situation with my colleague 2

[MortalEnemy]

Because you asked for it with such vociferousness, and the other thread, astonishingly, is nearly full...

As someone who had a painfully slow courtship from DH of now 33 years :) in a very similar sounding, scientific, high profile work environment for both of us. I think he is SO into you. He really, really is.

Can't give too much details as would out myself, but yes, the guarding your back, the sending the team to help you in an uncomfortable situation, the noticing things, the wonderful written notes and phone chats ( pre email/text for us, although we were at the forefront of internet usage, it had to be kept for work only), the general showing how he feels about you, even though inarticulate and shy trying to say how he feels.

Mine summoned up his courage to actually declare himself (interestingly, it took a change of department for me, with an office move to another site ! I had a similar " don't go" declaration) after about a year of all this. A month or so of a bit more intimate stuff ( meals, drinks, outings to stuff) An office party followed (NYE) where he made it clear ( with my prior agreement!) we were An Item. We went home together that night :)

A year and a bit later, we were married :)

Strawberry ODFOD

I had similar courtship lasting possibly a year - we are married with four children lol
The only difference I suppose that neither of us had children, so less difficulties dating!! 😁

What language do you speak to each other - in addition to English? - it's German, isn't it?

German is the least romantic language ever. It's going to be German - Rumple is def going to speak German.

In my mind, Mortal and Rumpled are either Irish/Gaelic speakers or Spanish.

De-lurking here. Mortal writes so beautifully, I assumed her first language must surely be English, but I too am intrigued as to this other language. Will it be too outing to tell us, Mortal??

That update!

I'm hopping from foot to foot, hand flappy, and grinning.

Not saying about language, sorry.

And I don’t see the ‘beautiful’ comment as wildly significant — I think he was just being nice to someone who’d gone to an uncharacteristic effort only to have it wrecked! And lest you overthink it, he also intermittently cracked up laughing over the fact that, to make the snow boots even vaguely fit, I was wearing two pairs of stripy rugby socks. I tell you, it was a seductive look.

That's why it's true love. He still thought you were fab even in rugby socks!!

I think your snow outfit sounds hilarious. Still, Rumpled got a good look at you in your vest and new bra combo, so all good.

How was the conversation over your Cheistmas dinner? Did it flow?

Bloody hell woman, I've assumed a man finds me attractive on far less than a 'you looked beautiful' and never been disappointed yet. Just go to his office on Monday and say 'I love spending time with you, lets go out for dinner before Christmas'. He should bite your hand off.

In my fantasy the language is Italian. A rumpled Italian sounds nice.

I've always thought Indian. Don't know why.

Uh...it is obvious that he likes you...you need to be more obvious back. I feel sorry for the guy. You should have told him that he didn't look too bad himself.

Irish I reckon. He said you’re beautiful 😍

I know you don’t want to give away the language but I think you’re Welsh speakers.

I also think your relationship is developing really nicely. Just keep on being your lovely self and let it happen in its own good time.

I reckon they are both Scandinavian. Utterly loving this thread and good luck to you Mortal.

I've assumed middle eastern of some sort!

We are rapidly covering the entire planet!!

Fab update Mortal. So sorry the carefully planned dress got kiboshed but Rumpled rose to the occasion by complimenting it (and by proxy, you) even though you were no longer wearing it. It is blindly obvious that he fancies you. Do you ever compliment him?

Please leave it with the languages and guesses of country of origin, everyone. I’m freaking out at the sheer number of people who are reading this already — all these silent readers came out of the woodwork on the new thread — and wondering who might identify us. Though also tickled at the sheer amount of terrain being covered.

Yes to those who asked, I do compliment R, on all kinds of things.

A new MN definition: "to go the whole Somerville": a long, sweet, well-written series of threads culminating in love, marriage and a baby carriage.

As you were.

Languages are not relevant, leave it alone nosy posters. Accept most people change the odd detail, I most certainly do.

Love this update, have to agree he seriously likes you!

Whatjakeballardswifesaid. The best writer in the English language I know speaks German as her first language. So don’t guess, just enjoy.

Can you invite him to yours for dinner and drinks? I know he lives far from you but obviously if he accepts you will both have the understanding it's probably gona lead to hanky panky ;)

Ignore us with our language guesses. We're all in our own heads!