Total Rewind # 3: Friend Approval

I'm trying to catch up folks. Stay with me.

Friend approval is vital for me. With my first boyfriend - who very few of my friends liked - I was stubbornly resistant to the idea that friend approval wasn't key, objective, and a clear step in the process.

Having won over DD's bestie from high school and HIS girlfriend at the Royals game, it seemed natural that the next night at our roller derby date we should meet a bulk of the "crew" that I spend my time with.

Now, what I didn't anticipate was DD gravitating towards my latest ex, who happens to be roommates with my best friend's boyfriend (follow that?) This Ex - who I wish I could find a nickname for since he gives EVERYONE's nicknames - is a reporter and thus, a great first person to meet. However, after 15 minutes I find myself texting my sister: "I think [DD] and [Ex-Boyfriend] are on a first date. I'm just sitting here."

It's only after the derby (which was DD's first) that we retire to a local bar that we spend many a weekend night at that things really get good. DD, I discover, is funny to other people too! My judgement isn't impaired! My best friend's boyfriend laughs at solidly 3 or 4 of DD's jokes - none of which are assuming or polarizing.

When he goes to the restroom, I immediately ask the table "what do you think!?"

Everyone offers approval - some of which is slightly surprised since I have a history of falling for not the greatest guys.

Friend approval # 1: check.

Now, there are a couple of people that will be TOUGH friend approvals with boys. The first of which is my best friend from high school who is an army guy now. Granted he's grown up a lot thanks to the army, being married for almost 3 years and having a baby on the way, but he's still protective of me.

Needless to say when he's home for a brief 2-week stay before deploying to Kuwait, I worry that he'll do or say something that we'll both regret on the Wednesday night that he and his wife come over to see me and I know DD is coming over later as well.

Shock # 2 that DD shows up and hits it off with my army buddy! What?! Are you a mutant man from the land of good boyfriends? Why haven't you been discovered??
I'm not sure, but it strangely makes me both thrilled and MORE skeptical at the same time. This is the cynic in me. I assume since he appears to have nothing wrong with him that the "wrong" thing just hasn't manifested itself yet.

Makes sense, right?

Or not.

Needless to say, this is where we stand:

Good conversation: check
Good sex: check
Friend approval: check
Kid approval : half check (he's met mine but I haven't met him)
Geographic convenience: check
Job: half check (he has a job but it's a band-aid job, he doesn't finish his degree program until December).

Looks promising, folks, looks REEEEEAL promising.