Nothing but the Real Thing

Tonight I am going on a real date. This is the first in a bit of a short while. Not just a meeting, a first meeting but an actual, let's have dinner and conversation and get to know you date. I'm excited about it.

It seems a lot of the recent offers have been, "Let's meet for drinks and see if we click, then we can go watch movies at my place."

My response has been, "Uh, no. How about taking me on a real date?" I am not expecting a big shelling out of cash or some fancy place. Just a bit more time than a drink takes to drink to get to know each other, to talk and to laugh and find out if I actually like you and if you actually like me.

I have been told to get out of the dark ages and that we are consenting adults and that there is nothing wrong with having a little fun while we look for the one. It has led me to question my own standards and wonder if they are too high. Am I asking too much in this day and age for a bit of wooing and courtship before "watching movies" with a stranger I may not even like or respect or who may not care in the least for me? I don't believe I am insisting on too much at all. I am not asking for anything I am not willing to give.

I am excited about this date due to an embarrassing incident that my potential suitor handled quite well.

I have a new phone; my daughter bought it for me for Christmas. I was bringing my other daughter home from work when I received a text from Mr. Potential when he asked if he could call a bit later than usual due to work. I was at a stoplight and decided to speak text and started to tell him it was fine when my daughter and I started arguing. The microphone picked it all up. I pulled over into a church parking lot, attempting to delete the argument when I accidently sent the message. Then I started laughing while my daughter is yelling, "What is so funny? What is wrong with you?" I tried to explain as I am texting again that I didn't mean to send that text. I couldn't even speak I was laughing so hard as I handed my child the phone to read what just was sent. I couldn't drive for a while as we sat in the dark laughing hysterically.

"He's a comedian. I hope he found that funny instead of thinking I'm nuts." I explain to my daughter. He literally is a professional comedian. "I hope it doesn't scare him away."

Mr. Potential called a short time later, "What was that?" I started laughing all over again and he joins me. A brave man. "Are we still on for tomorrow?" You betcha.

While making plans, simple plans to meet at a kind of crummy bar and pizza place I chose, I tell him it's not a great place but its quiet enough we will be able to hear each other. He responds, "it doesn't matter about the place, it's about the company and conversation." My thoughts exactly and I am appreciative that he did not suggest we go to his place and "watch movies" instead.

I am willing to take time to get to know someone before jumping into things. I have so much appreciation for the gentlemen of this world, who will take the time to get to know me first too. It's not old fashioned. It's just what a real date is.

To be continued…

Monika M. Basile