heavier rock (Tool, Cold) that I hadn’t heard before. Even though we had our different football (He: Steelers Me: Bills) and other sports differences, we both enjoyed watching games and talking about sports in general. He was always caring and supportive and just a great boyfriend to have. I guess that is part of the reason why, after some years of heartache and bad blood, we now actually have a friendship. We don’t see each other ever or talk all that often, but he texts me or leaves notes on Facebook from time to time – after the Bills blow a critical play (or win, which was more rare) or to tell me what horrible metal concert he is seeing at Merriweather Post. But I also know that if I ever needed a shoulder of someone who cared about me, I think he would be there too, just as I would for him.

To prove that he is that great guy I always knew, when I asked him to help with this project, he didn’t even blink and agreed to answer my questions. Come back later to hear his take on us.