Welcome Back Mr Stratosphere.

and good luck heart...we can make it through this.

a little blast from the past came along last week when i got a text message from a 850 areacode that read: "hello pretty lady how i hope this finds you well...thought of our first date and how gorgeous you looked. i miss you...xoxo." i cried...in fact i sobbed i didnt need the confirmation that it was from him...i already knew; it was my mister wonderful...the guy who was the first to ever ruin me.

please meet mr stratosphere.

i was a raging rebel at 18 years old. the day before my 18th i had gotten my nipples pierced, the day of my nose, and the day after...my first tattoo.i drank constantly. it was the thing to do. i still lived at home with my parents so my little paychecks were spent on booze and the life style of a vegas girl. i met mr stratosphere shorty after this decision to live free and mighty. he was a couple years older, handsome, strong chirstian boy, with great morals that came from a wonderful family. The kind of picture perfect guy that wouldnt tolerate the rebellious me.

our first date...we met at starbucks in the afternoon, grabbed coffee, and took off from there to go to the stratosphere hotel and casino to hang out up at the top and over look our city. he opened doors for me, held my hand, wanted to learn about, and then he took me on what i thought would be the end of our lives. theres a ride im not sure what it is called but it teeter totters off the side of the stratosphere tower...scary...he let me death grip his hand while he laughed at the screams of terror that escaped what he calls my perfectly pouty lips.

we laughed and learned so much about each other. we headed down from the tower and I ran into the restroom. when i came out, seeing him gave me butterflies...that was when i knew he was the man i needed. we laughed more and sang the entire way back to my car. when we got there he told me "go home and get dressed for dinner"..."we have reservations at 7!". i hurried home and squeeled about him to my mom and told her about the day and what he had said upon dropping me off. my hair and make up was done and a gorgeous green dress was zipped up black heels strapped on. and i was ready to go. he showed up shortly after 6:30pm in a suit and tie with that charming smile and flowers. i giggled the whole way there asking where we were going to go to dinner but it was a surprise he claimed. we showed back up at the stratosphere and had told me while i walked away to go to the restroom he never wanted to see me walk away again and he made dinner reservations at top of the world while i was in the restroom.

it was perfect...the kind of date you should have in your mid 20's not when you are 18 and not at prom. we saw the valley from every angle in the rotating restaurant and after a delicious dinner we headed back to his car where we would retire to his house for a few hours after. when we arrived he gave me a t shirt and sweat pants so i could be more comfotable and out of a dress and heels. we watched a movie that night...but i couldnt tell you what it was we spent that entire time talking, learning, and laughing about everything. it was getting late around 2am and i needed to be returned home for work early in the morning. and when he pulled up to my house, he walked me to the door and when his lips touched mine...there was a shock and we laughed.

the night i knew my life was about to change.