Can You Canoe?

With the 6-year anniversary of my first date with hubby this weekend, I've been thinking of our early dating days. Movies, dinners out, walks... Wondering when he'd kiss me, or if I'd have to make the first move...

After being late for our first date (lunch and a corn field maze), I thought I'd make up for it by dazzling him with my canoeing ability. Yes, he invited me to go out in his canoe with him for one of our early dates.

I had just taken a class on canoeing that summer, so when he suggested a leaf-peeping canoe trip, I thought it sounded excellent.  Besides, how hard is canoeing, right?

I arrived at his house in the morning, with lots of fixings for a picnic lunch. He already had the canoe loaded on top of his truck. We were ready to go.

We traveled south to a small, peaceful lake nearby. Not a perfect day for a canoe - chilly and windy, but still we headed out. To start, I was in front. I paddled gracefully, oohing and ahhhing at the scenery. He took up the rear, paddling and doing the real work of steering the canoe. He took his camera out, and I was a bit concerned that he was going to take pictures of me -- we had only had a few dates, and I thought it would be odd for him to use his film on me just yet. He didn't; he snapped pics of the scenery instead - the choppy water and changing leaves. Phew.

I bet he didn't know what a treat he was in for when it was my turn to steer the canoe. We didn't travel far when I was in the driver's seat. Actually, I don't think we traveled at all, unless you consider going in circles traveling.  I spun us round and round to the left, and then for my next trick I spun us round and round to the right. Oh, I was impressive!  Late for the first date, and then I looked like a total goof-ball in the canoe. We laughed a lot. He tried to coach me, but I was pretty hopeless. I understood why he brought the camera; he wanted to be able to show people the complete boob he took on a canoeing date. But even through my shenanigans, he didn't take my picture. Little did he know that the goofy chick spinning his canoe in circles was his future wife!

Somehow, we miraculously got back to shore, and it was time for our picnic.  We unloaded our baskets, bags, and coolers. We hadn't coordinated who would bring what for our picnic, and we both brought a lot of everything. Cheeses, crackers, chips, salsa, fruit, ...  We set up a spread that could have easily fed 27 people. He brought wine glasses and cloth napkins -- and yes, I was impressed. He opened a bottle of refreshing and tasty sparkling cider. Little did I know then, that someday we'd give out bottles of that same fizzy stuff as wedding favors.

Happy 6 years, honey bun! I'm so lucky to be paddling on this great adventure of life with you!

Comments

[Sarcasmom]

We celebrate the anniversary of our first date as well. It was in 1970. We actually enjoy that a little more than our wedding anniversary because we were never apart since that day. I like your first date story. Here (today anyway) from Michele.

[Shannon]

Hub and I had our 1st date on the 4th of july....we always have a celebration. Here via michele by the way, I loved reading about you and your hub...

[Thaleia]

What a wonderful story... memories are something that nobody can take away from you and they should be treasured... Happy anniversary!

[shish]

Aww.. this is a great story, Marie. Hubby is sure lucky to have you, canoe-paddling problems or not!

[Arethusa]

I love date stories--especially when either one or both persons on the date act goofy. Funnier that way. Happy Date Anniversary!

[elle]

Aw, very sweet. If you lived here, you could canoe down the street! Oi vay! We went canoeing once. I think we just drank alot of cherry wheat beer and smoked cigars. We rowed once in a while. I think.

[vw bug]

Happy First Dat-iversary. If my hubby didn't remember the date, I would have never known when it was. ;-)

[caltechgirl]

The 11th anniversary of our first date/kiss is 11 days from now. Ahhhh.... Was I really that young????

[nat]

I love to read these kinds of posts! Happy Date-A-versary!!!!

[Tammy]

What a great post!

[Suzanne]

How cute! It sounds like a great date, paddling mishaps notwithstanding.

[Melody]

Happy anniversary to you and your husband... (Well done!)

[The other Elle]

I'm a college graduate, I have a nice, successful career, but I cannot, under ANY circumstances, keep a canoe gliding straight down a river. Can't do it. It's beyond my capabilities.

I have a great time trying, though!

[debby]

There's always that enormous possibility that a date would go wrong. Bad dates can only be spotted when you're actually on one. This canoeing experience might have been one of those dates you'd rather not remember, but thank god you found the whole experience fun. It also depends on the people involved if a bad date's really going to turn out into a bad one.

[Wedding Favors]

So sweet! It's a great story really!