The Dating Game

July 29, 2010 - Boy talk about stress. Once you decide you are officially ready to date and you put yourself out there, and if, and this is a big IF, there is someone who actually is interested enough and wants to date you, then the stress is on. There are so many decisions to make and that is before you ever get to date night. I don't remember it being this hard when I was younger.

So, he calls and finally poses the question, would you like to go out? My heart stops for a second, I try to catch my breathe, and I become a total and complete imbicile. I can't think, no words will come out of my mouth. I mean, do I or don't I want to go out, simple question, yes or no. But where is out? What if I don't like what he has in mind. What if out means to his house to watch wrestling, or out means to go to Sam's club for free sample night? Is it rude to say, "maybe I will go out with you, it all depends on where you want to take me." Would that make me seem umm shallow? Something tells me that is not the right thing to do. So bravely, when I gain my composure, well, at least when I can breathe normally again, I say, "yes". And then, this person that you have been waiting and hoping for to ask you out, trys the 'dump' tactic. You know the 'dump' tactic, this is where he frees himself of the planning the date obligation and says, "Is there anything special you would like to do?". Hell yes there is, I am thinking. I would love to fly to Vegas, eat at any one of the incredible restaurants, do a little gambling, catch a show and make it home for brunch. Instead I say, "No, whatever you decide will be great." Do you think he knows I am not quite telling the truth? That I don't really mean any place will be just fine. Should I have said, "any place where food is not served on paper plates, you must wear a shirt and shoes at all times, and the dishwasher is not also the cook and the server?" Would that have been too direct? So, here is hoping, that he plans an incredible date, which really, just a nice dinner, glass of wine (preferrably white) and some good conversation would be just perfect. And here is hoping that I get through this first date, without choking on my dinner, spilling wine on myself (that's why I prefer the white), and some conversation that doesn't only center around my grandkids, who to me could not be a better topic.

I am excited about this dating thing, and at the same time I am terrified, but mostly I am hopeful. Many things have changed since my teen dating days, but some things have remained exactly the same....severe case of the 'what ifs'.