The Perfect Date

Here is another installment about the years we were dating:

One of my favorite scenes from the movie Miss Congeniality is Miss Rhode Island is asked in her contest interview to describe her perfect date.  She replies, “I would have to say April 25, it’s not too hot and not too cold.  All you need is a light jacket.”   Later on she is upset because she had such a perfect answer to her perfect date which would be going out to a romantic dinner and walking along the beach barefoot while discussing books and movies. 

 I never got Arthur to walk barefoot on a beach but we had a lot of fun dates.  Despite the lack of beaches we walked a lot on dates- around campus, around the Plaza in KC, around the state fair, at Kanza Prairie, and one a 13 mile hike at Shawnee Mission Park which we deemed the “Dating Death March”.  We were talking so much we lost track of how far we had walked and forgot to turn around.  Arthur also joined me on a few runs on dates that lead to blisters and doses of ibuprofen. 

Our romantic dinner would be at Noodles and Company which meant Arthur could be adventurous with different foods from around the world, especially Asian cuisine, and I could still have my tried and true favorite, mac and cheese.  We also enjoyed exploring museums together—the art museum at K-State on our first date, a few zoos, the Nelson Atkins Art Museum in KC, and some county historical museums.   

Another classic date was our decathlon date.  We picked ten events—shuffle board, billards, bowling, 400 yard dash, 1000m on a rowing machine, push-ups, racquetball, pingpong, HORSE with basketball, and badminton.  Whoever won the majority of the events then got to pick the movie we watched that evening.  I led early on and nosed Arthur out in the 400 yard dash but he made a comeback to win with the strength and basketball events.  We might be just a little competitive.   

Another slightly unconventional date was our interview.  I had just spoken at an alumni event and was dressed up and Arthur showed up to pick me up afterwards in a suit and tie.  We went out and got ice cream but treated it like a job interview asking questions such as what are your strengths and weaknesses, why are you interested in this position (i.e. being my significant other), pick three words that describe yourself.  It was a little quirky but fun and informative as well.   

 We also had more “normal” dates such as cooking dinner together and curling up on the couch watching Netflix.  The wonderful thing about marriage is that now every night is a “normal” date night with dinner and Netflix.  Omnia Vincit Amor.