And just like that, I have a date for tomorrow and a new favorite thing of the day.

“Mom, you look pretty.” Christian stares at me like I have three heads as I walk into the living room where he’s watching The Incredibles. His smile falls. “Are we going somewhere?”

“Nope.”

With a shrug, he goes back to the movie and I’m thankful I don’t have to try and explain why I’m dressed up. If I can’t wrap my own brain around it, I definitely can’t explain it to a three-year-old. What the heck is a virtual date anyway?

It’s twenty minutes until seven. Christian doesn’t typically go to bed until closer to seven thirty, but I pushed everything up tonight to get him into bed before my date.

“Alright, buddy, bedtime.”

When he looks like he’s going to protest, I add, “Three books tonight so go pick them out and I’ll be right there.”

As he runs off, I run a shaky hand through my hair – washed with my new shampoo and conditioner, curled and I even used an old bottle of hair spray that hasn’t been touched since… well, I’m not even sure. I opted for leggings and a shirt that shows off my midriff and hangs off one shoulder. It’s comfortable but sexy.

I gotta be honest I don’t know if a virtual date includes the ability to see the other person. Maybe we’re going to text. I’m torn between the hope that it includes video chat and nervous that if we do, something will go wrong. I can just picture Christian busting into the living room in the middle of my date – that would be awkward.

I grab my phone and take it with me to Christian’s room. He sits on his bed with a stack of books next to him. Way more than three, but honestly it might be better to give in tonight and hope reading in mass quantities puts him to sleep.

Christian is sitting on my lap, head leaned back on my chest when I feel my phone vibrate with a text. We’re on book four, so I do the fast version, skipping unnecessary words and sentences, and then tuck him in. By some miracle, he seems tired and I cross my fingers as I grab my phone, give him a kiss, tell him my favorite thing of the day – him, and head out to the living room.

Joel: Picking you up in five. And by picking you up, I mean I’m going to call you.

Me: Do people still do that? Talk on the phone?

Joel: Only when there’s no other option.

Guilt gnaws and panic sets in. Crap, this is going to be the worst date in all of Joel Moreno’s dating history. That’s a long list to be at the bottom of. At least it’ll be memorable for being the worst. Ugh.

Joel: Can’t wait, Kitty