Fancy a Date for Two?
We were seated in one of the more private rooms of the restaurant. This was the “fancy” place in town — this meant it was a very serious date, and there I was, peering across the table at a man slightly cast into shadows. His dark hair spiked up, his thick beard well trimmed and maintained, the suit…don’t get me started on the suit. He was unbelievably handsome in that red button-up dress shirt. His tie was impeccable. He was the most attractive thing I had ever laid eyes on.
I looked up and remarked on various art pieces before another couple was seated in our room. We overheard one of them ordering a drink with orange zest, followed by a list of specific methods of creating the drink. The lengthiest list of drink ingredients I had ever heard spewed out of this man’s mouth to the overwhelmed waiter. I raised a pinky and began mocking him under my breath.
“Yes, only the finest shavings of orange peel. I will need gold shavings as well, Mr. Waiter.”
My date chuckled. “Should I order like that?”
“Absolutely. This is what fancy people do.”
We ordered our fancy meals and, upon seeing our formal attire, the waiter asked if we were celebrating any special occasion.
“Um. Us being awesome?” my date responded, leaving me in a fit of smirks as I fidgeted with the table cloth.
The waiter smiled. “That’s a good enough reason.”
Upon receiving our entirely overpriced chicken parmesan meals, I analyzed and studied the textures and flavors of the dish. I wasn’t impressed, but I politely ate as another group was seated in our room. They came in dressed like they were heading to Hawaii — in January. The loud, raucous laughter overpowered a lot of our conversation, and we exchanged looks that spoke every word we couldn’t speak aloud.
The meal finished, and my date took my hand.
I had just arrived two days earlier on an airplane, intending to spend a week out of state with my long distance boyfriend. At the age of 30 this was the first time anyone had ever taken me on such a beautiful date. I was already enchanted by the idea of being with someone who would take me out and treat me like a lady, but as he held my hand across the table and stroked my little fingers with his thumb, my heart started racing. I didn’t really know why.
“You know, I was kind of nervous about this date, because I felt like it would show me a lot about the two of us and how we would work out as a couple face to face. It’s a little different being in person as opposed to being online.”
I nodded, feeling further enchanted by the sensation of his thumb dragging across my skin.
“But these days together have already shown me that this is what I want. I am taking this seriously, and I intend for this relationship to go further than where it is now.”
That’s when the ring came from seemingly nowhere and my breath caught in my throat while my heart jack hammered in my chest.
He slipped it on my finger and continued, “This is my promise that we will be more someday.”
Was this even real life? Me, of all people, having a fancy and romantic date that ended in receiving a promise ring with a heartfelt short speech?
I couldn’t believe how loved I felt.
I can’t believe how loved I still feel.
I’m looking at the ring that still sits on my finger and marveling over the fact that I have gotten fairy tale moments in my life. The person I’m meant to be with gave me all of the romantic firsts I always wanted.
Love is beautiful, even in its hardest days. I cherish this memory for the rest of my life.
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