My nerves were just as shot as they were when I first met him, maybe even worse. My knees would not stop trembling, my fingers insisted on tapping, and my heart thudded continuously. My aunt kept shooting me concerned glances.

"Norah, you'll be fine. I mean, you obviously impressed Jack enough for him to ask you out, right?"

"I guess so… it's just… what if it becomes something more? That's crazy to me. This is the first first date that every really mattered to me."

"Like I said, you'll be fine. Just be yourself. I've been in your position before."

I turned to look at her. "You have?"

"I have. I don't tell this to many people, but I dated one of the guitarists in Def Leppard. It's a long story that I'll tell you later. I don't know how the hell it happened, really."

"It happened because you're… you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

I took a good long look at her short, curly blond hair, bright eyes, and fun demeanor. She looked younger than forty. She had always looked younger than what she really was. Aunt Deb had spent her most of her years traveling the world, doing odd end jobs, and staying up all night. She then moved to the one place where she finally felt at home, the beach. She always had a positive way of looking at things. She was always on the move. She never got married. She hardly ever dated. She was a positive role model. And she was much surer of herself when she was my age than I was.

"You're always so… confident. When you were my age, you knew what you wanted in life. You were fearless. You did crazy things."

She returned the look I'd given her moments ago. Her eyes burned right through mine.

"Stand up," she commanded, getting up from the bed herself.

"What?"

"Over to the mirror, now."

I followed her small frame across her bedroom to a full body length mirror by her closet. She stood behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders.

"Take a good look at yourself."

I did as she said, assessing myself. There was nothing new. My long dark hair was the same, my blue eyes looked the same, my curvy body looked the same. Except for all the makeup, the form fitting dress, and the heels, I was the same.

"What do you see?"

I took a breath. "I see a girl who's dressed up and nervous to go out on a date with the band guy she's had a crush on for a years."

"That's not what I see."

"What do you see then?" I asked.

"I see a beautiful young woman who doesn't give herself enough credit. She's confident, but she doesn't know it. She's accomplished so many things already and she's got so much to come. She's already had unforgettable road trips and nights out with her friends. She knows the meaning of life. She knows deep down that she can do whatever she wants. She knows she's going to be successful. She knows this because I tell her so."

I stared at her reflection for who knows how long. And then we were interrupted by the doorbell.

We both jumped.

"That'll be him. I'll go downstairs and let him in. Get your things."

I nodded, my heart pounding harder. Aunt Deb believed in me. I could do this. I grabbed my clutch, my phone, keys, cash, makeup, and camera all ready to go. I took one last look at myself before whispering, "This is it."

I made my way down the stairs, where I heard the murmurs of greeting.

My heart stopped when I landed on the last step and looked up.