First Date Made in Heaven
I first spoke to this girl and got her number on 1/28/12. I was gone for nearly two weeks straight for business travel so I took her out for the first time when I returned back home and our first date was 2/11/12
I live in the Philly area and sometimes location, location, location is key. This couldn’t have been more perfect.
First date – 2/11/12
I drove the hour that it took to get to her place from mine and I met her at the door with a single rose. She asked me to step in while she put the rose in water and then finished doing whatever it is that you gals do (and that we guys appreciate).
Our dinner destination was nearly an hour away so I first took her to a place that was only a few minutes from her place where I had reservations for us to have a glass of wine. We enjoyed our conversation over wine and cheese and then soon departed for our dinner destination. She is an artist and the restaurant I chose is located directly adjacent to the property of a large sculpture park. The grounds of both are actually connected. I found out previously that she had not yet been to the place that I took her.
It snowed as we drove and by the time that we arrived for dinner, an inch or two of snow had accumulated on the ground. Everything looked fresh and perfect and peaceful. As the snow was coming down, I dropped her off at the door and parked the car (there was no valet). The feel of the restaurant was somewhere between lodge and castle and each cozy dining room in the restaurant had a fireplace. The dinner atmosphere was quiet and cozy. After desert, I made the suggestion that we take a walk around the back of the restaurant. I had been there before and I knew that there is a small pond and footbridge that is supposed to be reminiscent of Monet‘s lilly pond.
It had stopped snowing and we walked around the pond and noticed that gate to the sculpture park was open so we walked in. All of the pathways were lighted and again with the fresh fallen snow everything looked so perfect under the thin blanket of snow. Ours were the only footprints to be found. At one point we were standing under a large tree and I told her that when I had been there before that I had noticed that there were peacocks and hens walking around but that was during warmer weather and we both then wondered what was done with the birds during the winter. I next noticed that perched up over our heads were four pairs of peacocks and hens! They all had their feathers puffed up and were looking down at us. It was truly magical. She took out her camera and attempted to take pictures but it was too dark to capture. I’ll spare the details from this point but it was very romantic along with some humorous moments.
Long story short, it is now two months later. I am still seeing her and she’s wonderful!
I think a good first date doesn’t have to involve the typical “dinner and a movie”.
It’s important that the date include time to get to know each other (that is, talking/conversation time) and a movie just doesn’t lend that kind of time.
Dinner is good but it can be a little formal.
I think going for brunch and then doing something that you both enjoy (say, going to a museum or a carnival or going hiking).
The most memorable date for me was when the man showed up with flowers, and was a real gentleman, opening doors and being mannerly all evening.
…simple, huh
1. Tell her about the time you almost skidded off the overpass because you were trying to juggle a soft drink and a baloney sandwich.
2. Share your most embarrassing moments growing up.
3. Explain why the sky gets dark at night (Olber’s Paradox).
4. Discuss the implications of not helping the refugees of Kosovo.
5. Discuss whether cats make better pets than dogs, or vice versa.
6. Give her your favorite exotic scrambled egg recipe.
7. Play her a song from your favorite album.
Spices & Herbs
Other herbs and spices in your kitchen are natural breath enhancers. Carry a tiny plastic bag of cloves, fennel, or anise seeds to chew after odoriferous meals.
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Brush your tongue
“Your tongue is covered with little hair-like projections, which under a microscope look like a forest of mushrooms. Under the caps of the ‘mushrooms,’ there’s room to harbor plaque and some of the things we eat. That causes bad breath.”
How-to: While brushing, gently sweep the top of your tongue, too, so that you don’t leave food and bacteria behind to breed bad breath.
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Certain beverages
Coffee, beer, wine and whiskey are at the top of the list of liquid offenders. Each leaves a residue that can attach to the plaque in your mouth and infiltrate your digestive system. Each breath you take spews traces back into the air.
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Carry a toothbrush
Some odors can be eliminated—permanently or temporarily—if you brush immediately after a meal. The main culprit in bad breath is a soft, sticky film of living and dead bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums. Brush away the plaque after each meal and get rid of some of the breath problem.
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Create your own gargle
Mix extracts of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum (all available at health food stores) in equal proportions and gargle with the mixture four times a day. Keep the mouthwash in a tightly sealed jar at room temperature.
Even when you can’t brush, you can rinse. Take a sip of water after meals, swish it around, and wash the smell of food from your mouth
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Eat your parsley
Parsley adds more than green to your lunch plate; it’s also a breath-saver, because it contains chlorophyll, a known breath deodorizer. So pick up that sprig garnishing your plate and chew it thoroughly. Or toss a few handfuls (even add some watercress to the mix) in a juicer. Sip the juice anytime you need to refresh your breath.
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Chew a mint or some gum
Like mouthwash, a breath mint or minty gum is just a cover-up, good for a short interview, a short ride in a compact car or a very short date.
First Date Tips and Ideas
The anticipation of that first date is usually a combination of excitement and anxiety, all rolled into one internal package. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your first meeting is as stress free as possible.
Movie? – No No
The location of your first date can play a huge role in helping that all-important first meeting to go smoothly. Dinner and a movie seem to be the staple, no-brainer, idea when planning a date, but is this really the best possible scenario? First of all, during a movie, you aren’t getting to know the other person. Two people staring at a screen without speaking to each other for 90 minutes doesn’t sound like the ideal situation.
Instead, think fun. Your first date should be quiet enough to be able to talk, but fun and busy enough so that you two will have other things to focus on when those moments of awkward silence crop up.
Animal Attraction? – Yes Yes
Weather permitting; the local zoo is an excellent meeting place. It’s not usually overly crowded, there are benches on which to relax and talk, walking paths, plenty of animals to enjoy, and it’s not expensive.
Game Playing? – Yes Yes
How about the local arcade or putt-putt golf course? Many arcades have all of our old favorite video games inside the building, and go carts, batting cages, and even putt-putt golf outside. This can be the perfect, playful atmosphere for getting to know each other.
Do you both enjoy the same sporting events? Attending a hockey or baseball game will allow you to root for your favorite team together while having a bit of “getting to know each other” conversation time as well. You could even attend a little league sports complex, pack a cooler, and watch the little guys play.
Enjoying silly, spontaneous things like these, in a relaxed atmosphere can really put some stress free fun into your date, while allowing both of you to be yourselves.
Feeling safe should always be a serious consideration on a first date. Even though the voice on the other end of the phone sounds like citizen of the year, it’s always best to use safe practices.
A weekend date during daylight hours is perfect. Arrange to arrive in separate vehicles until you feel more comfortable with this person.Once the date has come to an end, keep this in mind: as long as the date went fairly well and there weren’t any obvious red flags, go ahead and plan for date number two.
There aren’t always fireworks during that first meeting. Some people quickly end what could have been a wonderful and fulfilling relationship just because they were looking for that instant “click” or “inner knowing.” More often than not, true and lasting relationships develop over time. The first date has a certain level of anxiety involved, and it may take until the third or fourth meeting for each of you to feel relaxed enough to really let your guard down.
