As second, third, and infinite dates go by, weeks and months later, it’s nice to reminisce about that initial get-together way back when. Did sparks fly? Maybe not so much. These 15 real women share what their first dates were like with their now-partners: boyfriends, fiancés, and husbands. Read on to uncover the good, the bad, the super cutesy, and even the ugly. “I recall being very sweaty! I don’t normally sweat much but I recall practically soaking my shirt through! I was so excited and nervous to be on a date with Michael. A number of girls in our high school wanted to date Michael and had tried unsuccessfully to do so. It was a big deal to be on a date with him and something I worked toward for a solid four months. I still remember the thrill of elbows touching, how scandalous!” — Alexandra C., Forest Hills, Queens, NY More from CafeMom: 10 Women Share Why They Chose to Become Moms Before Wives “Ian flying to New York on a whim to stay with me for a week was really our first date. Our first ‘date-date’ was the following day. We went to the Grey Dog in the West Village, which is was homey and yummy and perfect. Then we walked the High Line, holding hands, moving slowly, and really just taking it in. We were probably the two most unrushed people in New York City that day. From there, we went for mint chip ice cream and more wandering and, on the way home, he stopped suddenly and asked if I had a vase and right then and there bought me white roses, my favorite. That whole day was romantic but in no way forced. Then we went home, made some gin and tonics, turned on a Blues hockey game, live streamed a Coast Modern concert, and just danced around together like we’d had a 1,001 of those same nights together.” — Chelsea L., New York, NY “[On our first date] when I first walked into [the bar], the bartender jumped over the bar to give me a hug and huge double kiss. Ryan really had no clue what to think: ‘How does she know him? Does she bring a lot of guys here?!’ — but he ended up being an ex-client of mine and recently moved to work there. It’s very funny when Ryan now recounts this story to others, because I had thought nothing of it at the time.” — Brittney L., New York City More from CafeMom: Here’s the ‘Official’ Amount You Should Give as a Wedding Gift “Oak and I took my two sons to a live outdoor performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Old Sacramento. We all got hot coco and popcorn and watched the performance together huddled up next to each other. This was a first for me on so many levels — the first time my boys had seen this performance, the first time I merged my dating life and my family life, and the first time I felt like I found someone who didn’t need to separate my identity as a single mom from who they wanted to date. The boys then took us by the hand and ran us over to a vintage video game store where we all played Pac-Man and TMNT on old-school arcade machines. My oldest son put Oak’s hand in mine and said, ‘You should be his girlfriend.’” — Kenna C., Sacramento “We had our first date at Bar Veloce on Second Avenue in the East Village in New York City. The venue was my pick — Howie had suggested the now-shuttered Luna Park in Union Square, which I vetoed because I was a little bit of a city snob and had felt it had had its heyday back in summer ‘02. Anyway, Howie had driven in — he was living upstate, where his business was — and picked me up at my apartment. We walked down to Bar Veloce, snagged a table, and proceeded to have many glasses of wine and just talk. Not first date interview — à la ‘What do you do? Where did you grow up? Do you have siblings?’ — but really talk. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wow, this is so unusual in a good way.’ I was stoked to not feel like we were lobbing Q&As at each other but having true conversation. It felt so un-first date-y, which I loved. I remember thinking this guy is a great storyteller and has lots of insight and interest, and as the night progressed, I became more and more attracted. He had a kind smile and was confident — two things that were really appealing. “At the end of our first date, he walked me home and said he’d like to see me again but hugged me good-bye and didn’t try to kiss me — which threw me for a loop.” — Jaime M., Jersey City, NJ “We decided to grab drinks at Angel Share in the East Village. After [he told me] I had to find this sushi restaurant and walk upstairs, find an unmarked door, and then I’ll find the speakeasy, you could say I was a bit intrigued but also very nervous for where we were going. It ended up being the best night, and I really started falling for him that first night, on a Thursday. We went for lunch on Saturday afternoon, followed by dinner on Monday night and after the third date, we decided we weren’t going to see other people. We’ve literally been best friends since Day One and continue to share in the same joy we did six years [ago], just being together, exploring and always having the most fun possible.” — Sam R., New York City “We met at a comic book shop because we both mentioned we liked comics. When I walked in I found him towards the back and asked, ‘Dan?’ When he turned around, the bag on his back knocked over a bunch of display boxes and he looked terrified, like a deer in headlights. We awkwardly walked around the comic book shop flipping through pages and making small talk before grabbing coffee and people-watching in Union Square. We talked for two hours that night and then parted ways with a simple good-bye. We saw each other again two days later for the friends-pizza outing. Once we fell into a more comfortable pattern with each other, perhaps after two weeks or so of hanging out, I realized I really liked him.” — Annmarie M., New York City “Usually rough around the edges, Joe picked me up in a sweater and tie and treated me like a queen. I was a wallflower but everyone at school knew Joe; it was quite an experience.” — Carrie A., Erie, PA More from CafeMom: People Are Legitimately Marrying Themselves in the Name of Self-Love “A silly moment we shared was when Jeff asked me why I wasn’t eating. I blurted out like fool, ‘When I’m with someone I enjoy talking to sometimes I don’t eat.’ Well, the cat was out of the bag right then. Obviously I was more interested in him than just working together. And obviously that was true, as we have been together for 18 years. We plan to get married on our 20th anniversary.” — Trish H., Los Angeles “Anton asked me out for a casual Wednesday night drink at a favorite Tribeca spot in New York City. I remember it being a sweltering evening but inside it was cool and dark and Anton got there early and got us prime seats at the bar. We had planned to just get a drink but got wildly lost in conversation and lost all track of time. Suddenly the lights came on and without realizing it seven hours had passed and the bar was closing! I didn’t want the night to end.” — Erika R., New York City “We had really fallen in love before seeing each other. We had a couple of drinks and went for a walk even though it was rainy. We ended up at Lincoln Center and he kissed me on one of the benches in front of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. I let him walk me home to my apartment a few blocks away, but wouldn’t let him stay! He had to go back to Jersey at like 2 a.m.” — Christine B., New Jersey

