DaNae's Version:
My friend Kurt had been pestering me about dating (my dating life in particular, he was engaged) for a few weeks when he asked if I would go to the college dance with a guy he'd set me up with. I was wary to say the least, not exactly eager to jump on the blind-date-horror-story bandwagon. I reluctantly agreed and prayed he would be someone normal that I could have a conversation with.
I told my mom about my upcoming date and we decided that it called for a new dress (because the only things I had that didn't qualify as simple church wear were prom dresses and that was not happening...and also because my mom always got excited when I had dates..probably because I wasn't exactly a pro-dater during my college life). We took a trip to St. George and decided on a cute black dress, which automatically meant I was going to wear my cute black heels. (Heels generally make me about 6'- 6'1" but I was over having a complex about it. I decided if I guy couldn't handle my height he could move right along..ain't nobody got time for dat. I did find out later that one of the first things Dillon told his mom about me was that I wore really tall shoes..)
Waiting for Dillon to pick me up, my parents tried to insist that I introduce him. "I don't even know him! I can hardly say, 'Hey, we just met but here are my parents" were my expressed feelings I believe. So when Dillon came to pick me up, I opened the door and said something to the effect of, "Hi...those are my parents. Let's go." Real charm right there.
As we rode with the group to Pizza Factory I remember thinking, "He's hot...probably out of my league...was this outfit the best choice?...my hair feels like it's frizzing already...I really don't like dances...hope it goes alright...I'd rather sit and observe than dance...it's awkwardly quiet in this car...oh thank goodness we're at the dinner place..." and a million other first date thoughts.
I knew most of the people in our group so during dinner my naturally sarcastic side came out with a few biting remarks at one of the group members. I noticed Dillon was pretty quiet and thought, "Welp, just ruined the date right there..scared him away with my sarcasm. I should probably reign it in. Maybe I can still convince him I have a nice side."
After dinner, we changed at a friend's apartment and headed to the dance. As we were walking in, my heels became a hindrance in my attempt to elegantly walk down the stairs so Dillon offered me his hand. When I got to the bottom of the stairs, to my surprise, he didn't let go. I smiled to myself and we walked into the dance.
I was nervous about the dance, I'm not a huge fan of that kind of dancing. I really prefer to be an observer but I couldn't do that in this situation so I decided to fake it. Dillon made it so easy. Neither of us were the uninhibited dancing type so we mostly played around. He taught me some basic swing dancing moves. We preferred the slow songs because shuffling in circle was easy.
The whole night, we never stopped holding hands. The conversation was easy. We asked the basics about each other and laughed at our attempts to dance. I was loving it, but that little self-deprecating devil on my shoulder was making me wonder if it was a one night thing...if Dillon was just always this nice to his dates...if this hand-holding, close-dancing business was just some dating etiquette he was following.
When he dropped me off at my door he was friendly but kept his distance. He thanked me for coming and that was that. My first thoughts, "Knew it! He didn't even ask for my number. He must act like that with all of his dates. Well, at least it was fun..but dang it!".
My friend Kurt texted me later that night to ask if there was going to be a second date. I texted back that it didn't seem likely since Dillon didn't ask for my number or anything. So Kurt, being the helpful soul that he is, did some detective work and figured out that both of us had a really good time and that both of us wanted to go out again but Dillon had wussed out (his words) when it came to asking me for my number.
Our friends set-up a second group date. Dinner and movie. While at the movie Dillon held my hand the whole time again and the voice in my head was all, "Dude! You're messing with my head! If you're this attached to my hand, you better be this attached to me too. No more hand-holding dating etiquette." But at the end of this date, Dillon asked for number and we actually set-up our third date for later that week. We both had finally figured out that the other was just as into us as we were into them..and.it.was.awesome.
Dillon's Version:
I was set-up on a blind date by my friend Kaylyn and her fiance at the time Kurt, and all they told me was her name, DaNae. The 3 of us went to pick her up at her house, and I remember waving very quickly at her parents as she ran out the door. I also remember thinking "oh a pretty redhead". We then went as a group to the pizza factory and ate. After eating we went to Kaylyn's apartment to change for an SUU dance (like highschool but in college) while DaNae left the room to change Kurt and Kaylyn held their thumbs up signaling a question as to whether or not they did good. I gave a double thumbs up back and nodded yes (apparently they did the same to DaNae who responded in kind). We went to the dance and I held her hand pretty much the rest of the night. We also danced although I am jealous how good of dancer Kevin James is which tells you how bad I am at dancing. However, DaNae was on drill team in High School and could move. After not scaring her away by my pathetic dancing, I took her home. I was never good at the end of the night thing (do I go in for a hug? handshake? is she fiddling with her keys? when was the last time I had a mint?) that combined with the fact that she was pretty and also intimidating made me think "oh she was just being nice"(a common thought for me and other men/boys) . At her front door I folded like a lawnchair, and gave her a hug and left (without her #). Later that week I talked to Kurt found out she did like me, and we set up a 2nd date. At the end of that date I made damn sure to get her number the 2nd time.
Oooh what a fun and cute idea! I'm tempted to make Michael participate in this! So fun. We would have similar overthinking vs. to-the-point versions, I assure you :)
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