Deanna's Dealings: The Date

Recently I was asked - Why is it important to date? Well... I gave real careful thought to this question. Out of bitterness to a routine broken heart, I would have probably responded out loud very quickly - well, it's not. Then you never get hurt:) But I've pondered this question a great deal the passed few weeks. I mean, it is very important for young single adults to date...not "date" or be "dated" but to go on dates. It's opportunities such as dates to get to know individuals on a more personal level and seek to find qualities you may or may not want in a future companion. It is important, I feel, to actively seek to find those compatible persons whom seek to find you also. This in no way means that anyone should be in any real hurry or rush to get married. There is no timeline to dating, nor is their any real pressing thing that should push couples or individuals to make rash decisions they themselves are not ready for. It's not a race - for anyone! But regardless of the end result, ladies and gentlemen should be dating.

I've noticed that dating has changed significantly in the last few years. When my older siblings were in school, dating was different then steady dating. The term "dating" has become a loose term - and a more crucial term - for what we more commonly call a Relationship. When one asks, "Are they dating?" What they really mean to say is, "Are they officially together and off the market for anyone else to even consider asking on a date?" It's so true! Back in the day, I remember observing many fun group dates that my brothers and sister hosted. Whether it be sending a date on a scavanger hunt to find dinner, to having dinner in the middle of a median on a busy street, to burying dinner, to feeding your date, to making your own pizza's and pizza boxes, to dressing up and acting like superheros, to creating candyland . . . everything was so fun and creative. Giving individuals the opportunity to be themselves, have fun, laugh with friends, all the while spend time with someone they would like to get to know! To be asked on a date, and to accept a date was a big deal..and now it's so lazy. Either guys are intimidated girls will take an invite the wrong way (which in some cases holds much truth) or they just don't feel the need, there is seriously a lack of motivation to GO ON DATES in North Idaho.

That being said, our institute teacher shed light on the issue and asked us how we felt about dating...why we do it, and why we don't. It was enlightening to hear others veiw points which ranged from - to save from getting hurt, to not lead on someone else, to steer away from any misconception of feelings, to avoid rejection, to avoiding conflict. All legitmate concerns, and I had never really thought that someone else might somehow have the same irrational fears about "dating" as I do. It seems that I can probably count on ONE hand how many "not serious" dates I've been on. I have been in relationships where we go on dates, but I haven't gone on fun dates very often...(i'm not complaining, i don't really regret this.)

So, here's the deal. Following that institute a plan was formulated to create a date. The following is an accurate account of the evening (to the best my memory serves):

Group:

Brittney Kramer - Rob Robinson

Minta Kramer - Josh Wiltse

Deanna Noble - Anthony Trunnell

Dr. Kim Barbee - Matthew Bouse

Agenda:

Meet at 6pm at Kim's.

Drive Deanna's Father's truck out to her parents place

Load up the boat

Dinner and Fun

Fire

& back to town for a wally walk.

We did just as the agenda says. We met at 6 and drove out to Mom and Dad's. Once there we changed into swimsuits, gathered last minute items, and took off in the pontoon boat! We ate directly in the middle of Lake Pend Orielle across from Hope, Kootenai, Bottle Bay and Sandpoint. It was a beautiful night. Dad prepared 4 male foil dinners, and 4 female foil dinners and packed them in a cooler. We ate dinner then went swimming (I know real safe. Anthony pointed out that we should probably wait at least a half hour before getting in the water for safety percautions) but we we did say a prayer so all is well. After jumping in the FREEZING cold water (mind you, this was the first nice day in a while, a long while) we quickly got back out. Only swam for probably a total of 15 minutes. We got out, changed into dry clothes, and played games:) After awhile around dusk time - we headed back to the dock to warm up by a fire with s'mores. We talked and played a game that the YSA like to now call "the hot seat" which consists of talking about yourself, then allowing everyone to ask questions where anything goes! This really helped all 8 of us get to know one another on a more personal level. We put the fire out around 11:45 and headed back to town to Walmart where we purchased a card (and twizzlers for Anthony) and said our goodbye's for the evening. We shared many laughs which to this day offer us many inside jokes, and a great memory for us all. It was fun to actually go on a date, rather then the usual YSA "hangout"....

This week I was asked on a date to go hiking, but I had to postpone as my work schedule is currently chaotic due to lack of managers at the movie theater. But soon I'll have the new supervisor trained and ready for business and I'll be able to have a social life once more:)

There is already another group date in the works, and will update about that later!

The foil dinners dad made for us packed up in a cooler.

Anthony's towel really said "brave the wave" but Brave was more fitting for how cold the water was.

The oreo game my family stole from minute to win it. the object is to wiggle the oreo from your forehead to your mouth without touching it. haha harder then it sounds.