And they say that age is just a number...

Who's "they" anyway?

Growing up, I've heard it said that when it comes to relationships, that age is "just a number."
The implications being, of course, that in courtships, the difference in age between people doesn't matter. Now, I've never really thought about age difference when it concerns dating because most of the girls I've dated or been on fun dates with have usually been my age (22) or a couple of years younger (19-21).

A few weeks ago, Kathy Benson, a fellow student in my physical science 100 class, came up to me after class and said she had some interesting news for me...

Before I go any further, I might add that Kathy is mother who's children are all out of the house and her husband is a Bishop in one of the (many) BYU wards. Anyway, one day she told me, "Fred! I have this friend that I really want you to meet. She's cute! She's fun! And I have told her ALL about you! What do you think?"

I replied, "Well Kathy, sounds good... Talk to her and let me know what's up..."
To be honest, I didn't think to much about at the time as I figured that the arrangement would never take place; either Kathy would forget about it or I would. And I know that I most definitely would...
This past Monday before class, Kathy walked up to me with her phone in hand and said, "Ok, Fred! Here's Mary Beth's number. She is expecting a call from you. This is now out of my hands. By the way, Fred, Mary Beth is 24 years old."
(Oh man... this is serious... I'm actually supposed to call her?! Freak! Oh man.... Um.... Wait! What?! She's 24?! Really?! Sweet!)

I replied, "Oh, ok Kathy. Sounds good...."

Kathy asked, "Fred, would you like to see what Mary Beth looks like?"

Hesitantly, I replied, "Yes..."

Kathy proceeded to log in to her Facebook account and show me pictures of Mary Beth...
I stared at the computer screen with my jaw dropped all the way to the floor...

Later that evening...

I thought about what I would say when Mary answered the phone...

"Hey Mary! This is Fred!"
(No, that doesn't work... I don't want her to think I'm some overly excited freak...)

"Hello, is this Mary Beth?"
(Of course it is, you idiot!)

"Hey! Mary Beth? Hi, this is Fred..."
(maybe that could work. perhaps a combo of the three...)

Now, I don't remember how the conversation went as far as what was said, but it suffices to say that it went well. Mary Beth and I talked for a few minutes and even shared a few laughs. A date was set and that is now what I await. Let's see what happens...

This morning when I woke up, I looked down at my phone and was surprised to see that I had received a text message from Mary Beth...
(Oh great, she must have seen what I looked like, on Facebook. Damn! She's probably texting me because she's no longer interested in going out on a date with me).

Hesitantly, I opened the text message. It read, "Ha ha ha. best message ever."
Confused, I thought for a moment about what she was talking about. I realized that she was referring to the voice message I had left her when I had first called her.

I replied, "Well thank you, ha ha. I tried pretty hard to leave a solid message lol."

She responded, "ha ha ha I can tell. BYU's English department is doing wonders for your speech!"
(Man, I haven't even met this girl and I like her. She's got a solid sense of humor...)

For the rest of the day, Mary and I exchanged some texts...
The date is set for Tuesday Feb 16, 2010...

I've heard it said that "Age is just a number..."
What are my opinions on this saying? Well, I don't have one...
Come Tuesday, however, I will know for sure...