Remarkable dates: Perfect date with Courtney

It was the fall semester of our senior year when Courtney learned that her parents were divorcing. It was a fairly civil seperation, which only caused more confusion for Cortney as she wrestled with “why”. As her parents were Christian too, the whole event was shaking her to the core. She became listless personally, and lost focus on her studies. By November, she was gradually slipping into a depression. Her roomate and closest friends came to me to ask if I could help cheer her up. The prospect of Thanksgiving was especially depressing to her, as it was the first holiday since her parents had split.

Her mother lived in their family home in a city a few hours south of the college. I made plans with Courtney before we left on holiday that I would come down the day after Thanksgiving and we could just pal around. She thought that sounded great. She suggested a drive through the nearby mountains.

I arrived that morning and met her mother. Courtney was curiously excited. I detailed my plans to her mother while she packed us a picnic lunch from the Thanksgiving leftovers. I had checked into renting a Jeep, but none were available, so my older (but suddenly clean!) T-bird would have to due through the mountains.

We left around noon. It was a half-hour drive through the city to reach the mountains, and another 30 minute drive upward. Courtney made giddy small talk while giving me directions, then began to open up some of the feelings that had been getting her down. It was pleasant conversation, and the fact that I wasn’t shocked or appalled by her comments helped her to relax more.

We reached an overlook area with lots of rocks and boulders and no greenery. Many people were stopped and out climbing on the rocks. We decided to do the same. I changed shoes and we scrambled off the overlook and away from the crowds. We just kinda went from rock to rock, climbing over whatever crossed our path. Soon, we were struggling to ascend a 20-25 foot knob of rock by wedging ourselves against an adjacent rock. I was nervous; there was a significant chance of severe injury should either of us slip. But, we persevered and laid out side by side to bask in the sun and rest on top of the knob.

After resting for awhile, we evaluated our descent. We decided to hop to a different rock and climb down that one. Then, Courtney began hopping more and more. Each leap from boulder to boulder was farther, and the difference between tops was growing in height. After a 4th jump that scared me, I reined her in and insisted we climb down this rock, now. She moped that I “never let her have fun”… until we got down. Then, she revealed that it was a kind of test – she wanted to know that I was looking out for her. [grinning]

We scavenged our way back up and to the car, then proceeded to drive on up the mountain and to a ski area just over the summit. The air was cool, but the sun was bright, and Courtney decided she wanted to ride the lifts. Understand, I expected this outing to be a picnic sort of deal – no cash needed. I certainly didn’t expect the $18.50 for two lift tickets and snacks. But, I pulled the emergency $50 from the secret compartment in my billfold with confidence. I think I passed this test, too. [chuckling]

The slopes were essentially snow free, but there was patches of old snow on the summit. We enjoyed the view on the ride up, explored around the summit, and had a snowball fight. The day was going swimmingly.

Back in the car, driving back the way we came, we stopped at a different, less popular overlook where Courtney unpacked the picnic. We ate on the hood til it became too chilly for comfort, then into the car where Cortney enjoyed a wine cooler. We had broken past that nervous, tenious point. We were being completely ourselves with each other. She was smiling often, and the cloud that had been following her was lifted.

We made it back to her home around 6pm. Her mother had left for the evening. Courtney gave me a more detailed tour of her home, then we went for a walk around her neighborhood. She told me stories of the neighbors – which ones were “nice”, which house had scared her as a child… We eventually made it back to her house. It was dusk, which is when I had planned our date to end. She actually invited me to stay the night. We are both Christians, and I wasn’t sure what she was offering. But for my own part, I didn’t want to be tempted beyond what I could stand, so I respectfully declined.

I left with a kiss.

Granted, this was not the most intense date, or even the most interesting date. But, as dates go, it went, well, perfectly. I have been on other dates that went as well as this, and some of them were more intense or interesting. I offer this story mostly as a counter to the next story… Date From Hell.