June 13, 1997 - The First Date

I guess you could call my first date with Chris an eternal date - as we haven't stopped dating since. Not one for believing in bad superstition - but always looking for something good or fun I wasn't really bothered by the fact that our first date was scheduled to be on June 13th, or more specifically, Friday the 13th.

Chris had boldly introduced himself just a week before at my friend's wedding reception. He had even gone so far as to get my phone number and set up a date with me. I was excited to get to know this handsome man but also extremely nervous to get back into the whole "dating" thing again.

I remember rummaging through my closet, trying to creatively and magically find something new and impressive to wear (being on a college budget doesn't afford much for fashion). I ended up wearing light khaki docker pants with a white t-shirt and blue denim vest. (Chris probably thought I was going for BYU colors - which is a real turn on for him!!!) I double checked that I was wearing a bra. (Which I actually forgot to wear on one date!!!!! I had been changing clothes so many times and running late that I didn't notice. I guess it helps that I am pretty small in the bosom department [added that just for you Lucy] and that just garments do the trick.)

Chris promptly picked me up from my house right at the scheduled time. His carriage was a silver (he claims it is "timberline green") Mazda 626 (the same car he is still driving around today). And of course he had the best manners and opened my doors for me.

He had told me before in a mid-week phone call that he would like to have dinner with me and go to a play. The fact that he wanted to go to a play verses a movie had already impressed me. Great impressions were the whole theme of the night. For dinner he actually drove me to his home and cooked for me!!!! The main course was "Lemon Pepper Chicken," a recipe that he had invented himself. It consisted of cubed chicken, sauteed onion, mushrooms, cream of chicken soup, and lots and lots of lemon pepper seasoning. It was one of the most delicious meals I had ever eaten (except for the mushrooms of course - fungus is disgusting!). The chicken was served over rice and he also warmed up some rolls. I had cooked for plenty of my previous dates, but Chris was the first one to ever cook for me. Another point on the score board for Chris.

After the scrumptious dinner, which was followed by cheesecake, we headed off to see the play Guys and Dolls. I love plays and musicals. I am always totally enthralled by live performances. I was so thrilled that Chris was enjoying the play with me.

After the play, Chris dropped me off back at home. We had both been enchanted with a wonderful evening. Although I had meet Chris just the week before and had just finished a first date with him, I felt like I already had a friend and that we had known each other before.

During the parting conversation, the conversation in my head wanted to know what Chris was really thinking. Did he think the date went well? Did he like me enough to ask me out again. My questions were soon answered when he asked me out again for the next week. My heart thumped excitedly as my mouth responded, "YES!"