I know what it feels like to have the sort of night you've just described, Kenneth - there's a certain 'performance pressure' which makes it very difficult to relax and just go with the flow..., and things don't always go according to plan as a result. It's always a bit of a risky business when you're dealing with real emotions, but it sounds like you handled things like a real pro and a gentleman... I like the little details you've included in your story, like the fact that you couldn't stand anything on the radio on the way home 'for some reason'... I can relate to that - sometimes you just want to be alone with your thoughts...
Hopefully you two won't find it too difficult to stay in touch after Nicole moves... geography isn't my strong point, but even I know that Georgia is a long way from Seattle... however, the fact that you both acknowledge how much you mean to each other before she goes is a really great thing - unfortunately, separation and being able to handle difficult emotional situations is a part of adult life... but so is being able to stay friends with someone you care about without necessarily being 'boyfriend-girlfriend', and being there for each other in the future - even if you live far apart.
Good luck to you both - I'm lucky enough to still have some friends from back when I was 18, and they mean a hell of alot to me today...