15 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1315 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 9115 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 7115 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 8615 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 4515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 815 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 9415 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 4515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 3515 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 6115 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 8415 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 215 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 3015 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 25

title: “15 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-11” author: “Rheba Richardson”

As second, third, and infinite dates go by, weeks and months later, it’s nice to reminisce about that initial get-together way back when. Did sparks fly? Maybe not so much. These 15 real women share what their first dates were like with their now-partners: boyfriends, fiancés, and husbands. Read on to uncover the good, the bad, the super cutesy, and even the ugly. “I recall being very sweaty! I don’t normally sweat much but I recall practically soaking my shirt through! I was so excited and nervous to be on a date with Michael. A number of girls in our high school wanted to date Michael and had tried unsuccessfully to do so. It was a big deal to be on a date with him and something I worked toward for a solid four months. I still remember the thrill of elbows touching, how scandalous!” — Alexandra C., Forest Hills, Queens, NY More from CafeMom: 10 Women Share Why They Chose to Become Moms Before Wives “Ian flying to New York on a whim to stay with me for a week was really our first date. Our first ‘date-date’ was the following day. We went to the Grey Dog in the West Village, which is was homey and yummy and perfect. Then we walked the High Line, holding hands, moving slowly, and really just taking it in. We were probably the two most unrushed people in New York City that day. From there, we went for mint chip ice cream and more wandering and, on the way home, he stopped suddenly and asked if I had a vase and right then and there bought me white roses, my favorite. That whole day was romantic but in no way forced. Then we went home, made some gin and tonics, turned on a Blues hockey game, live streamed a Coast Modern concert, and just danced around together like we’d had a 1,001 of those same nights together.” — Chelsea L., New York, NY “[On our first date] when I first walked into [the bar], the bartender jumped over the bar to give me a hug and huge double kiss. Ryan really had no clue what to think: ‘How does she know him? Does she bring a lot of guys here?!’ — but he ended up being an ex-client of mine and recently moved to work there. It’s very funny when Ryan now recounts this story to others, because I had thought nothing of it at the time.” — Brittney L., New York City More from CafeMom: Here’s the ‘Official’ Amount You Should Give as a Wedding Gift “Oak and I took my two sons to a live outdoor performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Old Sacramento. We all got hot coco and popcorn and watched the performance together huddled up next to each other. This was a first for me on so many levels — the first time my boys had seen this performance, the first time I merged my dating life and my family life, and the first time I felt like I found someone who didn’t need to separate my identity as a single mom from who they wanted to date. The boys then took us by the hand and ran us over to a vintage video game store where we all played Pac-Man and TMNT on old-school arcade machines. My oldest son put Oak’s hand in mine and said, ‘You should be his girlfriend.’” — Kenna C., Sacramento “We had our first date at Bar Veloce on Second Avenue in the East Village in New York City. The venue was my pick — Howie had suggested the now-shuttered Luna Park in Union Square, which I vetoed because I was a little bit of a city snob and had felt it had had its heyday back in summer ‘02. Anyway, Howie had driven in — he was living upstate, where his business was — and picked me up at my apartment. We walked down to Bar Veloce, snagged a table, and proceeded to have many glasses of wine and just talk. Not first date interview — à la ‘What do you do? Where did you grow up? Do you have siblings?’ — but really talk. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wow, this is so unusual in a good way.’ I was stoked to not feel like we were lobbing Q&As at each other but having true conversation. It felt so un-first date-y, which I loved. I remember thinking this guy is a great storyteller and has lots of insight and interest, and as the night progressed, I became more and more attracted. He had a kind smile and was confident — two things that were really appealing. “At the end of our first date, he walked me home and said he’d like to see me again but hugged me good-bye and didn’t try to kiss me — which threw me for a loop.” — Jaime M., Jersey City, NJ “We decided to grab drinks at Angel Share in the East Village. After [he told me] I had to find this sushi restaurant and walk upstairs, find an unmarked door, and then I’ll find the speakeasy, you could say I was a bit intrigued but also very nervous for where we were going. It ended up being the best night, and I really started falling for him that first night, on a Thursday. We went for lunch on Saturday afternoon, followed by dinner on Monday night and after the third date, we decided we weren’t going to see other people. We’ve literally been best friends since Day One and continue to share in the same joy we did six years [ago], just being together, exploring and always having the most fun possible.” — Sam R., New York City “We met at a comic book shop because we both mentioned we liked comics. When I walked in I found him towards the back and asked, ‘Dan?’ When he turned around, the bag on his back knocked over a bunch of display boxes and he looked terrified, like a deer in headlights. We awkwardly walked around the comic book shop flipping through pages and making small talk before grabbing coffee and people-watching in Union Square. We talked for two hours that night and then parted ways with a simple good-bye. We saw each other again two days later for the friends-pizza outing. Once we fell into a more comfortable pattern with each other, perhaps after two weeks or so of hanging out, I realized I really liked him.” — Annmarie M., New York City “Usually rough around the edges, Joe picked me up in a sweater and tie and treated me like a queen. I was a wallflower but everyone at school knew Joe; it was quite an experience.” — Carrie A., Erie, PA More from CafeMom: People Are Legitimately Marrying Themselves in the Name of Self-Love “A silly moment we shared was when Jeff asked me why I wasn’t eating. I blurted out like fool, ‘When I’m with someone I enjoy talking to sometimes I don’t eat.’ Well, the cat was out of the bag right then. Obviously I was more interested in him than just working together. And obviously that was true, as we have been together for 18 years. We plan to get married on our 20th anniversary.” — Trish H., Los Angeles “Anton asked me out for a casual Wednesday night drink at a favorite Tribeca spot in New York City. I remember it being a sweltering evening but inside it was cool and dark and Anton got there early and got us prime seats at the bar. We had planned to just get a drink but got wildly lost in conversation and lost all track of time. Suddenly the lights came on and without realizing it seven hours had passed and the bar was closing! I didn’t want the night to end.” — Erika R., New York City “We had really fallen in love before seeing each other. We had a couple of drinks and went for a walk even though it was rainy. We ended up at Lincoln Center and he kissed me on one of the benches in front of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. I let him walk me home to my apartment a few blocks away, but wouldn’t let him stay! He had to go back to Jersey at like 2 a.m.” — Christine B., New Jersey

