Five in Five: Week Four

Another week, another date.

For someone who hasn’t been on a date in quite some time, I’ve certainly been getting out and about in the past few weeks. Five in Five is a brilliant idea, and even if you don’t meet the man (or woman) of your dreams, the concept of an excuse (yes, I realise that is blunt) to ask someone out is often all the confidence one needs to get out there.

I’ve certainly learnt a lot about dating as well. Some people will openly admit to opting for a drinks date with their prospective partner, citing an easy out option before dinner if things are not going well. For some, lunch or coffee doesn’t count as a date – for others, an evening meal is the only option.
This week’s date was an example of the latter. Dinner was planned following a chance meeting while out with a girlfriend a few weeks back. The Five in Five thing was a topic of discussion and low and behold, I had set up date number 4.

Another thing I have learnt these past weeks is that the more you do something, the less intimidating and nerve racking that thing is. On that note, I would highly recommend continuing dating after Five in Five is through – otherwise we will all find ourselves back at square one, rarely dating and forever finding oneself on the couch alone on a Saturday night.

But back to the fun at hand and date number four. Let’s call him Superman (I think that’s the only name I have left from my original list – will have to think of something else for date five). A top Melbourne restaurant was suggested and I was looking forward to a night out.

A quick chat with Lola and I was assured we wouldn’t get in at said Melbourne eatery without a booking. Suddenly, and based on the previous dates, my old assumptions about dating were back. Were the expectations of women in 2011 too high? Am I living in a romantic comedy dreamland?

I arrived at the eatery at the designated time to find Superman waiting outside. Greetings exchanged and Superman advised he had in fact made a booking, however due to the restaurant sitting times we had an hour to kill so the bar next door seemed the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink.

Sport, politics and conversation about writing flowed easily and the pre-dinner drink hour quickly passed. We returned to the restaurant and enjoyed the amazing food and drink they are famous for, before the hour grew late for a school night and it was time to head home.

A fabulous night out – great food, great company and a little of my faith in dating and boys restored. Superman really is out there to save the world, one girl at a time.

And so week five is upon us and the final date is yet to be planned. Stay tuned – one week to go.

To support Sarah, and raise funds for Concern Australia, visit her fundraising page here.

Missed the first few columns? Read them here, here, here and here.

Image credit: Kathryn Sprigg