The 1st Date

Monique

Our first date was spontaneous, we didn’t have advance plans to hang out. So when he text me to ask if I was busy that day, I didn’t play hard-to-get, I just said, “I hadn’t made any plans yet.” Then he called and we made plans to meet at the NC Museum of Natural Science in downtown Raleigh.

During our date at the museum, I felt free with him. I talked openly about things I enjoy like going to the beach and traveling, and he shared his likes and stories about traveling with friends. We only had an hour to walk through the museum, and neither of us were ready for our time together to end. So in the midday late summer heat, we walked a few blocks to the park downtown. The park was filled with parents playing with dogs and babies. As we were admiring the dogs and babies, he told me about his dog Zion who had died a few years prior. He expressed his love for dogs and his desire to someday get an Akita. His love for dogs paled in comparison to his love for kids. He began telling me about his athletic and brilliant teenage son, and his creative and independent adult son. Then, what I wasn’t expecting to hear was his desire to be a father again and his openness to share that information on a first date. I was excited about how this revealed to me a lot about him as a caring father and compassionate man.

Steve

First dates can be awkward and uncomfortable. The most important thing about the first date is to BE YOURSELF! There is no need to place added stress on yourself by not being yourself. This really sets the foundation for your “to be or not to be” relationship.

I wanted our first date to be different. We looked up times at the downtown Museum and went there to see the sites. We engaged in good conversation about our families and our likes and dislikes. Afterwards, we weren’t ready for the date to end, so we walked to a nearby park that was recently renovated. We sat there on a bench and watched families play with their babies and their fur babies. While sitting in the shade, sipping Lemonade, we bonded even more. Our conversation got a little deeper regarding our personal goals, relationship goals and interests. Funny how much watching dogs and babies can bring out of you.

Engagement Photos