The adventures from my first year in Nebraska after I had graduated college seemed to prove to me what I thought I already knew from past experience. First, that all men from Nebraska are strange, and second, I would never marry anyone from Nebraska–I actually said that!
I was “stood up” for the first time ever. I had heard people talk about being stood up, but never really gave it much thought. So one Friday I waited and waited for a guy who had asked me for a date. Stupid me, I just thought something horrible had happened to him. So the next time I saw him at church, I went up to him very concerned and asked him what had happened. You should have seen the look on his face. “Er. Uh. Hm.” I obviously didn’t get the message. He must have felt like the heel he was because he sent me flowers, asked me out again, and vowed to be there. He picked me up and the date was fine, but when he dropped me off at my apartment he wanted to come up. I told him that I didn’t invite guys to my apartment. His reply? “Oh, so you don’t trust yourself with me?” It’s a good thing I hadn’t just taken a drink of my Coke because I’m sure that I would have spewed it all over him!
Another awkward moment was in the church foyer when the divorced man with kids older than I asked me out. I had never, ever anticipated such a thing. I must have looked like a frightened five-year-old. “Uh, no. I don’t think so. I don’t know you very well,” was what I heard come out of my mouth.
“Yeah, well, that’s the point,” he said.
“Well, thank you for the offer,” I responded and practically ran to my car.
A third guy took me to a very nice restaurant. When the waitress came, he ordered and then told the waitress we were going to split the meal. “Is that okay with you?” he asked. What could I say to that? I agreed and then forced myself to eat the food. Afterward, he took me to the dollar theater. On our way back to the car, the whole conversation was about how this night was really going to break him financially. I made sure I was never a participant to his financial ruin again–honestly!
My favorite is the dear soul that came up to me at church as soon as the service had ended and loudly asked, “Would you like to go get a pop?” I could feel people all around us stop and stare.
“No, thank you. I already have plans,” I said trying to say it as quietly as I could.
“Really? You won’t go out with me?” he bellowed.
“I’m sorry,” I said as I tried to make my way through the crowd.
He followed me all the way out shouting, “She won’t go out with me!” every little while. Then finally calling out his final offer, he yelled out, “I’ll even pay!”
I just kept on walking!
See. You can’t blame me for my afore-stated conclusion. But all that changed the day I met my man. I should have known this would happen really, because I have had to eat my words for every single thing I remember ever saying I would never do. I think it’s one of the little ways God gently reminds us that we’re not in control of things. I’m so glad He has a sense of humor!
Some of my old experiences make me cringe too! So glad those days are over. Lol!
You know I know a lot of people but you take the cake as far as bizarre experiences with the human race! I’m surprised you even left your house after all that!
That truly cracked me up! Even more though I like how you vowed never a man from Nebraska. Love this story!
I had promised myself, never ever an American. Not crossing the Atlantic, not wanting to live between ketchup and burgers (sorry for the cliche) I fought with teeth and hands yet I am moving to Virginia End of November.
Can you have them fill out an application? It might save you time and energy.
Oh the stories I could tell…I’ve never once had a nice, normal date. EVERY date (the few there have been, granted) has a bizzare story attached to it! It was so bad for a while there that my FATHER (whom you know) once asked me if I had a, “If you’re a freak, I’m available,” sign hanging from my back…
*sigh* 🙂
All the more reason to seek the Lord in who He has prepared for you to spend your life with, even as He prepares you for that person.
And I know what it is like to say ‘never’ and then the Lord calls me on that very point. All part of trusting Him.
Wow! The dating world can be scary. Glad I’ve been out of it for a while. 🙂 ~Jessica
lol! oh man! I’m glad I didn’t end up dating much! lol. There are some crazy guys out there! yikes!
WOW! I am so thankful that I met my husband early and didn’t have to experience the “real” dating world. It sounds tragic! Glad God lead you through those guys and to your husband. 🙂
~Paris
really funny…
Those are all stories from the female perspective. Believe you me, there are some pretty weird ladies out there too. At least there were a long time ago. It seemed as though they were all carrying a lot of emotional
baggage. Hardly ever a dull moment!
I don’t doubt it Ken. In fact I’d like to hear some stories… 🙂
Hey Esther! There’s a Lovely Blog Award for you on my blog! 🙂
: ) All I have to say is: GO BIG RED!!
After you married Jason, I promised myself I’d never date a guy named Jason, because it would be complicated and weird to explain about my Uncle Jason and my boyfriend Jason, especially talking to my family. Would you believe, my first boyfriend and my current boyfriend are BOTH named Jason! xD That is what this story reminded me of. lol
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! This is the funniest thing ever!
This reminds me of when I used to date. My parents are very strict and I always had a chaperone on my dates. Usually it was one of my sisters, but one time, none of my sisters wanted to go with me, so it was my dad who came along. We went to a Greg Laurie preaching. Anyway, when my date and I went to get some drinks, my date asked, “Patsy, why did you do this to me?!” So I guess I would be one of those weird ladies Ken Barnes was mentioning!!!! Patsy from HeARTworks
“I’ll even pay!”
Does this mean that he WOULDN’T have paid if you had been, for lack of a better description, “easy”?
LOL!