First Dates

Yesterday, Richard and I saw the new musical production "First Date" at the ACT theatre here in Seattle.  It was really funny.  It exaggerated and made fun of all the awkward moments in a first date: first impressions, greeting (hug or handshake), what you talk about, "googling" your date, old romantic history coming back to haunt you, who pays the bill, etc. 

I have to admit, it was really nice to watch an awkward first date while being comfortably married. Couple dating is a whole different ballgame.  We go on a lot of couple first dates, and some of them yield second dates, and some of them end up being just a "positive experience."  In that sense, I have become an expert in asking couples out, and to tell you the truth, I am pretty confident about what Richard and I have to offer.  We even have a couple of steadies now!! My best pick up line for couples is "hey, you guys seem really interesting and we would like to get to know you better-- want to come over for dinner?"  I have never been turned down (and yeah, its probably the food factor...).

Anyway, watching "First Date" made me think of my first date with Richard, and the conclusion I came to is that Richard must have been SO convinced that we were meant for each other that absolutely nothing was going to deter him from his chosen objective (marrying me).  Because our first date will live in infamy for its awkwardness.  I never should have gotten a second chance.  And believe me, the awkwardness was all me.  Richard was a perfect gentleman and very charming and charismatic.  He had planned out a wonderfully romantic first date for us, and I pretty much thwarted him at every turn-- because I too had an objective from which I could not be deterred.

I knew Richard was serious about dating me.  He had made it perfectly clear the night before when he had kissed me (just a peck-- he's a gentleman, remember!) and then asked me out after a perfectly innocent evening of playing Monopoly with friends.  So I knew he meant business when he picked me up for our date.  And I was ALL business!  I'll bet he didn't know that "grilling" was on the menu for dinner that night.

We went to the top of a mountain where he spread out a table and picnic dinner for us.  He would talk about the stars, I would ask him about his professional goals.  He would tell me I looked beautiful, and I would ask him about his relationship with his mother.  He would talk about music and I would ask him about his testimony of Jesus Christ.  And then when he answered me, I would ask him to relate 5 experiences from his mission that illustrated the principles he just described.  If given time, I am sure I would have asked him for his resume and a list of references.

You think I am exaggerating....I wish I was!

The pinnacle of the evening came when he was taking me home.  He asked me a question and I didn't know the answer so I responded with "you've got me."

and he said "I do?"

and I started freaking out and saying "NO, I didn't mean that!!  I take it back.  I can't be beholden to that statement.  No contract, no contract, no contract!!"

You think I am exaggerating....still not exaggerating.

And yet, I stand by my first statement that Richard must have been so convinced that I would return to normal at some point, that no amount of awkwardness would deter him from his objective.  In fact, I would not be surprised if Richard from the year 2030 had visited him from the future to tell him to pursue me and to not be disturbed by my alien nature and lack of sense of humor. 

And it did get much better!

Anybody else have good first date stories?