"And for the first time, what's past is past..." -T.S.

Today is your first date with a guy named Spencer. Over the weekend, you met him at the book store where you work; when you complimented the books he was purchasing, the two of you immediately clicked and struck up an easy conversation. By the time he had to leave, he was asking you for your number, and you gladly gave it to him. He also asked if you would like to meet him at a cafe during your lunch break on Wednesday, and of course, you agreed.

Although you excitedly agreed to meet him at first, you became increasingly anxious as Wednesday approached. Eight months ago, you went through a nasty breakup with your boyfriend of almost two years. It's been hard to move on from him; despite the feeling that he never really let you be yourself, you couldn't help but love him. When he broke up with you, you were devastated, regardless of the details like the fact that he would tell you what to wear, he didn't like your music, and he never really laughed at your jokes. It's hard for you to admit, but you let that relationship define your self-worth, and the more time you spent with him, the more you started to believe everything he said, and the less you began to expect from people.

You hope that Spencer will be different; you deeply want to let the past be in the past and begin a healthy relationship, even though it's hard for you to accept that you deserve real love. You try not to let your past relationship cloud your thinking, but you already picture Spencer fitting into your familiar pattern. When you arrive at the cafe, you're imagining that you will have to sit around for at least twenty minutes waiting for him, like your ex would make you do. However, you are pleasantly surprised when you walk inside and see Spencer stand from a booth across the room and wave at you, a broad smile on his face. You smile in return, crossing the cafe and greeting him.