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Dating & Valentine's Day Advice

 Dating and Valentine's Day Advice
Are you ready for Valentine's Day?

Just for kicks and giggles, I decided to compare opinions about dating with different age groups.  Remarkably, the expectations of each group surprised me, especially with the young.  Buckle up.  This just may surprise you too!

Questions Asked: "What was your best date and why?"

The age groups were varied: teens (12-17); 20 to 30-year-olds; and 50+. My expectations: youngest to focus on kissing; 20 to 30-year-olds to focus on Valentine gifts, and oldsters focus on potential relationship material.  Uh... not so much. 

Surprisingly, all focused on becoming comfortable with their date, communicating, treating, or being treated as special, and FUN. 

What does this mean for all of us?

In my opinion, the survey results reveal that expensive gifts and dinners are unnecessary to impress our love.  Our love interest appears to be more interested in being heard and understood.  They yearn to be heard and understood, and for us to act on their interests.  Most of all, it’s imperative to treat that person as the most important person in the world.   Keenly listen, share, and reveal our feelings and thoughts. 

My Findings

Answers from those 12 to 17-years-old

  • “Going to a movie is fun; plus, I don't have to talk much.”  
  • “Watching a movie at my date's home or to do homework so she/he could meet the family.” 
  • “Walking around our small/safe town.”
  • “Meeting with friends at a game.” 

Pondering gender specific requirements or expectations for dating, I separated the results of the two following age groups.

Answers from those 20-30-years-old

Females

Best Date: “My husband took me to a special restaurant and proposed.  At the end of the meal the waiter brought out a plate with "Will you marry me?" written in chocolate.  Afterward, we to see the play Les Misérables.”

  • What made the date especially special: “My husband surprised me and planned the entire night.  I felt like a queen.”

Best Date.  “There were two and both were surprises and exceptionally fun.  One was a hike in a mountain park with a picnic and the other was a trip to the ocean.” 

  • What made the date so special: “Both treated me as special and each put a lot of thought into making the day perfect for me.  I felt special.” 

Males

Best Date: “I thought she was just a friend.  We met for coffee and ended up talking for hours.  We've been together ever since.”

  • What made the date so special: “She listened, and I felt safe to be me.  It was just such an open conversation where we communicated honestly.  It's strange, but I didn't even realize how beautiful she was until that day.” 

Answers from those 50 years old and better

Females

Best Date: “Of interest, I didn't enjoy the person much, but the date idea was wonderful.  He created a great picnic with wine, snacks, and a game.  We actually flew kites.”

  • What made the date so special: “It was enjoyable, and he put a lot of thought into it.” 

Best Date: “My future husband planned the entire night of dinner and a stroll around a historic part of a large city.  It was summer so it was warm.  We could have talked and walked for hours; it was just so easy being around him.  We have been together ever since.”

  • What made the date so special: “Even though he planned the entire night, he requested my input.  All night he encouraged me to talk and truly listened.  Smiling most the time, he appeared accepting.  He was a true gentleman the entire night.” 

Best Date: “As a 60+ person, I still view my prom date as the best.  Since I loved to dress up, it was a perfect opportunity; and the date was as well.  Everything seemed to be perfect.”   

  • What made the date so special: “He was a perfect gentleman. He knew how to treat a lady and make me feel like one.” 

Best Date: “Remembering all my favorites, my boyfriend surprised me with a picnic and planned the entire day.  It was perfect.” 

  • What made the date so special:  “He treated me like a lady, planned the entire day, and remembered what I liked to eat.”   

Males

Best Date: “I met an internet date at a local deli for lunch.  We sat outside chatting nearly all day.  It was the best date.  I couldn't sleep all night thinking of it.” 

  • What made the date so special: “We communicated and connected on many levels.”
Please share your best date!

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