15 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 9215 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 7815 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 5115 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1015 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 9015 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 4915 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1715 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 3815 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 715 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 8015 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 4815 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 5015 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 5715 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 1715 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 4615 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 6715 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like - 38

title: “15 Partnered Women Share What Their First Dates Were Like” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-17” author: “Renee Toomer”

As second, third, and infinite dates go by, weeks and months later, it’s nice to reminisce about that initial get-together way back when. Did sparks fly? Maybe not so much. These 15 real women share what their first dates were like with their now-partners: boyfriends, fiancés, and husbands. Read on to uncover the good, the bad, the super cutesy, and even the ugly. “I recall being very sweaty! I don’t normally sweat much but I recall practically soaking my shirt through! I was so excited and nervous to be on a date with Michael. A number of girls in our high school wanted to date Michael and had tried unsuccessfully to do so. It was a big deal to be on a date with him and something I worked toward for a solid four months. I still remember the thrill of elbows touching, how scandalous!” — Alexandra C., Forest Hills, Queens, NY More from CafeMom: 10 Women Share Why They Chose to Become Moms Before Wives “Ian flying to New York on a whim to stay with me for a week was really our first date. Our first ‘date-date’ was the following day. We went to the Grey Dog in the West Village, which is was homey and yummy and perfect. Then we walked the High Line, holding hands, moving slowly, and really just taking it in. We were probably the two most unrushed people in New York City that day. From there, we went for mint chip ice cream and more wandering and, on the way home, he stopped suddenly and asked if I had a vase and right then and there bought me white roses, my favorite. That whole day was romantic but in no way forced. Then we went home, made some gin and tonics, turned on a Blues hockey game, live streamed a Coast Modern concert, and just danced around together like we’d had a 1,001 of those same nights together.” — Chelsea L., New York, NY “[On our first date] when I first walked into [the bar], the bartender jumped over the bar to give me a hug and huge double kiss. Ryan really had no clue what to think: ‘How does she know him? Does she bring a lot of guys here?!’ — but he ended up being an ex-client of mine and recently moved to work there. It’s very funny when Ryan now recounts this story to others, because I had thought nothing of it at the time.” — Brittney L., New York City More from CafeMom: Here’s the ‘Official’ Amount You Should Give as a Wedding Gift “Oak and I took my two sons to a live outdoor performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas in Old Sacramento. We all got hot coco and popcorn and watched the performance together huddled up next to each other. This was a first for me on so many levels — the first time my boys had seen this performance, the first time I merged my dating life and my family life, and the first time I felt like I found someone who didn’t need to separate my identity as a single mom from who they wanted to date. The boys then took us by the hand and ran us over to a vintage video game store where we all played Pac-Man and TMNT on old-school arcade machines. My oldest son put Oak’s hand in mine and said, ‘You should be his girlfriend.’” — Kenna C., Sacramento “We had our first date at Bar Veloce on Second Avenue in the East Village in New York City. The venue was my pick — Howie had suggested the now-shuttered Luna Park in Union Square, which I vetoed because I was a little bit of a city snob and had felt it had had its heyday back in summer ‘02. Anyway, Howie had driven in — he was living upstate, where his business was — and picked me up at my apartment. We walked down to Bar Veloce, snagged a table, and proceeded to have many glasses of wine and just talk. Not first date interview — à la ‘What do you do? Where did you grow up? Do you have siblings?’ — but really talk. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wow, this is so unusual in a good way.’ I was stoked to not feel like we were lobbing Q&As at each other but having true conversation. It felt so un-first date-y, which I loved. I remember thinking this guy is a great storyteller and has lots of insight and interest, and as the night progressed, I became more and more attracted. He had a kind smile and was confident — two things that were really appealing. “At the end of our first date, he walked me home and said he’d like to see me again but hugged me good-bye and didn’t try to kiss me — which threw me for a loop.” — Jaime M., Jersey City, NJ “We decided to grab drinks at Angel Share in the East Village. After [he told me] I had to find this sushi restaurant and walk upstairs, find an unmarked door, and then I’ll find the speakeasy, you could say I was a bit intrigued but also very nervous for where we were going. It ended up being the best night, and I really started falling for him that first night, on a Thursday. We went for lunch on Saturday afternoon, followed by dinner on Monday night and after the third date, we decided we weren’t going to see other people. We’ve literally been best friends since Day One and continue to share in the same joy we did six years [ago], just being together, exploring and always having the most fun possible.” — Sam R., New York City “We met at a comic book shop because we both mentioned we liked comics. When I walked in I found him towards the back and asked, ‘Dan?’ When he turned around, the bag on his back knocked over a bunch of display boxes and he looked terrified, like a deer in headlights. We awkwardly walked around the comic book shop flipping through pages and making small talk before grabbing coffee and people-watching in Union Square. We talked for two hours that night and then parted ways with a simple good-bye. We saw each other again two days later for the friends-pizza outing. Once we fell into a more comfortable pattern with each other, perhaps after two weeks or so of hanging out, I realized I really liked him.” — Annmarie M., New York City “Usually rough around the edges, Joe picked me up in a sweater and tie and treated me like a queen. I was a wallflower but everyone at school knew Joe; it was quite an experience.” — Carrie A., Erie, PA More from CafeMom: People Are Legitimately Marrying Themselves in the Name of Self-Love “A silly moment we shared was when Jeff asked me why I wasn’t eating. I blurted out like fool, ‘When I’m with someone I enjoy talking to sometimes I don’t eat.’ Well, the cat was out of the bag right then. Obviously I was more interested in him than just working together. And obviously that was true, as we have been together for 18 years. We plan to get married on our 20th anniversary.” — Trish H., Los Angeles “Anton asked me out for a casual Wednesday night drink at a favorite Tribeca spot in New York City. I remember it being a sweltering evening but inside it was cool and dark and Anton got there early and got us prime seats at the bar. We had planned to just get a drink but got wildly lost in conversation and lost all track of time. Suddenly the lights came on and without realizing it seven hours had passed and the bar was closing! I didn’t want the night to end.” — Erika R., New York City “We had really fallen in love before seeing each other. We had a couple of drinks and went for a walk even though it was rainy. We ended up at Lincoln Center and he kissed me on one of the benches in front of the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. I let him walk me home to my apartment a few blocks away, but wouldn’t let him stay! He had to go back to Jersey at like 2 a.m.” — Christine B., New Jersey

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