#59 - Go on a Date with Someone Whose Last Name I Don't Know

I know this should be a big deal, but even the thought of going on a date with someone I don't know is sooooo out of my comfort zone. I just don't do it. I don't know why I have that fear. I've probably only gone on 4 "first dates" in my life.

The first one was with my high school boyfriend. I think we were already "dating" by that point. It was Valentine's Day, so high pressure. I think it was President's Day weekend because I remember it being a lunch date on a week day. He brought me flowers and a giant card that had "10 reasons I love you" on it. But he had taken all of the "loves" and scratched them out and wrote in "like." Funny but weird. We went to Zingerman's for lunch. I remember being very nervous even though we already knew each other fairly well.

The second one was in college. Yes, that's correct. I only had one boyfriend in high school. We dated for a month and then broke up and then dated again for over a year. Anyways, I didn't go on another date until my junior year of college. I met this guy when I was working the intramural golf tournament and he worked at the course. I helped him put away carts when it started raining and ruined the tournament. Then a couple weeks later I was working a track meet and one of the girls brought me over to meet her friends who came to watch her throw. One of her friends was that same guy. So she gave him my number. He called me. We talked. He asked if I wanted to get dinner sometime. So we went to Charlie's and ate some chicken sandwiches. It was nice. We hung out some more. My friends began teasing about how he hadn't made a move. They said I was dating a gay guy. But really, we just weren't dating. And now we are exactly what we are meant to be: friends. He's now in my top ten favorite people. Friend love :)

I had my third first date my 5th year of college. I met Matt through my neighbor boys. He was cute. He asked me out like a boy should. We went for a walk in the Arb and then got Stucchi's. It was nice. He was nice. We kinda dated for a bit. Then it fizzled and I dated someone else. Then we reconnected when he was living in Chicago. Then I moved to Chicago. Then we dated for 5 years. He's still a nice guy.

So none of these situations ended badly. And the ones where I had a friendship that just kinda evolved into more have ended very badly. So I shouldn't be afraid of first dates. But I am.

On Saturday I watched Michigan football with Chris Zann and Ed Cruz, my 2 favorite roommates. After the game, they stayed put in the bar while I ran to get my race packet for the Bucktown 5k. I dropped off my car and headed back to the bar to watch Michigan State - Ohio State. A group of guys had been there watching and stayed to watch that game too. There were probably 20 people in the bar. And, oh man, after Michigan won, Ohio State lost. What a day!

As we're watching the game, Zann asks if I'm interested in any of the guys at the other table so he can make a move for me.

I said, "Zann, they can hear you."

He said, "Which one?!"

And I whispered, "None... they're not cute."

I then reconsidered. I said, "Maybe the one in the grey shirt with his back to us but I can't tell until I see his face again."

Zann said, "CA-CAWWW! CA-CAWWW!"

The guy turned around. He was, indeed, cute.

I was completely embarrassed.

Zann did nothing to help.

But... as we were deciding where to watch the Tigers game that night, the guy in the grey shirt came over to ask where we were watching the Tigers game. He suggested we go with them to The Crossing. As we had no other plans, we went.

After ordering one round of drinks, Zann left to get Holly from the airport.

Ed decided we then looked like a couple, so he told me that he was now my adopted Asian brother that my parents adopted. From Asia.

I told him we didn't need a cover story. It was fine.

So grey-shirt guy, now known as Steve, came to talk to us for a bit.

Ed said, "Steve, I am Megan's adopted Asian brother. Her parents adopted me. From Asia."

I said, "That's not true."

Steve seemed a bit confused. I would have been too.

Our friend Rebeca then agrees to meet us, so on Steve's next trip to the table, Ed says, "My girlfriend is on her way!" I didn't feel the need to contradict that one. Sorry, Rebeca, but Ed was getting weird.

Rebeca, Holly, and Zann arrived at the same time. I was free to leave Ed's side.

Anyways, Steve asked for my number. He texted me on Sunday and the only day I had free in the next 2 weeks was Tuesday after an art class I signed up for. And then there was a work emergency and I didn't go to class, but I did want a drink, so we went out on Tuesday.

We met at Messner's and watched the Tigers game. We had a nice time. Our waitress was barely wearing clothes. It was a little strange for a Tuesday night when there were only like 5 people in the bar. Otherwise, no big drama. I don't know why I was so worried.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement, friends!