John and I had a flurry of playful communication online and decided to finally meet in person. When we met at the coffee shop, I wasn't expecting a full day of hanging out with this guy. He walked in, and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. He was confident, my height, blue eyes and in shape. Great hair! John was extremely attentive to me, easy to talk to and seemed up for adventure. Keep in mind Germany is also a fairly romantic setting, it was pretty easy to fall for someone there.
John and I went from coffee to a wild life park, we fed a bear, watched the bird show (he translated some of the German for me), and walked among the beautiful deer in the park. All he while asking me questions, making sure I didn't slip, and telling me more and more about himself. At this point I thought the date was done, but he asked me to lunch. So I took him to our favorite Thai Restaurant. He loved it too, and we continued from there.
By the end of the night (Yes night), he had spent 12 hours on a first "date" with me. John also met my roommate, and they seemed to get along ok too. (Shout out to my bestie Liz) :D
Although it was a great day, I wasn't sure I would hear from him again. I'm never a good judge of these things. In the parking lot after I walked him to his car, I just hugged him and ran away. Just who I am. So when John started texting me the next day I was pleasantly surprised. From this point on we would be almost inseparable. We lived two hours from each other, but spent every weekend and holiday together. He made me feel pretty, he even made me feel "sexy" for the first time. I am tall and nerdy, so I mostly feel like a goofball. I felt confident, and he seemed to like everything about me. From the way I didn't wax my eyebrows, to the way I worked hard, he celebrated my accomplishments. I could do no wrong in his eyes. I was completely in love with this kind of love; hook line and sinker. In my 28 years, I had literally NEVER felt this way.
So, girl meets boy. Girl falls in love. Girl doesn't realize she's in for three years of emotional manipulation, mental abuse, lies.....This ladies and gentleman is what is known as the "built up" period. This is how a narcissist, a plotting and abusive person, gets their prey to love them. To stay no matter what. I was on a pedestal at this time, and I felt like a total goddess in his eyes. And it was all down hill from there...