The Beginning

"This is Antonio from Institute" were the words that Katrina heard three years ago as Tonio called her to ask her out on our first date. Tonio proceeded to ask if Katrina had plans for Friday evening (March 2, 2007). Katrina wasn't busy and as you know, she can never lie so she said "yes" to the invitation.
Tonio showed up on the executive button. He allowed her to ride in his best friend, Chewie. Right away Tonio made Katrina his co-pilot. She was in charge of pushing the Force Field Button that started the Imperial March from Star Wars.
As we drove to Crystal City, VA for dinner Tonio commented on how much he liked the small town feeling of D.C. I guess D.C. is the middle ground between Mexico City and Rexburg, ID.
We ate at a Spanish Tapas restaurant. It was Katrina's first time having Tapas (little appetizer dishes). She was taken back when she noticed that three slices of cheese cost $8. Katrina thought it was a little too fancy for a first date. Tonio was clearly trying to impress.
After dinner Tonio suggested going to a movie. Katrina said," Rock on Babylon!" and we made our way to the Regal Potomac Movie Theater. We watched "Breach", a most appropriate movie for any DC resident.
After the movie, Tonio was not done with Katrina so he suggested to get some dessert. Clearly he was having a good time and Katrina was fascinated by how witty this guy from the True South was. We went to the Madelaine in Old Town Alexandria and each ordered a dessert (after all, everybody knows how awkward it would be to share the same dessert on a first date). During our conversation Tonio made clear that he was having a good time and he started talking about future activities we could do together. Alas, Katrina had to let Tonio know that there was a very good possibility of her returning to Utah in June. Tonio asked whether it was definitive. Katrina said that it wasn't yet to which he replied "we still have time to change your mind". What did he mean by that? Was he planning on using an old Jedi mind trick on Katrina? That would have been futile. And why did he refer to himself on the third person plural? Things were starting to get a little weird, especially when he said "But I am not in Utah!" Hello! First Date! You want me to go running home? Where is my pepper spray?
To be true, Katrina was flattered by the attention but she was also a little surprised on how forward Tonio was on that first date. Tonio, on his part, was always keeping it cool.
Before dropping Katrina home, Tonio asked Katrina whether she had read "Bridge to Terabithia". She mentioned that she had not and that she was interested in the book. Tonio suggested to stop by his place and that he would lend her a copy of the book. Katrina was a little suspicious at the beginning. She thought "you want me to go where? Where is my teaser?"
But Tonio mentioned that he did not live alone, which was comforting, until Katrina realized that Tonio's roommate was a one-foot tall replica of R2D2. "Where is the exit?"
Katrina finally got a hold of the book after being shown Tonio's vast Star Wars memorabilia (he calls the dolls "action figures"). Katrina is herself a Star Wars fan (she has a golden bikini in Idaho, and a crush on Han Solo), but she thought this was a little too much.
Eventually, Tonio dropped Katrina off at her place. After saying good bye Katrina noticed that Tonio was still following her up the stairs "was this guy hoping for a good night kiss? He already got a hug" thought Katrina. However, she was relieved when she noticed he was just being a gentleman and was merely waiting for her to be inside her home before taking off.
All in all, it was a great date. We had a lot of fun despite the quirky moments. Alas, Katrina made her move to Utah, but that is another story...