A few more lunches came and went. A budding friendship was almost in full bloom. While our friendship was deepening, Tanya was busy being pursued by another suitor. Despite this fact, I refused to let myself consider Paul anything other than a friend…however difficult it was proving to be.

Paul and I were spending more and more time together, going to the gym, which I later found out was something Paul rarely did, and continuing to go to lunch once or twice a week. On one such day Paul and I headed off to Hulen Mall’s food court to meet up with some friends to take advantage of the buy a combo get a free sandwich deal for seminary students at Chick-Fil-A. After lunch he and I loaded up in his Silver Chevy Silverado and headed back to campus. Almost as soon as we began to drive out of the parking lot Paul say, “So my parents sent me some money for my birthday to go eat and I was wondering if you’d like to go.”

Chirp…chirp…chirp…those birds chirped away for what seemed like minutes. What was I supposed to say??!! Of course I wanted to go, but my mind immediately jumped to Tanya. Then went to “In what way is he asking me out? Is it just as friends or something more? What just happened??”

However, my response was, “Sure.”

I get home and immediately begin watching the parking lot for Tanya to pull up so I can charge into her apartment, explain myself and ask for permission. Upon hearing what had happened, Tanya says, “I think that’d be great. You guys have a lot in common. I think you should date him.” WHAT??!!! I say, “No, no, no. This is just a friend date. There’s nothing going on.” “Well, it’d be just fine if you wanted to date him,” Tanya says.

Between the time of Paul’s asking me to go eat with him and the actual going out to eat I had to play for a pre-party for a School of Music event at Bass Hall. A group of friends had gotten tickets to attend the actual event but it turned out Paul was the only one who showed up. Again, I thought nothing of this.

After finishing up with my responsibilities, I met a fast-food holding Paul outside Bass Hall with only about five minutes to find our seats before the curtain went up. Grateful as I was for the food Paul had brought me I was eager to get inside. So we found some hungry event workers to give the food to and headed in.

It was a great night of music. I believe it was a new experience for Paul, but it was one I enjoyed every time I had the chance. I love sitting in a theater, watching musicians passionately convey emotion to you through their chosen instrument. After a rousing finale of the

“Hallelujah Chorus” Paul and I headed to Chili’s for a bite to eat. As we’re walking Paul stops suddenly and touches his hair. “I think a bird just pooped in my hair,” he said. “Really?” I asked through a bit of laughter. Yep, it was bound to happen to somebody I knew with all those pesky pigeons downtown. It was even funnier that it happened at this moment.

We get a table at Chili’s and Paul excuses himself to the bathroom to wash out the bird poop of his hair. He gets back, we order and I hit him with the question of all questions, “How is it that I get the privilege of going out to eat with you for your birthday?”

Chirp….chirp….chirp…can you hear the birds?