Wade and I matched on a dating app called 'The League' (highly recommend for all the singles out there!). We talked on the app for a few days and when we decided we would meet up, Wade would not make a plan. He left it all up to me to schedule and plan out the date, he says he was trying to be a feminist, and make me feel empowered... I don't buy it.

I frantically googled breweries nearby we could go to and found one that sounded good. I gave him the address and time to meet. The night came and as I was driving from work to the brewery I got a little lost and was honestly put off because the brewery was located around a bunch of warehouses and businesses... not the typical Denver brewery locale.

As I pulled up to the brewery I saw this large dark truck, with heavily tinted windows backed into a spot. It was the only other car in the parking lot so I figured it was Wade. Second thing I noticed was the very dark, very abandoned looking brewery. Turns out the brewery closed not even a week before, which explains the empty parking lot. 'Great,' I thought, 'he totally thinks I am a catphishing murderer... omg, what if he is a catphishing murderer?!?! This would be the perfect situation to kidnap your date.'

As I planned my escape route, Wade popped out of the truck. 'He looks normal... a little nice even. Still could be a murderer, but less so.' With his appearance giving me slight reassurance, I hopped out of my car and walked towards him. I smile, say hi, and then proceed to word vomit probably the most embarrassing thing you can say as you meet someone on a first date:

"Well, looks like the brewery is closed. I'm so sorry, I had no idea. I hope you don't think I planned this and are now worried I'm going to murder you."

The words escaped my mouth before I even knew what I was saying.

Luckily, Wade is amazing (which I soon would find out), and he took my awkwardness in stride. I was too mortified to remember what he said back, but I am pretty sure he ignored the whole murder thing and simply commented on the newly closed brewery.

We pivoted quickly and found another restaurant/brewery nearby and caravanned to the new location. We had some drinks and appetizers and amazing conversation. I opened up to him about things I wouldn't tell anyone on a first date, we talked for hours. The date wrapped up and we made plans to see each other again. He forced a not so smooth kiss on me... I obviously forgave him for that one, and his kisses got much better over time.

It started off as something casual. Looking for someone to go on adventures with. Try new things. No real expectations.

I recently joined The League dating app. After the month-long wait for my account to get approved, I got a couple of matches.

Conversions quickly faded with all but one. It was this cute redhead that immediately reminded me of Lily from How I Met Your Mother.

I remembered showing off my matches and someone saying “you should go on a date with the redhead, she looks fun”.

After talking for a few weeks I vividly remember this HR Professional who enjoyed game nights, hiking and going to breweries. I was finishing up a work event and messaging her thinking it was time for us to go on our first date.

Talking was very easy with her and it felt right to meet in person. As I’m finishing up lunch after my work event, I was actually filled with emotions yet overpowered by peace. A quiet nervousness and excitement pulsed through my body as I was trying to find a halfway point to meet. She gave me her general location and work schedule and before I knew it this little fireball messaged me that she found just the perfect brewery to meet up at.

I said something along the lines of “it sounds like you put in a lot of time finding this place, sounds good to me!”. She recalls this event differently…

It was finally the night of our first date. I got there about 15 minutes early, if you know anything about my social anxiety I like to scope out the seating arrangement, know where my doors and bathrooms are beforehand. Maybe I’m always looking for an escape is where this anxiety comes from but this night was different. I realized when I pulled up to a dark warehouse district that was supposed to be this perfect and well researched brewery, that I didn’t have anxiety.

I just felt peace. Despite circling the block to make sure I was at the right place as no other cars were in the parking lot I did confirm I was at the correct place.

Minutes rolled by. With 6pm being our original meeting time it rapidly became 6:11pm. Getting impatient I messaged my friend saying I’m either about to get killed or I got ditched. A friend assured me that everything was probably just fine and like most girls she was probably running late because she wanted to look nice. She urged me to wait 5 more minutes.

I saw a silver car steak by and missed the entrance. Being in such a secluded place I assumed it was this redhead I was so curious to meet. Within a minute coming in the other entrance the silver car parked by the brewery which I quickly saw a hand written sign saying they were no longer open for business. Yikes. Great start to a first date. Now what?

As I slowly got out of my truck hoping not to scare her as I realized I backed in, tinted windows in a lifted truck and parked in the darkest possible parking spot (I could see my exits in the brewery at least).

The first thing I noticed about Lauren was her leather jacket and a gold colored necklace that said something. I think before either of us could talk we both moved in for a hug and I saw that her necklace said “I love you”.

Before I could process that, we quickly started making audible plans for our first date. Finding a place a few blocks out of the warehouses and closer to civilization.

I followed her and noticed she had California license plates. I recalled thinking that she was from Arizona and was thinking oh boy, what would my family think of me dating a Californian?

And that necklace, was this something for fun or did it have meaning behind it? I was curious to find out.