Completely covered in mud and slightly sore from the fall down the hill, Thommas had barely enough time to escape to safer ground when Sarah Ann roared down the slick incline to a giggling stop mere feet from Thommas. Sarah Ann could only stop laughing for moments as she glanced up to see Thommas equally covered in mud and trying to hide the fact that he was rubbing a sore behind. Sarah Ann's control over her laughter had been fragile at best. Now she burst out at the sight. Thommas looked up and caught her glance and burst into laughter himself. This had been one of the most spontaneous dates he'd ever been on. While the traditional "dinner and a movie" date was fine some of the time, these two enjoyed getting out and trying something new and exciting. That was how a wet, muddy, rain-soaked hill they walked by cried out to be slid down. It was certainly a date neither one would forget anytime soon. Have you had any of these types of dates—dates that will stick in your mind for years to come? Sometimes a less than ideal circumstance turns out to be an unforeseen blast and adventure. Let me explain one such experience. Several months ago at the Feast of Tabernacles, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go out to dinner with a fantastic and beautiful girl. I remember getting so very excited to be able to get to know this girl a little better since I had just met her a few days earlier. Driving in the car As we got in the car, I was confident that I would show her a fantastic time and that we would both thoroughly enjoy ourselves. Then, seemingly by surprise, a question caught me off guard. "Where are we going to eat?" she innocently asked. I suddenly realized that I had no clue. To avoid looking ill prepared, I casually answered that it would be a surprise. A surprise for both of us, I thought. As we drove around I unwittingly made matters worse by getting lost and it became increasingly hard to focus with both stomachs growling like ferocious tigers. But, surprisingly, it wasn't our intense hunger that was the most noteworthy, it was the fact that we were both talking and actually enjoying ourselves... in spite of our predicament. More than an hour after we started the journey to our "surprise" dinner, we made it to our destination. It just happened to be the restaurant near where we started. It didn't matter, though, because we were both having a good time talking and exchanging stories about our past. I didn't know it at the time, but she grew to become my best friend. And I was worried she wouldn't like me because of my bad sense of directions! Dinner date Even many months later, we can't help but laugh as we relive our first date, and I personally can't help but think of the lessons I learned because of it. First and foremost, you can make the most out of any circumstance. Even those dates that you think are turning into a disaster can still turn around to be fantastic. Next, always remember why you are actually going out on a date in the first place. It's not so you can see how much fun you can have by yourself. It's to share and experience things with someone you enjoy spending time with. The more you give on a date, the more you'll find that you will receive. Finally, remember to have fun in a stress-free, pressure-free atmosphere. Just be yourself, and things will be fine. YU Since that eventful date I've learned to plan my excursions a little better, but the results usually turn out the same. I guess that's why people go on dates in the first place—to have fun and enjoy the company of friends. So don't be hesitant to meet new people and experience new things. Just don't forget to bring a map!