Today, I have a bike ride planned.

Funny thing about riding my bike.  Sometimes, someone wants to actually ride with me!  It's kinda nice.  I think back to the last time I had a ride scheduled.  It was two months ago, June the 17th.  It was a liesure ride.  A friend asked me to come out for a ride and meet a friend of hers.  We'd ride bikes.  That was the deal.

We enver rode.  Instead, we went to Eat-n-Park, and I met this friend.  I asked her out, and she thought it was a good idea - she said yes.  The last two months of my life have been a blur.  Time spent with her has been utterly amazing, and with each dy I am surprised at her patience, her understanding, and most of all, her ability to lift my spirits.

I almost didn't go that day.  I almost stayed home where I would have missed out on meeting with a wonderful woman who has changed my life. I would have been just fine, of course, but would not have the joy I have come to know.  I am grateful for my friend, who thought to introduce us.  I am grateful for my sweetheart, who brings sunshine into my life and makes giving such a pleasure.

TAKE THE CHANCE.  We get up each day and go about our routine.  Take the chance to get out there and do things, meet people, make a change in your daily order.  Yes, there's a risk you might be hurt.  Yes, things might not go well.  Yes, it could always backfire.  Those are the things Fear will tell you.  And Fear's correct.  But what Fear doesn't tell you is that taking risks is a part of life, and that if you don't, you will forever be afraid.  Sometimes, you have to look Fear in the eye, and no matter what the consequences, no matter what might happen, you have to stare it down.  You have to look at it and say, "Do your worst - for I will do mine."

Tonight, I'm going bike riding with my sweetheart.  Finally.  This has been the best first date ever.