Shannon here: Karin Beery shares her comical first date with her future husband, plus a chance to win a copy of her Contemporary Romance, Finally Forever. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a print or ebook copy (winner’s choice), US only. Deadline May 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Karin:
First Date … or the Only Date?
Matt and I met through a mutual friend when we both stopped by her work to say hi. She was a barista. As the customers lined up, Matt and I talked to each other because our friend was too busy. I’d heard about Matt, but wasn’t prepared for the tall, bearded woodsman that sat next to me. I was definitely attracted, but not sure.
We went our separate ways. The next day, I got an email from him: he asked for my phone number. Thrilled, I gave it to him. He called immediately and scheduled our first date.
In his excitement to go out, Matt didn’t consider logistics. He wanted to pick me up, but he hadn’t asked where I lived—an hour away from him. My friend invited me to spend the night with her, in the same town as Matt, so he could fulfill his chivalrous dream and pick me up.
The chivalry morphed quickly thereafter.
Unbeknownst to me, Matt had a history of grand gestures to secure a date, but the more he settled into his own personality, the less frequent the dates. He was tired of pretending to be someone else, only to be rejected later, so he held nothing back with me—I got 100% Matt, and I was not prepared.
I heard him coming before I saw him. The roar of his 1980 Chevy Camaro greeted me a full ten seconds before he did. The Camaro was … rough. To be honest, I was surprised he could drive it.
He opened the door for me, then cleared a spot for my feet on the floor because it was covered in Taco Bell bags and wrappers. After pulling the seatbelt forward for me, he shut the door, then dropped to the ground. Before I could panic, something under the car banged. Apparently, the roar wasn’t intentional—the exhaust pipe kept shaking loose, so he had to regularly slam it back into place.
Once we were situated, he bought me coffee before driving me around town to show me his favorite spots. He knew I was new to the area, and he’d grown up there. He couldn’t wait to show me his hangouts.
It’s hard to find a place in Traverse City that isn’t beautiful, so the whole drive was stunning, but much of it was also through residential and unpopulated areas. After enjoying our last view after the sun set, Matt escorted me to the car and made sure I was comfortable before walking into the woods and disappearing. Unsure what was happening, I waited. I would give him a few minutes before calling for help.
He reappeared quickly. Nothing to worry about—just a quick bathroom break.
We ended up at the marina, walking and talking about everything. He laughed loudly at some inappropriate moments, but then he cupped his hand around my elbow to escort me in a different direction. Curious as to where we were going, as there wasn’t much in that direction, I asked. He wasn’t taking me anywhere specific. He was leading me away from the gas he’d been passing while I walked.
It was not the first date of my dreams, and I honestly didn’t know what to think of Matt after that night. Obviously, it didn’t matter, because this year we celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, and I can’t
imagine spending my life with anyone else.
Question for Readers: When meeting someone new, do you prefer they be themselves or reveal their warts over time?
About Karin:
A writer and reader of hopeful fiction with a healthy dose of romance, Karin Beery can find the hope (and humor) in most any situation, including her marriage, her career, life with Aunt Linda, and her puppies, who all insist on sleeping on her side of the bed. She’s a multi-published award-winning author and editor with experience in traditional and self-publishing, freelance editing, and editing for publishers. When she’s not writing, she runs Write Now Editing, helping authors turn good manuscripts into great books.
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About the book – Finally Forever:
Winning the dance competition could land Caroline her dream job but at the cost of her heart.
Former competitive dancer Caroline Novak dreams of leaving the corporate world to work with special needs women at the Pathways non-profit, but the organization can’t afford a full-time director. All-American defensive end Ben Allen was on his way to the NFL when a knee injury sent him home and into the same office as Caroline, his best friend’s older sister. When Pathways participates in a Dancing with the Stars-inspired fundraiser, Caroline quickly volunteers, and Ben joins her as the local “star.”
It doesn’t take long for Ben to realize it’s more than a dance competition, and Caroline is more than his best friend’s sister, but after two failed engagements, she’s hesitant to trust her heart with another man. When the NFL calls Ben, it looks like his dream might finally come true—but it could cost them the championship and Caroline her heart.
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I would prefer them be themselves 🙂
Beautiful couple!
I prefer that they be themselves.
I prefer they be themselves, but I am realistic and realize that we all want to be our best, especially on a first date. It’s rare for someone to show the majority of your faults on a first date.