24 Dates in 2024

24 Dates in 2024 – Date #16

Who said dates had to be long, elaborate, and expensive? Certainly not us! A heap of life has been happening during this dating adventure. We set a goal to have 24 dates in 2024, and trying to plan and execute these last few dates has been quite a challenge!

It certainly has nothing to do with a lack of options, but dang can we get an extension on time! Truthfully, I’m not sure if we’ll make it! #couplegoal as best we can.

The weather has not been cooperative with our dating schedule. Three times, we planned beach trips only to have it rain. Regretfully, we have only reached the shore once this year, and my soul has shriveled up a bit at that realization.

So, what do you do when life, work, illness, and weather are raining on our dating parade? Pivot! Pivot is how Ken and I do and . . .

Keep it chill!

Our 16th date, a bike ride around the Cooper River, was a perfect example of chill. We caught the sliver of sun that decided to shine, and it felt like a world away from the grind. We only went around once, which is approximately 4 miles, and headed back home, but it was the break from the daily slog that attempts to suck you in and spit you out that made it worthwhile. Stepping off the wheel of everyday responsibilities hand and hand for a brief period to enjoy each others company was a realization that our dating journey didn’t need dollars, distance nor fantastical design . This date was “very demure” and had to be the shortest yet seriously soul-satisfying date we’ve had.

Experiencing the warmth and brilliance of the sun while slothly peddling, we discussed whether this was a “date” and if it counted. I think we might have temporarily lost sight of our “why” and twisted our 2024 adventure.

Does it Count?

I hesitated before claiming, “Yeah -this is a date! Why would we not count it?” It was an odd but fresh conversation around Cooper River to qualify a date and when does it count. We have never discussed our expectations for dating, and we have been together for over 20 years. It could be because I am so laid back! A trip to BJ’s could count for all I cared because we were together, and as long as errands were NOT our only dating repertoire. (visit @sammy1will IG for our BJ’s cart cruise-making ordinary fun).

Reader’s note: We still haven’t defined our dating criteria. It’s kind of cool like that. We are still discovering it all together; adding and subtracting as we go.

Regardless, I wanted to embrace this mini-date like the first date we numbered and “counted” for 2024 because it was precious; we were together, and in the long run, isn’t that the good stuff of life? Your time, your presence – mean something and make a relationship sweeter.