Love in the Time of Coronavirus

I finally met someone I like, but he lives in Boston. Air travel is risky these days. Do we stop seeing each other? Phone calls and video chat only gets you so far. 

But first, background. 

Ironically, I met this guy about 6 years ago when I was looking for a new apartment to escape my psycho ex who kept puncturing my tires (oh yes, a tire per week). I barely took note of him at the time. He had curly hair, blue eyes, and he was a health law lawyer. I was still a prosecutor back then. He was renting where I live now, and he seemed like a nice guy. We connected on LinkedIn, had a few phone calls during the transition process when I had questions about the community, and that was it. He moved back to Boston after his in-house counsel job here in town laid him off; he started his own practice, and now has clients in 3 states. He's still a small operation, but he is aggressively trying to grow his practice. I admire him for that. I never had the guts to start my own practice, mostly because I suck at rainmaking. I like to practice law; I hate business. 

Back in January (January 20, to be precise), we matched on Bumble. He reminded me of who he was; he looked so different. His curly hair was now gone and he was bald. He was 33 now, had nicer glasses, and he looked like he lost some weight and had toned up. He was visiting with his mom and stepdad. He was only in town for a few more days and asked if I'd like to meet. I said yes, and we met at a World of Beer for a drink on January 24.  

On that date, he told me that he wanted to find someone to have a serious relationship with; he wanted to settle down, and he needed to know if I wanted that or was I just looking to hook up. Everything he was saying was music to my ears. Settling down? Of course. I'm 35 and my eggs aren't getting any younger. Settling down with someone who has their life together? Sign me up. I told him I was, and he said, "I just want to make it clear, I'm not here to waste your time." Wowzers. 

After the date, we shared our first kiss, and in the month after, we shared many phone calls and text messages until his second visit in February. More phone calls and daily text messages. 

Then the coronavirus started growing in the US. At the time, I was going to run the London Marathon on April 26 and I would fly out to London on April 22. To see me before I left, he was going to fly to see me on April 16 and stay for 5 days. Then, the plan was that I would see him in May. Of course, the marathon was postponed and the airfares went dirt cheap in March. While talking on the phone earlier this week to plan for our May visit, I saw how cheap the fares were - $56 round trip. How could I say no? 

Well, the coronavirus is a concern. And yet, I bought the fare and we planned the weekend without thinking. 

And then the paranoia hit me. What if I catch it? And give it to him? And who knows who else? 

And what if I don't? 

And what if all domestic flights are grounded for months and we don't see each other? 

And what if... 

I decided to take the chance. I have as much risk catching it in the airport as I would running around the supermarket looking for some toilet paper. I'll take precautions - and hand sanitizer - and stay away from as many folks as possible. 

I'm excited to see him, and I haven't felt like this in a long time about anybody. My emotions are probably convincing me to do stupid things. 

This pandemic makes me realize, though, that a long-distance relationship is no joke. It takes more time and preparation than a local relationship would and can get disrupted way more easily, but it also makes the time together much more special. 

I hope the virus gets under control soon. 

For now, it's love in the time of coronavirus.