Not a Scary First Date Coffee Story!

From arena wins, bloodshot eyes needing a wakeup, spilling my Tim's down my blouse on the first day at a job, to seeing my staff's eyes light up when I surprise them with a Take Ten, I have lots of coffee stories.
This Timmy story is one of a beginning that I hope will never end.
I was nervous saying 'yes' to a first date with a friend that I had known for years. Nervous not to meet him, but nervous because he was in the 'Friend Zone'. Everyone knows when you're in the 'Friend Zone', the door opens only one way.
But I took him up on his offer for coffee at the Tim Horton's near both of us. I figured I knew how to get there, I was going to enjoy the coffee regardless, and it was Roll Up the Rim to Win time. How could I not accept? Even if it turned out 'weird' with that one-way door, he'd still be my friend, he was buying, AND I had the opportunity to score on a rim.
It was March and chilly, but the sun was shining so we took our hot Tim's outside.
We went for a walk along the creek just across the street; it was so beautiful bubbling and glittering in the sun, like it was waking up to spring.
And then he did it: he took my hand in his to keep it warm, while my coffee was attending the other one.
Wow! I thought it was so sweet to hold hands, showing me, showing everyone that to him, I was more than just a friend.
We walked and talked sharing stories about our separations, dating perils, and other tribulations of being single again. And we laughed and opened up about times that we experienced together, but didnt talk about out loud being in the 'Friend Zone'.
I didn't win a cup prize that day, but I am so grateful that I received so much more in him!
He and I are ecstatic to say that we're a couple, and no two people could be more happy or more appreciative of one another.
I will share something that I haven't told him yet: I love him.
So I guess for this story to come full-circle, I will have to tell him my feelings over a Tim Hortons coffee over breakfast. But it will have to wait until the timing is right. I just lost my job so now isn't the time.
But hopefully soon, on the day that I accept a job offer, I made a promise to open my heart to tell him then. Because then will be the perfect time for a new start in many ways with an old friend (the coffee) and a new love (rescued from the 'Friend Zone').
Funny what special times can begin with a Tim Horton's coffee. Btw, I can't wait to be able to surprise my new staff with a Timmy's Take Ten!