What’s love if you can’t laugh about it?

Last week, Hillsborough Patch asked for residents’ funny, unfortunate, or just plain unbelievable dating stories. While we haven’t heard from any residents yet, our friend Geoff offered to share his first date story: 

I met Mike online when I was a senior in college and he was a townie living about a mile away. We met through Yahoo Personals, of all places, and we didn't do any of the usual online chitchat that always felt so pointless. Instead, we talked on the phone and set up a date at a coffee shop.

Now, I've never been good with directions, and this was particularly true before I started driving. So, when we met, I was unable to get much of anywhere, and it was also before a phone could act as a GPS. Unfortunately, that meant he was stuck with my directions, which turned out to be not only vague but utterly wrong.

We ended up meeting at an independent book shop, and my first thought upon seeing him in person was more or less, "Jackpot!" We walked over to the coffee shop at about 5:05, which I remember because there were two signs in the window--one saying it opened at 5 and another saying it was closed. That was when he said the five words that made me know we were meant to be: "You want to get milkshakes?"

Later, full of dairy, and after several awkward introductions upon bumping into people we knew ("This is... a guy I met online...") we wandered around campus as I showed him the trail I liked to hike. I'm not sure if it was the nerves of meeting someone I liked so much or just me crashing after all the sugar, but I ended up tripping into the tiny brook I was usually able to jump over quite easily. That led to the awkward question, "Do you mind if we stop by my place?". But we really did just swing by for a second—I needed new shoes—and then I walked him back to his car.

For you, reader, this probably sounds like a pretty disastrous first date, but I saw him the next day, and the next, and nearly six years later we live together. We still love that coffee shop (when it's open), the cafe where we got milkshakes (even if the service is incredibly slow), and we still laugh at my pathetic attempt at a jump!

Have a dating story you’d like to share? Email Eileen.Oldfield@patch.com.

Here’s what you need to know today:

1. You Need to Know Learning Adventures: The Hillsborough Public Library hosts a program for kids ages four to six that focuses on things that go. You’ll need to register for the program by calling the Children’s Desk at 908-369-2200, extension 14.
2. You Need to Know About Basketball: The Hillsborough Boys Basketball team takes Bridgewater Raritan tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Bridgewater Raritan High School. Don’t feel like traveling? You can see the Girls Basketball team take on Bridgewater Raritan at 7 p.m. at Hillsborough High School.
3. You Need to Know About Singing Babies: The Hillsborough Public Library offers a music program for children ages newborn to 24 months and their parents at 10 a.m. on Friday. You’ll need a library barcode to register—which can be done by calling 908-369-2200—and, to ensure a safe environment for the youngest, older siblings will not be allowed to attend.
4. You Need to Know About Tracks: Duke Farms hosts a course on the basics of animal tracking at 9 a.m. Saturday. It’s $15 to attend and you’ll need to call 908-722-3700 to register.
5. You Need to Know About Story Times: Looking for a Saturday activity for your two to six year-olds? The Hillsborough Public Library host a special story time at 10 a.m. Saturday that focuses on shapes and sizes. You’ll need to register for it by calling the Children’s Desk at 908-369-2200, extension 14.