1. Ask out someone you think would be enjoyable to spend 1-3 hours with. This can be someone new, someone you know, or an old acquaintance.
2. Don’t ask out someone you have a major crush on. That’s too much pressure for this challenge. Ask out someone you trust will be enjoyable.
3. Keep it simple. Nothing romantic, overly involved, or that requires a financial or time investment. The point is to just have an enjoyable couple of hours out with someone of the opposite sex.
4. Your date can cost no more than $30!
5. Take some pictures, write up your story (who you asked, why that person, a little info on both of you, and what you did), and send them in to er**@me**************.com.
I will select one of the dates at random to receive a $30 AMEX gift card! (which you will hopefully use towards your next date!)
I’ll share a few of the responses with you in next month’s column, and in some of my blog posts here on Meridian. And of course, I’ll share my experience with you as well.
To my fellow single friends I say this. Dating can be fun. Dating can be rough. Dating can be absolutely NOT worth it some of the time. But go do it anyway. Remember that the point of dating isn’t always to find an eternal mate on a Friday night. Sometimes it is just to connect with another person. So go out, enjoy yourself, send me the proof, and you just might get your night paid for.
Send your date night stories to – er**@me**************.com! I can’t wait to hear from you!
Feedback from Fellow Singles
Now, from the Peanut Gallery! A letter from our fellow Meridian readers!
Sharee, 68 years old
Recently I met a man I could really fall in love with. I felt a connection with him the first moment I saw him–although he is not particularly good-looking. He is a gentle, humble man who would not stand out in a crowd and I could not understand the connection I felt. Later, after I found out who is was and devoured everything I could find out about him online, I realized it was the strength of his testimony that had reached out and grabbed me and pulled me in. His faith makes me want to be a better person. There is great power in his humility, great power in his testimony. He is a remarkable man and I admire him very much, but know nothing of his personal life. I don’t even know if he is married or single. I think he is likely married. If not, he may be a widower, as I doubt any woman married to him would let such a man get away. I don’t even know if I will ever run into him again. If I knew for sure that he was not married, I think I would likely pursue a relationship. I do know how to contact him. But if he were single and had any interest in me, surely he would have acted on it. He also knows how to contact me.
I know you are not “Dear Abby,” but I wondered what you would do in such a circumstance. How do I find out if this incredible man is available, short of asking him–which, of course, I don’t really want to do. I have prayed about it and, while I haven’t received a “forget about him” answer, neither have I felt I should pursue him. Maybe I just need to wait to see if he decides to pursue me?
Well, Sharee, I’m going to give you the simple advice that my friends always give me when I ask them the same question over and over again. JUST GO ASK HIM! There is also the easy standby of just look to see if he has a wedding ring, but that’s too easy. I’m sure if you could have, you would have. But really, your only option here is to just ask him. If you can’t be direct, casually bring up family in conversation. Tell him about your family, and then ask about his. If he has children, ask about their mother. If he evades or some how manages to never imply he’s married, ask directly. If he’s the quality man you say he is, he should gladly tell you without thinking anything less of you.
But now I’m going to be harsh.
(Sorry. But I think it is for the best.) If you don’t want to ask him directly, it may be because you don’t want to find out if he is married, because it ends your fairy tale dreams. There are no such things as fairy tales. Get over it, and ask him. Don’t live in a daydream. You are just wasting your time.
It is inappropriate to day dream over a married man.
Thanks everyone! I always enjoy your letters! Keep them coming! er**@me**************.com