The Perfect Date Preference

Planning the perfect date can be challenging leave alone dating in general. Ontop of the already stressful task, there is the ongoing pandemic. Traditional dating skills/format, rules, and techniques seem to have flown out the window, the moment COVID-19 reached USA soil. People are scared to go outside, leave alone mingle and socialize in a crowded place. Dating has become quite the challenge, not to mention meeting new people in general. I recently found myself in the dating predicament, in the midst of a pandemic. All my fun, favorite, hanging-out spots have closed down or have limitations on operational hours. The only location I can think of that is still functioning at 75% capacity is downtown Houston. The scenery in downtown Houston has always been Breath-taking, and night life is to die for. But since the pandemic, all that has changed. It is so unusual for the streets to be so silent, yet extremely rewarding at the same time. Houston being home of the Astros, Rockets, and Texans, the usual traffic to and from downtown now seem so foreign. I do not remember the last time I drove past NRG Stadium and Minute Maid for a long period of hours stuck in traffic. The drive to downtown is now less than 30mins, something that used to be 2hr maximum. The traditional football games, basketball games, and any major patriotic celebrations no-longer fill the streets of downtown. I can easily grab a quick bite with friends and companions without feeling the usual agony of driving to downtown.

I can also easily enjoy cozy evening walks or sightsee abstract art and sculptures without the usual crowd as well. If you are like me, and enjoy nature and taking pictures, now is the perfect time to visit downtown Houston. Downtown Houston is the perfect date spot once you are familiarized with someone. But if you are I the process of getting to know each other, the beauty of downtown might take away from the date itself. I suggest visiting here on a later date once the relationship transitions into something more tangible. I recently went back into the dating scene and it seems like a lot has changed. The formal way of dating now is strictly online dating, unless a mutual friend/co-worker links you with someone. It is almost impossible to meet people, leave alone take people seriously. I personally have a distaste for online dating, blind dates, and the worst of my pet-peeves, a mutual connection. I am a firm believer that, your significant other will always feel obligated to share details of your relationships or issues with that mutual connection down the line. And for that reason, I prefer to meet people on my own. Blind dates are a-bit unconventional for me, simply because I do not like my time wasted. The dating structure involves interacting with a pool of multiple people within a short time restraint. Which I consider not to be enough adequate time to get to know someone. Chances of you meeting your match or potential on the spot is one in a million. Lastly, with the dating apps, you have to allocate time just for the vetting session in hopes of finding your perfect match. But how can you really tell whether you are a perfect match with someone primarily based on logics and interests. What if they fabricated their interests to match yours, nor lie about their height? My biggest pet-peeve is height, people that lie about their height in general. I am tall and wear heels a lot, so my presences will always be 6ft or taller. I know that may seem unrealistic in modern day period, but I have dated 6ft in the past, so I know it is possible. Despite the limitations we are facing with the pandemic, I was shocked to meet someone at a grocery store parking lot. The way he approached me was strange, but he managed to get my attention. As I was leaving H-E-B walking back to my car, an unknown vehicle approached me almost running over my feet. Luckily, I managed to dodge the oncoming vehicle and cut through the vehicle isles parked in the parking lot and made it around to my car. The unknown vehicle honked at me several times and speed across the parking lot to reach the direction I was headed. I immediately panicked thinking this person was trying to kidnap me, leave alone run me over with his vehicle. I knew I was safe inside my car, so I attempted to run to the car as fast as I could holding my bag of groceries. Unfortunately, the unknown vehicle had made it around to the isle I was running towards and pulled in front of me once again. He rolled down his window and attempted to make small talks with me. Seeing that I was frightened and scared, he murmured he was just trying to get my attention. He stated he had honked at me while I was leaving the store, but I was not aware, so he drove towards me instead. And when I ignored him the first time he almost ran me over, he drove around the parking lot to re-introduce himself and hopefully secure my number too. I was annoyed by his approach and went on to inquire why he would try to kill me in broad day light. He giggled and we both shared a laugh over the incident, and he insisted on having my number. I was impressed by his courage to chase me around a parking lot while at the same time thought he was low key crazy. I mean he could have been a serial killer for all I know or leave alone a stalker. Nevertheless, I decided to give out my google number just to get him to leave. He went on to call that number immediately to confirm if it was a real number. I answered quickly to avoid him noticing that it was a google number.

