Letters To My Future Husband: Letter #111

Dear Mr. Melissa Blake:
So about our first date. Did it seem daunting to you? I’m sitting here in October 2010, and even though it hasn’t even happened yet, just the idea of it seems incredibly daunting. Well, maybe daunting is too strong of a word. Vomit-inducing? May cause dizziness or drowsiness? Should not handle heavy machinery? Talk to your doctor if you experience any or all of the above?

All I’m certain of is that I know I’m probably going to put a lot of pressure on myself for that all-important (at least in my head…) first date.

But does it really have to be like that? What were you thinking before our first date? Were you as nervous as I was? Knowing me, during the date, I probably tried (maybe without much success) to pretend like I’d gone on thousands of dates, and that you were just one in a line of millions of suitors vying for my precious affections.
But no pressure. Really, Sweetpea. I’m really a pretty laid-back gal once you get to know me. Don’t worry. I won’t expect you to pick me up for our date in some elaborate horse-drawn carriage. I don’t even care if you bring me flowers; in fact, the whole flowers thing might be a bit on the nose, don’t you think? What I do want is for our first date to be a low-key chance for us to get to know each other. So to that end, here are my Top 3 Date Ideas (feel free to look at me now and tell me if I’m completely off base):

Ice Cream Date
I love ice cream. Maybe a bit too much. So how awesome would it be to get a scoop of our favorite flavor and just sit in a little ice cream shop, talking and laughing? There wouldn’t be the pressure of sitting in some schmancy romantic restaurant trying to make awkward small-talk over candlelight and straining our eyes to read the menu that we can barely read because of said candlelight. With ice cream, we don’t have to be serious.

Stroll Through The Park Date
Well, you’ll stroll and I’ll roll. I love walking through the park in the fall when the leaves are changing and there’s a crispness to the air. Or, in the spring, when all the flowers are blooming and the weather is heating up. Or, in the summer when we can stop and relax in the sun. OK, basically, I enjoy walking (oops, rolling…) in any season except winter. I love the idea of it being just the two of us (Oh, and that’s a prerequisite for the entire date in general, Sweetpea), no hand-holding on date number uno, of course, but don’t be surprised if I just happen to talk your ear off.

County Fair Date
I’ve never been to one. In my entire life. Sad, I know, considering I pride myself on being such a Midwestern gal. But it’s true. I’ve never tasted pie from the pie-judging contest. I’ve never plucked pink cotton candy from a stick while staring down at the festivities from the top of a ferris wheel. And I’ve certainly never won a giant stuffed panda because of my dart-throwing skills. I’d love love to share this new experience with you, Sweetpea.
What do you think, Sweetpea? How did our actual, real-time first date compare to the ones I have playing in my head? Oh, and just one more date stipulation: Please don’t send me any mixed signals. If we’re on a date, i want to know we’re on a date. I’ve had great date debate before. it wasn’t very exciting. Or relaxing. Or laid-back. Until we meet… xoxo

[Photos via Sabino]