I've lost my mind!

Okay, I'm hoping that everyone that has ever read my blog will read it this evening and offer words of ...I don't know, whatever I need. I did something today that I still cannot believe. I'm just in shock. Heck, send your friends over here to offer their advice/comments too - I'll take what I can get.

Anyway, to give you a bit of background, I've always been told I look younger than I actually am. Most people think I'm about ten years younger than I really am. It's one of those things that I think people are nuts when they say that because I look in the mirror and see an old person but enough people have told me I look (ten years) younger, that I have to believe that maybe I do - at least at times.

I'm 46 (just turned) by the way.

So anyway, I was out of the office the last two and a half weeks. During that time they hired a temporary worker to help out. It was a man (which is a bit surprising but that's another story and not relevant to this one).

Monday was my first day back in the office and when I first met this man. He seems nice and all, very gentlemanly. But very quiet, soft spoken.

Today he sent me an email, subject line of "Question". Body of the email says something to the effect of "I want to asking you something. It's personal but it's driving me insane. It would need to be just between the two of us though. If you can't do that, that's okay. Let me know."

Now, he's in the office next to mine. When I've needed him over the last few days I just yell for him. He sends an email asking if he can ask a question. Ohhhh...kay.

I walked over to his office and our conversation went something like this:

Me: Yes? You had a question?

Him: Well, I wanted to put it in an email. (this was kind of weird to me because he has a question for me and I'm standing right there!) I just didn't know if I should.

Me: (law background piping in) If you're not sure you should, you probably wouldn't want to put whatever it is in writing.

Him: Oh. Okay.

Me: What was the question?

Him: I don't know if I should ask it.

Me: Why not? What is it? (because now I'm curious)

Him: Um, well, uh, how old are you?

Me: Why are you asking? (just curious...not suspicious or trying to be secretive or anything)

Him: I don't want to say.

Me: No really, why are you asking?

Him: Well, I wanted to know if you were available and would be interested in going out with me.

Me: (recalling how old he told us he was yesterday but wanting to confirm) How old are you again?

Him: Twenty-four.

It was at this point that I officially lost my mind. I believe it was about 2:08 Central Standard Time today. I'm a bit embarrassed to tell you my reaction but if I want honest feedback, I guess I have to give a full disclosure so here goes (taking deep breath).

Me: You know, I'm almost twice your age. I'm forty-six. (continuing talking without a break so that he can't voice anything negative, as the clock strikes 2:08 CST) But that's not a problem for me...the age difference. I don't have a problem with that. (did I really just say that???)

Him: It doesn't bother me either. (big grin on his face) (pause) and the other thing?

Me: That would be nice. (wait...did I really just agree to go out with someone HALF my age???)

Him: Okay. (he stopped talking here)

Me: Anything else? (thinking he might want to follow up on the question here)

Him: No, that's it.

Me: Okay. (goes back into my office, looks for brain and wonders what just happened)

I re-read his email and saw the "driving me insane" comment so I went back to his office to ask what he meant by that. When I stepped in the door he had a grin on his face and said, "I just sent you an email."

It was at this time that I pointed out that others could read my email and he might want to keep that in mind with anything he sent me. He appreciated the tip and I don't recall if I got an answer to MY question (although I did ask it).

When I went back into my office I had an email with the subject line of "Free" and body that said something like "When will you be free?" (which could be an innocent comment, if you didn't know the context of it, considering he's our "helper")

I gave no response before I left for the day (an hour or so later). Plus, it dawned on me he was born the year I got married!!! Not to mention that after the initial conversation and first email, I almost feel like he's trying internet date me. Anyway...

Am I nuts? Should I even consider going out with him? Please stop laughing long enough to leave comments/advice. And don't forget, send your friends. I need all the help I can get! LOL