My Very Own Cowboy Cassanova
So Valentine’s Day didn’t exactly go as planned. Was I let down, yeah… it sucked cupid’s big fat arrow. Permanently scarred? …Puullease. I admit in the beginning I was a little peeved that I got so wrapped up in a false (and admittedly self-created) image of another Mr. Knockoff but a couple nights (i.e. filled with Cabernet de jour) with the girls and I had to struggle to find a way to justify my interest in him to begin with. It’s a common mistake, really, I suppose we always present the best side of ourselves to others. In this case, he left out a few important details, some predictable… some surprising. I’m not saying he’s exactly Dr. Evil but I’ll pass on giving him another chance down the road… which I’m sure he’ll want.
Either way, miraculously I ended up having a fantastic Valentine’s Day. And in true Independent Belle fashion, we’ll choose to proudly learn our lessons from those deemed unworthy and focus our attention on those who deserve it. Nuff said…
My Valentine’s Day started Saturday night at my friend, Jim’s, house. Not only did he fix me fabulous cosmopolitans all night and shower me with compliments but he also introduced me to a ton of new people, which is always tops in my book. Before the end of the evening, my friends Jim, Eric, and Kent decided they would take me to brunch for Valentine’s Day. I think we can all agree that three handsome gentleman trump one any day.
Honestly though, I had a great Valentine’s weekend and my three handsome friends reminded me of something very important… I deserve nothing short of happiness. I know, I know… we say it all the time and I’m the first one who preaches not to compromise but even an Independent Belle like myself has been known to let the line get a little grey.
It starts so innocently… he falls through on a small commitment but has a good excuse about why… and you accept it. You tell yourself to shake it off and remain positive. Next thing you know… the terms of endearment are harder to pick out of the conversations, and you start getting a little insecure and asking yourself, “Is it just me or did he used to be sweeter to me, more of a gentleman?” Finally, you’re doing your best to focus on the positives and not dwell on the negatives. …And Belles, this is the point where you know you have a definite Mr. Knockoff. Cut your losses and go call someone who is guaranteed to cheer you up, the sooner the better.
Which is exactly what I did. I surrounded myself with people who knew me as well as I knew myself and wouldn’t let me get down and out over some wishy-washy guy. I surrounded myself with friends who made me laugh. I laughed so hard that tears filled the corners of my eyes and my cheeks turned pomegranite red. And before I even got a chance to change his ringtone… that pang of disappointment had faded to pure indifference. (I did, of course, change his ringtone… he’s now Cowboy Cassanova by Carrie Underwood.)
This all took about a week, which lets face it… is more time than Mr. Knockoff deserved but it is what it is. My wounds have healed and that dreamy image has been replaced with the clear reality that I may not ever understand what happened or why. What I do know is that he did me a favor in the end, and for that, I can only say thank you…
On February 24th, 2010 at 2:55 pm Art said:
Spoken like a true Belle! Did you always have such a good grip on things?
On February 24th, 2010 at 5:18 pm Independent Belle said:
Well thank you, but I’m just learning as I go. My favorite quote has always been, “When you know better, you do better.” It’s the truth, ya know?