Thursday, January 13, 2011

{ DATE #1: Sarah McDermott }



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Maybe it’s an odd place to start, but a lot of thanks are definitely in order for making it to the first date of The Mormon Bachelor. Thanks to Erin who has put in more hours coordinating than a full time job. I give thanks to her team, to the camera people, and to the girls who willingly participate. Thank you to random people like my dental assistants who have had to cut back hours at work. They all do this with little if anything to gain. What for then? I don’t fully understand. My guess is the enjoyment of sharing my crazy and fun love story. Which reminds me - thank you to everyone for following this journey as well.

All the months of preparation and anticipation led up to this moment. With the knock of the door it started. ”Who would answer? Would I know her? If I’ve met her, will I remember her name? Are we going to be a match? What am I doing???” Then the door swung open and we looked at each other. Silence. I didn’t think I recognized her. “Hi, I’m Sarah McDermott.” Nope! Never met her and I can’t believe I have missed out on this beautiful girl all this time in Southern California!

Perhaps the reason for all the gratitude I have been feeling tonight is because the first thing that we talked about was our new appreciation for the opposite gender. You see, there are some definite role reversals in The Mormon Bachelor process. Mainly, the girls, instead of the guys, are planning the dates. Even though I knew to dress nice casual, I was blind as to how nice or how casual. Then I knew I would be eating at some point, but would it be earlier or later? Should I snack on something beforehand? Not so easy! Then Sarah, keeping in mind my financial responsibility, tried to keep the date around $50. She discovered it doesn’t take long before most dates quickly surpass that mark.

Sarah and I had a lot to talk about on our way to the Griffiths Observatory. This girl has done everything! Literally. She’s traveled, served a mission, studied, worked, taught, etc. I could go on and on. In fact, one of my favorite things in a relationship is when I feel like there is too much to talk about. When it feels like you can’t really finish one conversation until you are onto the next. My favorite part of the conversation was our mutual love for Ireland. The only difference is she has actually been there. “One day Rick!”

Conversation - check! Cute - check! But could she have fun? Check! In fact, I don’t think we actually grasped the concept of the observatory. We turned that learning facility into our personal playground, as we held hands and took in the view. I don’t think we actually learned a thing, not even during the educational/psychedelic movie we saw. Afterward we replenished ourselves over a delicious yet meager dinner. However, what the dinner lacked we made up for with conversation until we hugged goodbye on her doorstep. Is date #2 in the future? I would certainly be a lucky guy. Stay tuned!

13 comments:

Cami said...

I'm so curious why he picked her up one place and dropped her off at another.

Aubrey Messick said...

Way to go McD!!! Hope the date was as fun as it looked! xoxo

Christa Jeanne said...

Yay, Rick! Man, I love, love, love Griffith Observatory. Looks like you two had a ton of fun!

Kim Messick said...

This is going to be a great season...I'm liking this girl a lot - and Rick rocks! They both have really nice teeth!!!

Unknown said...

Coolest chick evah!

Ashley Arnold said...

Awesome recap!!

Natasha and Jesse said...

Yay for Rick! Looks like a fun date!

Janna said...

Yeah, I'm with Cami. House by day, apartment by night?

TheSinglesWard said...

Sorry Buckman... dunanunanunanunanuna... BUCKMAN... Readin it like a book my man!

Geoff said...

MUUUUUUUUCH better editing this time around. We get dialogue! Huzzah!

Janeal said...

Wow. He has to pay for every date? Even if all the girls keep it to $50, that's still $1500 to spend in one month. What a guy!

Mary P said...

Totally I think I know your cousins in Rancho!

Also, did anyone catch the mistletoe over the door at the pick-up house?

Scott and Jamie said...

Hope it works out for you Sarah!