Dennis recalls the First Date:
After a few shared messages, we decided to meet at a restaurant. First date was Prairie Moon Restaurant in Evanston on 9/5/2015. My first memory, as she was walking up to me in the front of the restaurant, was “wow she is pretty” and “boy am I under dressed”. At the time, she introduced herself as Maria. I believe I didn’t learn her real name was Ria until the 3rd date. Not sure if that was an oversight on her part or commentary on my trustworthiness. I spent the date trying to be humorous and the conversationalist. It seemed like she was a bit of an introvert and that I just needed to break through the shell. I don’t remember what we ate or what we said but I remember that I had a nice time at dinner. Walking her back to her car, I was already hoping she would agree to a second date. Looking at her car, I was thinking though that if there was another date, perhaps I should drive (noticed a lot of scratches on the side of her car). We ended with a hug and a “I’ll message you”. Getting back to my car, I figured that I didn’t want to appear desperate so I waited at least 5 seconds before texting her, telling her I had a great time, and asking her out again. Lucky for me, she still said yes in spite of my act of desperation!
Ria recalls the First Date:
Our first date was at the Prairie Moon Restaurant in Evanston. Oddly enough, I have a very strong recollection of the first day I met Dennis. He was wearing a black V neck t-shirt, a beige cargo shorts, and brown leather flip flops. He was standing outside the restaurant talking on the phone (as usual). I walked up to him and he gave me a quick hug. I wasn’t nervous at all on the first date. In fact, I was slightly jaded that this was going to be just another ordinary date. I let him do most of the talking. He made me laugh, I felt comfortable with him. He was sweet and very intellectual. He turned out to be the most amazing person I have met in my life. That is how our fairy tales started.