Picture it: Arizona State University campus, night, 3 hour class just ended and I'm on my way to a sorority event if I can just get my bike free from the bike rack. Guy from my COM 101 class approaches asking me about class notes. Here is the beginning of something innocent...or....
Jake* and I were in the same Public Speaking class and one night we were paired up for our "Introductions" speeches. We talked for about 20-25 mins to get to know each other so that when it was time to introduce each other to the class you'd know enough about each other to make a great speech. I went into recruitment mode and started "rushing" the kid. Asked him about his family, job, interests, achievements, where he went on his Mission, etc. I was on fire, not taking notes because a good recruiter keeps eye contact and makes mental notes until you have private time to write down key points. Time to make our introductions and each team fumbles through. After class, Jake walks me out to my bike and asks me about borrowing my lecture notes. Sure, why not? Trust me, he needed all the help he could get, this class wasn't as easy as it sounds. As we're talking I'm trying to free my bike from the rack in the dark because lets face it, if ASU can save a few pennies by not keeping the campus well lit at night, consider it done. Jake mentions that his sister is going to be in a play the following weekend and he had an extra ticket, would I want to go? Sure, why not?! What could go wrong?
Since I didn't have a car at the time, he came to pick me up the next weekend at 3:30pm. We arrived at the theater which appeared to be connected to a church. Locate our row and Jake is starting to hug everyone in our row and the one behind it. I'm not being dramatic, I'd say 90% of these 2 rows got a hug or hello from him. Then he turns to me and begins introducing me first..."This is my mom", "This is my dad", "These are 3 of my nieces, the 4th one is actually in the play tonight with my sister and her husband", "My aunt and uncle", "This is grandma Betty"....on and on and on. I'm not joking, even grandma Betty was there! "Oh dear, its so nice to meet you. Its so nice to see you two young people out on a date! Its going to be such a great play, did Jake tell you his sister and her husband and daughter are in it as well? Cassy is so darling in her little outfit!"
Most people would be possibly running for the door right about now. I'm on a date with Jake...AND his entire family? Grandma Betty too?! When life hands you a case of "Yes, this is really happening to you right now" all you can do is go with it.
Lights flickered and the show began. It was a rendition of the Music Man, quite nicely done and I have to agree with Grandma Betty, Cassy was pretty cute in her outfit. By the time intermission rolled around I had almost forgotten we weren't alone, not that I was going to start a makeout session in row 16 but I did find myself in a conversation with Jake's mom for the short break period. Pleasant woman, very sweet, a little anxious and apologized that they had crashed our date. What does a gracious young lady reply "Nonsense! This is such a great play! Your daughter is quite the actress!" and I wasn't lying either :)
Afterwards, handshaking and congratulations out front of the theater for all family members and their happy actors. Turns out the theater was linked to Jake's church and as we milled around out front, Jake asked me if I'd like some ice cream? Me? Um, YES PLEASE! I perked up at this but then that's where it got a little dicey unfortunately...when you say "ice cream" in the presence of little ones they tend to hone in on it like a lion to its prey. Sadly, tears and a minor meltdown ensued after Jake's aunt had to insist on dinner first and that "Those kids need to spend some time alone." Awkward!
Cold Stone became my own savior that night and we enjoyed a holler for a dollar and 1 scoop each before Jake took me back to Tempe, we were in Gilbert, did I mention that? Looking back at the evening once I got home, I reevaluated what had happened. Somehow, and this is just a guess here, I'm thinking that my interest in my assignment for class may have been misinterpreted as interest in Jake beyond scholarly means. I had to ask him questions about who he was, about this Mission and things that interested him, my grade depended on it. Otherwise, I can't imagine why he hadn't mentioned, to me at least, that our first and last date was going to include the entire family until we walked into the theater. It does appear, he had mentioned it to his family because they knew all about me!
Lesson learned, make sure that if its your first date, don't go on it with his family in tow!
*Alias to protect the innocent.
"Monson" is strangely close to "Mormon" ;)
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