To celebrate the launch of Dandelion Date in a Box I ran a competition for one lucky couple to win a Coffee Lovers Date. To enter they had to comment telling us about the worst date they have ever been on. This might seem like an odd question for someone that wants to bring great dates to couples. But of course, there is a good reason behind it.

We have all had bad experiences with dates and relationships in general, but how do you respond to those experiences? Do they haunt you for life or are they simply seen as learning curves? Obviously, it’s not a “fun” or “enjoyable” period in anybody’s life, but I’ve come to realize that sometimes-bad experiences can have amazing outcomes.

That brings me to my next point, considering everyone that has entered has been such great sports about it all, I’m going to share the worst date I’ve been on. It’s nothing too drastic or too mind-blowing, however, I did end up getting married to that wacky guy. Hopefully, he doesn’t file for divorce after reading this post. 😛

Me and my now husbands first official date surely ranks on the worst date scale. At that time, he just recently moved from another city and we have “hanged” with a group of people. Then he invited me to dinner, just the two of us. I thought yeah, I mean he has the dreamiest eyes, cliché I know, but they’re like swimming pools. Sigh! Anyhow, we went to a local restaurant and like first dates go, we went back and forth on some pretty regular questions.

What’s your favourite colour?
What do you do for a living?
Why did you end up moving here?
And so on…

I can’t remember exactly what my next question was, but it sends him rambling on about all his ex-girlfriends, I mean like he didn’t stop for a second. He just talked and talked about all these girls, which are gorgeous btw. And there I was, regular old Jane, wondering why I agreed to this date in the first place. Thinking that this guy is a whack job and should probably not ever take girls on dates. At that moment I would have preferred the awkward silence that goes with first dates.

I looked at him and spoke these words: “Could you please stop telling me about all your ex-girlfriends! You realize this is our first date and you are kind of being a downer.”

Utter shock across his face as he realized what I was saying.

Fast forward 5 years and here we are, happily married. And you know when I think about that first date, I can’t help but burst into laughter. Heck, it’s funny thinking back on it now. That first date revealed so much more of the man that I have come to love more than words could say. It revealed a soul that couldn’t help but utter the truth and shortly after our date, I realized how purely honest he is.

Honesty! It’s a vital point on my “What I want/ed in my spouse” list. I would take awkwardness and honesty above a cheating charmer any day.

So, we had a crappy date, on the other hand, we’ve had some of the most amazing dates, right out of a movie. Would I go back and agree to the first date if I knew what I know now? Absolutely, because that’s life and that’s love.

It’s not all about the good, it’s when things are bad, that we really get tested and pushed beyond boundaries. In those moments, we learn to love not only perfection but flaws. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In short, I chose the question of your worst date, because in the end those worst moments help form us into who we are. Sometimes they even turn out to be pretty spectacular.

If you’ve had a terrible date and it still hurts, don’t give up because life is going to turn out to be more than you could ever expect. It might not be with the same person and in some instances, that’s more than a good thing! But see all the bad dates you’ve had as learning curves for better things to come.

Side Note:  For all of you who have shared your experiences, thank you!
I hope the future has only good dates in store for you.

That’s all for now.