So... there's this guy...

Dating can be tough. In the beginning you're always on your best behavior trying to impress, and slowly the not so glamorous stuff starts to come out. Make it or break it time, I like to call it. But for those of us dealing with dietary restrictions, it becomes a little more difficult to hide, considering that most dates involve sharing a meal or drinks (beer, anyone?). If you have it down, and go out to eat regularly, it might be easy to just suggest restaurants that you know are safe, and choose your go-to meals. Sooner or later the truth comes out and I've had mixed reactions to the news that I can't eat a lot of the stuff that "normal" people eat. For the most part, guys have been understanding of my situation. I have not really experienced a situation where a guy was turned off by it, however I do know one girl that literally had a beer thrown in her face when she told the guy why she had ordered a cider. That situation disgusts me, but if a guy has balls enough to throw a beer in a girl's face on a first date because she can't have gluten, imagine what other whack job tendencies he has going on...

However, when you find a guy that not only understands what you are going through, but then goes a huge step forward and offers to cook you dinner... hold onto him and don't let him get away!! This past Saturday I enjoyed a fine dining experience like none I've ever experienced before. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and champagne to start, brussels sprouts, baked sweet potato fries, pork chops, and wine for dinner, sorbet and fruit for dessert. Hands down the best date of my life so far. And I'm not just saying that because I told him I'd give him the link to this site and he'll eventually read this. I swear.

But the real reason I'm sharing this story with you, is because this guy has a great sense of humor and put together this little comic that I thought was hilarious and I think you all would appreciate as well. Sometimes being so restricted gets me down, but things like this make it a lot easier to deal with.

Apologies if you are sensitive to some of the language in this comic.

In this situation, I was up front right away about the Crohn's and the diet and all of that. It just all came out on our first date and as it turns out, he has IBS. He does not eat a restricted diet, and I would never tell anyone else how to eat, he's a grownup and can make his own decisions. I will however continue to be a good role model and if he makes lifestyle changes of his own then I think that's awesome. It's a running joke in my family that all of our conversations turn to shit, well I finally found the guy that I can talk shit to and he won't even mind. I think I've got a keeper here... :)