My Perfect Date

20 March, 2015

How would you describe your perfect date?

LOL, couldn't help myself.

On a serious note, if you had to dream up a perfect date-date, dinner and a movie, long walk on the beach, making cookies, paint n' sip (which I'm dying to try, actually), a hike, a dancing club... what would you choose? Where would you go? Who would it be with? What city would you be in?

The other day, a girlfriend of mine asked me to describe the best date I've ever been on. A little taken aback, I had never thought about the answer. I've gone to lots of restaurants, a few hikes, a handful of movies, a couple concerts, some sports games... Growing up, I was a bit of a serial dater and loved attention from boys (as many other young girls do, I suppose). But, I had never thought much about the "best" one.

Thinking a bit more, the answer became obvious. Two years ago, I studied abroad for a month in Germany and a month in Italy. My friends and I took classes, of which were incredibly easy, and had lots of time at night and on weekends to explore and go wherever we wanted. My friends and I did it all, we traveled all throughout Europe, rented cars and mopeds, ate our way through Tuscany's finest vineyards and pasta restaurants, watched operas, symphonies, ballets, and plays, toured castles and churches and monuments, tested out a couple Italian spas, ate schnitzel (seven different types total) and cinammon rolls (every morning). We rode a gondola in Venice and took a bike tour through Barcelona and made our own pasta in Italy and got lost in the Florence leather mart and jumped into the Cinque Terre ocean and drank lots of different types of German beer in the pubs. Needless to say, it was a grand time, a time to try new things and test the waters on living life to the fullest. There's a time and a place to try everything, and it's called Europe.

I'm a hopeless romantic, and I of course daydreamed a tad about meeting a 6'5'' Ralph Lauren underwear model during my trip (haha!) and was unsuccessful. I had watched the Lizzie McGuire movie before I left (I know you've all seen it five times so don't even go there) and was thinking how exciting it would be to meet an Italian pop star and travel on the back on his Vespa.

I did not meet a popstar. I did, however, meet an incredibly handsome man named Marc two weeks into my time in Germany. Living in college-town Heidelberg, the town was brimming with pubs and hangouts. One particular Saturday night, my friend Stephanie and I ventured into a pub. There was a DJ and flashing lights, but absolutely no dancing. We were a bit confused, it was late, prime dance hour, and not a single foot tap. We later found out German clubs are much different than those in America. Dancing is a no-no.

Anywho, we were approached by two very handsome men, one blonde (Stephanie's type, lol) and the other was tall, dark, and handsome Marc. We hit it off right away; he spoke pristine English, he was an advertising executive, and he was a few years older than me. Stephanie and her man fizzled quickly; his English was sub-par and they didn't exactly click. Marc and I exchanged numbers, and he asked me to accompany him to dinner the following night. Obviously, I said yes.

I was living in a castle, basically, overlooking the city. (shown above) Living with about 25 others, most of them were off traveling for the weekend. Not telling anyone but Stephanie about the date, I got dressed up and awaited his arrival. Hearing a honk outside the house, I looked through the window and down the three flights of stairs to the main road, and there was Marc, dressed in a full suit, standing with a bouquet of fresh red roses holding open the door to his brand new BMW convertible. "Oh my word," I whispered. Feeling like a princess walking down the stairs to my carriage, he was smiling ear to ear. "Hello gorgeous," he said, handing the roses to me as I eased into the passenger seat. "This is going to be a night to remember," I thought. I was right.

We arrived at the Italian restaurant a bit early before our reservation, so we hopped out of the car and went for a little stroll over the Neckar bridge, talking nonstop as if we'd known each other for years. Walking into the restaurant, he poked his head into the kitchen to say "buon pomeriggio" (aka hello in Italian) to the chef, of which he said he'd known forever. He ordered dinner for both of us (took charge, every girls dream - or atleast mine) in perfect Italian, of which he spoke fluently, along with English, German (obvi), and Swedish. We talked the night away, ending the dinner with espresso shots and brownie biscotti's.

As it was only about 9:30, and this WAS Europe (where people don't sleep, lol) we met up with some of my girlfriends at a nearby pub. We laughed, we got him to dance (this was huge, people), and he drove us all home in his leather-lined 2013 Beemer. My friends gushed all night about how lucky I was and how much of a gentleman he was, holding the door open for all of us, buying our entrance fee's into the pub, telling us all how nice we looked and how lucky he felt.

It was a night to remember. He treated me with the upmost respect and courtesy and didn't expect anything in return.

Marc and I went out a few more times, one of which we drove 283 KPH on the autobahn with the top down, but that's another story for another time. I'll let you do the MPH math. Yeah, not smart.

Anyways, Marc and I had a great time enjoying each others company, although we no longer keep in touch much. (btw, if you see this, hi Marc!) The last I talked with him, he had moved to Switzerland to work in marketing. But, the moral of the story: as women, we are beautifully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 31) We are precious cargo, we were made for a purpose, and we were made in God's image. That being said, there is nothing wrong with holding a high standard when it comes to whom we date. Jesus Christ see's us as princesses, inside and out. Too often in my life I've settled for someone who didn't treat me with much respect, which in turn leads to ME disrespecting myself. I've been burnt in relationships because I've played with fire, dating somone I knew was trouble when they walked in. (ha, really though)

Don't underestimate your worth. We end up with the exact love we think we deserve. Remember - Jesus see's you as the most beautiful of all creation. Boys, you listen too, you are worthy of a strong woman who respects herself and respects you.

For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20) Next time you're on a date, think:  Is this the type of man/woman that will respect me forever? Do they help me shine? Will they help me achieve my dreams? Or do I have to hide who I really am?

Because you, my friend, are worthy of a prince (or princess for you lads). Respect yourself and you'll attract those whom respect you. You deserve a fairy tale.