Just tonight, I was driving in the dark over the dam in our town, and my mind was suddenly taken back 20 years, driving this very same road through the dark...Only that night, I was riding in an open-air jeep, with a cute boy beside me driving, the warm breeze tangling through my hair, the moon and stars shining down on a grinning first-date couple. I can still almost smell the warm summer wind that night so long ago...hear the hum of the Jeep in the silent night air...feel the little tickle inside my belly, reminding me of my nervousness about the ending of our date...kiss or no kiss? Oh, I'll never tell--I am not a kiss and tell kind of girl. I will tell you this: I sure kiss him now! Only, I am quite sure he would tell you it is not nearly often enough!
That night 20 years ago, my adventure-seeking date took me first to a tower, high above every treetop and building--just to watch the sunset together. Honestly? I don't remember the sunset at all. What I do remember is the feeling of being with someone who had thought to show me the sunset from a tower. To share that moment together. I remember feeling a little shy sharing that moment, not sure what to talk about in the quiet tower, or if I even needed to fill the silence.
Next, we ate a slow dinner at an interesting restaurant. I don't remember specific conversations, but I am quite sure I asked him a thousand questions--because that is what I do. And because he told me later that those questions were one of the reasons he fell in love with me--my wanting to get to know him more, and deeper.
I do remember thinking it was odd that he ordered dessert to go. I didn't understand why we didn't just eat it there. After all--he had ordered my very favorite dessert--key lime pie! He was already wiggling his way into my heart with that choice. I have since learned that when something doesn't make sense with that guy--there is a very good reason, a surprise yet to be revealed.
The very good reason that night was probably the very best part of the night. We drove that starlit road to the dam. He parked across the street from the dam, at a little park. We got out of the Jeep, and he led me down a wooded footpath, to some rocks, just overlooking the dark water. We perched upon the sun-warmed rocks, opened up the squeaky white styrofoam box, and began slowly savoring the creamy lime pie. I remember the quiet in that moment. Hearing the occasional lapping of the water on the shore below us, stealing little glances--awkward little smiles--at each other as we finished off the pie.
As we finished the pie, we started talking. We talked and talked and talked. Looking out over the water, we began the process of discovery...discovering each other little by little, the water reflecting the hopeful light of the moon onto our faces. Finally, it was getting late, and we had to leave to make curfew. I remember the electricity as he held out his hand to help me down. And his hand on my back again as I climbed into the Jeep.
Then, the hurried drive back down that dark winding road, the warm wind tangling through my hair, the hum of the Jeep in the silent night air, the moon and the stars shining down on the grinning first-date couple, and that nervous little tickle in my belly.
I'm so glad I drove that road tonight...It's so good to remember...
I would love to hear some of YOUR first-date memories!!! Please share!!
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