First Time in the Country- You watched from the window in the kitchen as you gently stirred the pot roast that flavored the entire cabin. The wind storm from the night before our arrival had downed a tree by the driveway and I was determined to make some firewood out of it. Knowing that you were watching, I couldn’t help but smile as I started to slam the axe down into the fallen tree. I made a little bit of progress in making the heat for our fire tonight, but we both knew that I was hardly the rugged, masculine man who felt comfortable doing such a task. When we exchanged glances through the window, neither of us could stop from laughing.

Most women would love to watch their man use his natural strength to take care of the physical tasks around their rental cabin, but it was humorously obvious to both of us that I was just as uncomfortable as you with actual manual labor and our rural surroundings. That willingness to embrace my city boy, nerdy reality was part of the reason you fell in love with me. Glancing back at you as I returned to chopping the wood, the biggest smile fell across my face. For as hard as you fell for me, I believe I fell twice as hard for you. As the sun set over the hilly landscape and thick forested land that surrounded the cozy cabin, I felt the magic in the air. The distractions of our hustled lives in the city were gone for this weekend. Tonight, it was only us and this little cabin that we had rented from Airbnb. By the time I dragged the firewood through the creaking screen door and into the cabin, you had nearly finished our dinner. The candle you had lit for the small kitchen table gave light to the room as night fell outside. I was ready for tonight.

Third Date in the City- Your friends were stunned that we hadn’t done anything yet. The way you talked about me made them surprised that we had never been intimate. Our first two dates had been wonderful walks through the city. My knowledge and passion for the history that hid in plain sight amongst the avenues and boulevards of our city dazzled you just as your warmth, beauty, and eagerness to join me in my explorations dazzled me. Beyond our interlocking hands through cute urban parks, we had not been physical with each other. I didn’t want to make you feel pressured, after all. I wanted our relationship to be built on breezy afternoon jaunts that made the city and the chemistry between us feel electric.

But tonight, things could go different. It was a Friday night and I had secured us a table at an Italian restaurant near my place. Far from the trendy microbreweries and Instagramable cafes, this cavernous restaurant was a romantic staple in the neighborhood for generations. As I waited in the far booth where numerous couples had surely sat before us, I couldn’t help but wonder if tonight would be the next step for us. After the quiet conversation, desert, and the red wine, will you be taking the short walk to my apartment for the rest of the evening?