We Need More Practice

On Friday night, Clayton and I had our first date in, well, quite some time.  We were trying out a new babysitter in preparation for this week's big Anesthesiology Christmas party (we have had babysitters break down in tears and say they just can't handle our kids, so we have to have small trial runs).  We went to a little Thai cafe down the street.  The funniest thing about the place I picked, was that we know very little about Thai food.  Clayton finally asked what the strange-looking things in the basket on our table were.  "Styrofoam.  Edible styrofoam." the waiter said.  Then he laughed and said they were really shrimp-flavored rice crisps.  We would have bought the edible styrofoam thing, as that's just what they looked and tasted like.  I ordered the house specialty, ginger beef, which was NOTHING like Canadian ginger beef.  Clayton laughed, as he must have known it wouldn't be anything like what I was expecting.  Anyway, the service was incredibly fast, so we were in and out in half an hour.  What to do next?  We had wanted to just walk and talk, but the frigid temperatures drove us to the car.  We ended up doing some grocery shopping at Kroger and browsing at Borders, and we still had a lot of time left until our two hours were up.  Clayton started driving us around town, and we simultaneously burst out laughing--we stink at dating!  I guess we are so out of practice, we just don't even remember how to hang out together.  Things went well with the babysitter, so I guess we'll have to practice a little bit more!

I still remember our first date:  a "taco survey."  I noticed Clayton for the first time at our Singles' Branch F.H.E.  I know, kind of cliche.  I wasn't so sure I wanted to be involved in the Singles' Branch over the summer, as it had a reputation, but I decided to try to support the activities anyway.  I remember Clayton being really cute, and kind of reserved.  He says he had first noticed me the preceding couple of Sundays, but thought I was dating someone.  We found out each other's names during a game of Do You Love Your Neighbor?, and he called me later that night to ask me out.  I was a little bit confused when our caller i.d. said "Wade Smith," as I knew the Smiths had no sons.  I guess Clay's cousin, Carly, said he could ask anyone out except me, as she didn't like me, but that was just the motivation he needed to go for it.  

Clayton says that when he pulled up to our front gate, he almost turned around to go home.  I guess he was picturing a spoiled, rich girl and figured he'd made a big mistake.  Luckily, he decided to come in.  Then, he was fortunate enough to meet both of my parents, as I was home for the summer.  Clayton claims my dad was very intimidating.  :)  

It was a double date with his cousin and her husband, and we went to four different taco restaurants to sample and rate the food.  They even brought a camera to take pictures of us at the different places.  I should have been scared off by Rebecca's comment, "You know, Brad and I did a taco survey for our first date, and we ended up getting married,"  but I guess I was already smitten.  We played pick-up truck frisbee in an empty parking lot, and then I think we played Rook at the Jones's house.  I was having a really great time, even though I spilled my drink all over myself and was very embarrassed.  Clayton took me home and claims I was so quiet that he thought I had a horrible time.  He was so quiet, I thought he had a horrible time.  Who knows why he called a few days later to ask me out again, but the rest is history.  

Here's to dating and keeping the love alive!