We parted ways and I drove off quickly to avoid him following me. I rerouted my way home just to be safe, and he texted me while I headed home. He stated to text him back when I reach home safely but opted not to respond. The following day he texted and called again wondering whether I made it home safe. It is then that I decided to respond and confirm my safety and well-being at home. He implied we meet up for coffee, and officially get to know each other. I respectably declined, and he asserted: how about tomorrow? I would like to take you out on a date, what time can I come pick you up. I knew I could not ride in the same vehicle with this stranger, leave alone, let him know where I lived. I agreed to meet up with him for brunch at a public place instead. It was mid-Sunday afternoon when I drove to meet this suiter, and the location he had suggested we meet at, had unfortunately closed down. So, he opted we drive further down on Westheimer and meet at Fadis Restaurant. He went on to suggest that we leave my vehicle behind and ride-in one vehicle to the restaurant, and then he would bring me back to where my car was parked after the luncheon. But I declined, for safety purposes. Had I known him a lot better I would have carpooled but being that he was typically still a stranger I could not allow that to happen. We drove separately to Fadis Mediterranean Grill and enjoyed a great meal. We finished around 2:30pm and before we could head out, he requested we wait for his friend who was on his way to Fadis as well. Coincidentally, the friend worked at Fadis and was on his way to work and he wanted to introduce me to the friend. We waited briefly and the friend soon arrived. I was introduced and was flattered by the nice gesture of meeting his friend so soon. The date soon came to an end and he walked me to my Car. Before I could drive off, he leaned over and handed me a black box. Unbeknownst to me, I opened the box only to me graced by a piece of jewelry; a diamond-like necklace. I was overwhelmed, given the fact that it was just a first date and he was already bringing gifts. Leave alone a necklace, that is a big statement. I respectably declined to take the necklace, but he obliged stating he bought it for me as a gift, I should keep it regardless. And so I kept the necklace, we parted ways again and I drove home safely.

Throughout the course of the week, he texted wanting to go on another date. I was still trying to absorb everything that transpired within the course of the first date that I could not fully comprehend what was really happening. I did not want to be rude nor seem ungrateful. However, I knew for a fact that, this suitor was moving a little too fast for me. I could not help but wonder what he would show-up with on a second date whenever I did decide to meet again. He had every physical quality I wanted, but we were just not on the same page. We continued to communicate via text messages throughout the week, while he attempted to get me to go on a second date with him. He occasionally also stated he wanted me to meet his family soon. At the rate he was moving, I felt like we would be Married off by the end of the week. As much as this suitor was attractive, met my height preferences, and big on buying gifts, I was not fully nsync with him leave alone fully content with all of his characteristics. I knew I had to end this before it becomes too complicated. Within the course of one week, I was able to put all this to rest. What started as a cat chase at H-E-B parking lot ended before it even started. Some might say I was too harsh on this suitor, but I am big on first impressions. First impressions determines whether there will be a second date or a future date or not. Hence why I prefer meeting people myself and face to face, as opposed to the other dating alternatives. It also makes the vetting process easier and breakup simple, no third-party involvement nor influence on my decision. I may never fully know what could have become of that second date, however I do know what I would want my dream date to be like. Gifts are a nice gesture down the line in the relationship, but for me, it is the simple things that count. My dream perfect date would be a walk along the beach during sunset and a picnic at the park. You can not go wrong with either options. It is the effort and details of time investing in planning this date that melts my heart. Whether we have known each other for centuries or meeting for a first date, simplicity is the key. By the time I am agreeing to go on a date with you, I had already established some basic foundations from phone conversations, and became familiarized with you enough to know your likes and dislikes. This makes it easier to plan a picnic together or showcase your listening skills, by making a great first impression. I personally prefer a home-cooked meal, but if your cooking skills are rough around the edges, pizza will suffice. Along with a detailed thought drink to accompany it with. My ideal picnic meals consist of anything edible, based off of my persona, likes, and conversations thus far. You cannot go wrong, with anything with pineapple in it. My preferred time for a picnic varies depending on the weather forecast. But given that we are currently in spring, a brunch or sunset dinner will suffice. If we settled for a brunch, roughly around mid-day, Pinot Grigio 2019 white wine will do me justice. The name itself sounds enticing besides the fact that it is a deliciously crisp white wine. This Californian Pinot Grigio is sustainably grown and showcases flavors of grapefruit and lemon with a hint of tropical pineapple. Bracing acidity, and what better way to enjoy nature than with the class or bottle of Americas finest. However, if we settle for cozy early picnic dinner, preferably close to sunset. A glass of Mojave Rain, Merlot 2019 red wine will suffice. Fermented in North Coast California, this red wine has a sultry name and is brimming with dark fruit aromas of juicy plum, raspberry, and black cherry. The wine has smooth, velvety tannins and balanced acidity. You will enjoy this wine if you are fond of sweet tastes. To top it off, the Mojave Rain has a dark chocolate in the finish. And what better way to enjoy an evening breeze and watch the sunset than with a glass of Merlot red wine? The scenery of such a dream date will always be timeless and worthwhile, but moments within the picnic itself will certainly be priceless.