Monday, August 22, 2011

{ DATE #19: Erik Gagon }


By now I’ve explained that I’m very open to guys with different physiques and looks. However, the one thing that I’ve always struggled with is height. I hate to admit this, but it’s just my hang up – we’ve all got them, right? I’ve dated a couple of guys in the past that were my height, or even just a tad shorter. They were amazing, great guys and we dated for some time, but in each case it hasn’t worked out, and it has been somewhat related to the height. Not exclusively, but it was a factor. I’m open to the fact that maybe someday it will work though. My matchmaker, Miss Tristen Ure (a.k.a. The Mormon Matchmaker) knew this was a growth opportunity for me, and so she sent me on a date with Erik Gagon, knowing that he is shorter than me. I can tell you that the height actually really didn’t bug me. Part of it for me, is that as a girl you want to feel feminine, petite, and protected. So typically a guy that is bigger than you helps you feel that way. Erik has thick, broad shoulders, a striking jaw and just really manly features that helped me still feel feminine by comparison. He’s certainly stronger than me!

I definitely find Erik attractive. I know that when his application video was posted he was tagged as being the most handsome applicant. I think the fact that his mom is Brazilian contributes to his striking looks. One of my favorite features though is actually his voice. There’s just something about it that I find really appealing, but I don’t even know quite how to articulate why. I said on Mike’s post date that I don’t normally notice eyes, which is still the case, but Erik’s caught my attention as well. It wasn’t the color though, it’s just that he always has this sparkle in his eyes. They go well with his big smile that instantly warms you up to him.

When we got into the car (a nice big Suburban that all of the crew piled into), Erik informed me that we were heading off to Payson, to go hiking and cliff jumping in Box Canyon. Based on what I’d been told to wear I had suspected that it would be something like this and was thrilled at the idea! The sad thing was that Erik explained that the original plan was to go skydiving. Yes, you read it right, Erik was going to pay for us to both go SKYDIVING! I’ve never been but have wanted to for a long time. Unfortunately I’d only taken a half day off of work, not a full day, and so we couldn’t fit it into the time. I was bummed, but was super impressed just by the fact that he would have been willing to do that for me – without even knowing me.

As we drove for a little over an hour to Payson, I continued to be impressed by Erik. He didn’t serve a mission until he was 23. My brother-in-law once told me that any of the guys that served in his mission and had left later than age 19, were super solid in their faith. They had obviously not gone just because they were supposed to. They had each made a decision to go of their own free will. Now, this is not to say that missionaries at 19 didn’t make that decision as well and aren’t just as faithful, but it seems even more fail proof for those that go later. As we talked about his true conversion to the Gospel and his faith, I could tell just how sincere he was. He really opened up and we were able to talk about a lot of personal spiritual experiences and thoughts that we wouldn’t normally share during a first date. But I felt like I could trust Erik completely. It was a wonderful feeling and interchange.

The time in the car flew by and the next thing I knew we were in Payson and ready to go hiking. The difficulty was that we’d gotten a call that day from a radio station, KTAR 620 AM who wanted to interview us. They wanted to meet us back in Mesa and in order to do so we had to really rush. So if you feel like we’re trucking up the path in the video, it’s because we were! We didn’t have time to get to the biggest jumps, which was too bad. Erik is extremely brave and I’m sure he would have done the biggest cliffs. But we only had time to do a small one (that I wasn’t willing to jump off of, given how shallow it was), and then one other. We made the best of the short time though. Erik was fun and flirty with me, splashing me with water, and we dunked each other a couple of times. He showed off his strength by effortlessly heaving me up on his shoulder. Everything about the day was just so enjoyable so far! But, it was time to get back down to Mesa.

Erik had brought his brother-in-law along as a tour guide, since Erik had never done the hike before. In order to get us back to Mesa faster, his brother-in-law offered to drive (he wouldn’t be distracted with chatting it up with a date). So Erik and I got to climb in the very back of the Suburban. I’ve never been chauffeured on a date before but this turned out to be a great setup! We were able to just talk and laugh. Part of the time I had to reapply makeup and try to make myself look somewhat presentable again in order to be ready for the interview. Yes, it was on radio, but I didn’t want to look haggard after being in the water. Add to that the fact that my next date was picking me up RIGHT after I would be getting home, I had to take advantage of the time. Erik was so nice to not feel slighted while I multi-tasked with putting on makeup and chatting. He was actually really sweet to tell me that I looked good no matter what.

The interview was a great experience. The interviewer has said it would only be 5-10 minutes but we ended up talking with him for an hour! He just found the whole concept and our faith so fascinating and kept asking questions. He was actually a really interesting guy and I wished that we’d had more time to talk and get to know him, but by now we were running really short on time! Erik did so well with the interview though. He gave honest and sincere answers and was well spoken. I was really glad that he was my date that got to do the interview with me. He helped me feel relaxed and able to really enjoy the experience.
I’m a big fan of Erik. I think he was a fan of me too…hopefully so because I’m feeling pretty good that Erik’s going to get an invite back for a 2nd date. I just hope he would accept!

16 comments:

Kim Messick said...

What a fun date! That guy seemed to really show interest in Ashley and what they were doing! I liked his answers on the interview too! Good job!

Emily said...

Good date! They seem to like each other. He seems really fun.

Angie said...

Love, love, love, love, love him. Maybe it's just because I think he's cute. But I am a big fan of Eric.

Joanna said...

I loved seeing some flirting! And, it was nice that Ashely received his flirting well and there wasn't any awkwardness. Erik and Ashley look great together! Definitely looking forward to date #2 with these two.

Andréa Morrow said...

nice dance at the end :)

Lizzy said...

Ashley has said she needs someone to keep up with her. She needs someone to help her relax and calm down. Erik seems to be the man to do it.

Ash said...

aww i love him!

Unknown said...

Creeping myself out a little how I kept rewinding Erik's driveway dance and watched it over and over and...

Rachel said...

I'm happy about this guy. Their feelings seem pretty mutual which is good to see. And they're both pretty adventurous so they'd be a great match! I feel like he treats her with more respect and honesty than some of the other (also great) guys who have attracted her interest from the start. Go Erik!

The Williams Family said...

My favorite date so far! Great chemistry and flirting. Look forward to date #2.

H said...

An eternity of wearing [cute] flats only is a small price to pay to be able to spend forever with those abs...

Kari said...

What a fun guy! I thought these 2 were well-matched. The height difference didn't even stand out to me, at all. Though I ordinarily do pay attention to that sort of thing.

Jenny P. said...

Coming out of lurkdom to say that Heather's comment is the best. one. ever.

Yung Nani said...

Knowing erik I know he usually goes for super hott girls, knock your socks off kind of women with hot bodies lol

so im sure this was a learning experience for erik too trying to adjust to a nice girl with a sweet spirit.

nevertheless it seems like theyll at least be friends.

your the man GAGON!!!

Heather said...

Awesome date! I just wish he kissed her on the porch at th end of the date..next time?

Suzanne said...