A Funny Date Story

People at some point in time in their life, have a funny story or two they share with others. My story, which I was always embarrassed to tell, falls into the category of funny, disastrous, and has a happy ending. In my twenties I was a shy person, I had a hard time finding someone I was compatible with. I worked in the customer service department at a rental agency. Most of my days was spent on the phone helping people find houses or apartments to rent.

One day this gentleman had enough courage to ask me on a blind date. He told me that he figured since we talked almost everyday on the phone, it should not be so awkward. I hesitated, but agreed to go on a blind date, only because he had to go through a screening process with the company I worked for, what he had put on application was all true. We set the date for that evening. He showed up at my door on time, I was a nervous wreak. Afraid to open the door I peeked through the drapes to catch a glimpse at him. He was tall, blond hair dressed in blue jeans and nice shirt. I gathered myself together and opened the door with a smile, he extended his hand out, and introduced himself. In shaking his hand noticed , he had a soft but firm handshake, I just exhaled slowly, smiled and said "hello".

Like a perfect gentleman he walked me to his truck, It was one like you see in the monster truck events with large tires, the floor of his truck was between my knees and waist, approximately 3 or 4 feet high,he opened the passenger door for me. I stood there staring down at my jeans, which were new and a little tight for me at the time, thinking there is no way I can climb into that truck. In watching me he laughed softly, reaching into the rear of the cab he took down a milk crate for me to step on. Alright, this may go well after all I thought. We drove down this little park which had a pier, where allot of people liked to fish. Now I am getting worried at the how the rest of this date will go. He hopped out of the truck and came around to the passenger side, again with milk crate and his help I managed just fine getting out of this monster truck. From out of the bed of the truck he took out two fishing poles and a tackle box. I raised my eyebrows thinking, he is serious, we are going to fish on our first date. I have not fished since I was about 7 years old. Looking at me he smiled and tilted his head for me to follow. I smiled back, and followed him down to the shore.

He opened his tackle box, taking out the container of worms, he set it down between us. Handing me a pole he asked if I needed help baiting it. I shook my head no as I took the fishing rod. I picked up a worm and baited the hook, with a look of confidence on my face. He looked at me and smiled, then casted out his line. He set the rod end into the hole in the pier and sat down on the grass, waiting for me to cast out my line. Now this is where it gets difficult. I was going to show him I was quite able to cast. I took a deep breath and casted the rod forward, and nothing. He fell backwards laughing. "You did not let go of the button when you cast the rod out " he said as he got to his feet. Walking toward me, I held out my hand for him to stop. "I can do this, just been a very long time." I replied laughing back. He stood tall waiting patiently as once again, I cast the rod out letting go of the button. I was excited to see the line flow outward, almost in slow motion, I became horrified as the wind took it ,then I heard a yell. "OUCH" . Startled I turned to him, my mouth dropped as I noticed my line has hooked him in the calf of his leg. I dropped the pole hurried to him as he was unhooking the hook from his skin. "I am so sorry" I must of repeated that five times, before he actually laughed. Watching him put a band-aid on the wound, he got to his feet and handed me the rod. Now I am thinking this man is not right, after what just happened. "Give it another try, only this time I will be standing over there" he said laughing as he pointing to the bench about 15 feet behind us. I could not help but to laugh as I watch him walk away.

Looking out at the water, taking a deep breath I cast out again, this time, the line went out over the water and plunged into the lake. I jumped up and down in joy . He walked over towards me clapping, patted me on the back. "I knew you could do it." I could not help but to smile with relief as maybe this date will not be so disastrous after all. I placed the rod into the hole and sat on the ground next to him. We talked while as we waited for the bell to ring signaling a bite. My bell began to ding, we stood up, he handed me my rod and the line started to pull fast. I got scared as whatever it was on the other end was not small, so I handed it to him and stepped back. I watched nervously as he fought trying to reel in what I caught. We noticed something pop above the water and go down again. He looked at me in disbelief before he ran down the pier, I was terrified as whatever it was had a flat tail, like a beaver or something. I watched as he finally stopped and cut the line. I watched nervously as he walked slowly towards me, shaking his head looking at the ground. About now, I know this is bad. When he looked up I saw he was laughing. "I do not know what it is you caught, but all I know is , I was not going to fish it out of the water" he said.

We both started to laugh. "Maybe this fishing thing was not such a good idea for a first date, but I can tell you I had one heck of a good time" He said as he started to put the equipment back into the tackle box. I shook my head and agreed. We gathered our things and headed back to the truck. It was even a longer drive home as not one word was spoken. He pulled into the driveway, got out and came to the passenger side opening the door, he set the milk crate down and held out his hand. We walked up to the door, again not saying one word. "Listen, I understand totally this date did not go very well, I wounded you and Lord knows what animal tonight. " I said as I opened the door. He turned me around and smiled. " It was not picture perfect, but how much more perfect can a first date go, I want to try again." he said as he leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

We did go out several times, and once again like the first date, there were several funny mishaps. We found we very compatible as friends and we left it at that. We have no regrets, in fact we both grew from these experiences as we both married and started our own lives. But our friendship and memories, are something we never will forget.