I’ll never forget the day your dad messaged me, saying you were a little shy but you had asked about me. He said he would watch the baby one night if I wanted to go out with you and gave me your number. I said, “Oh no, here’s my number, you make him call me.” And to my surprise, you called. You actually dialed my number and called me. I was impressed! No one does that these days. And we talked and talked and talked. 45 minutes later, we had plans to go out on a date. And I was over the moon!

Fast forward to that Tuesday, and it was date night. I wore skinny jeans, a black cami with a plaid shirt overtop. I remember going to put boots on and then remembered we were the same height, so I switched to flats. (I know, super shallow move). Mom yelled at me that you were here and I met you in the driveway. You were wearing jeans, boots and a plaid shirt. I remember thinking, this is going to be good. We already have that matching without telling each other what we’re wearing telepathic thing going on.

You opened the car door for me, and we headed out towards the movie theater. You let me pick the movie, "The Longest Ride," and we got our refreshments at the stand. Your drink lid kept popping off and you said: “I’m gonna be so embarrassed if this spills all over you.” I just giggled and said, “Relax. It’s just me. It’ll be fine”.

After the movie, we were going to go to dinner. You told me to choose and that was your first mistake. You quickly learned that I can’t choose. I just can’t do it. Unless I have a huge craving for something, I can’t choose where to eat. You started naming off restaurants and I kept saying, I don’t care, you choose. Then, the next moment proved to me, that you would be able to handle my attitude. You sat at the stop sign, with a line of cars behind us, until I made a decision. You challenged me. I got flustered and finally just said, “Chili’s!” and you said okay and we drove out to Crystal River.

We both ordered sweet teas and salads. You told me you hate hard boiled eggs on your salad, but your mom insisted that you did, and then wondered why you never ate salad at the house. You told me a little bit about your family, and I told you more about mine. We laughed and laughed until the waitress came with the check. You got frustrated because you had to pay on the little tablet on the table and they make you do a survey at the end. And, cue the drive home.

I asked you how it was being in the Army, why you decided to join, what you did, just basic questions. We got to my house, you walked me to the door, asked if I had fun and, of course, I said yes. And then you asked if you could take me on a second date. I remember just smiling what felt like a mile long, and said that I’d love to. You gave me a hug and I went inside.

First dates always seem so perfect. And I think that’s a big issue. Don’t get me wrong, everyone wants their first date to be, perfect. But, what if you base your entire relationship on how perfect that first date was. Or second date, or third date. What I’m saying is, the longer you’re together, things change. I feel like, eventually, you stop dating and you just become two people who are together by happenstance. You have to continue dating.

This first perfect date, is just the beginning.