Dating Life

Asking young women out for a date was a very difficult proposition from high school, throughout college, and during my single, young professional days. I absolutely hated rejection, and still do.

After graduating from Harding University, I moved to Austin and started working for a school fundraising company. Austin is home to the University of Texas, which my impression at the time was that it was a "babe factory." I visited a university church and occasionally went by their campus student center to meet people.

There was one girl that I was interested in asking out, except I didn't have her phone number. I had a great idea. Dan Folgeberg was in town, so I went and purchased two tickets. Folgeberg was extremely popular at the time.

My plan was in place. Walking into the student center, I saw the girl that I wanted to ask out. There were several students sitting around, engaged in conversation. Easing over to where she was, we started talking, trying to build up my courage to ask her out. Instead of asking her out with a direct question, I said, "Do you know anyone who would like to go to the Dan Folgeberg concert." The words were barely out of my mouth when in the corner of the room, this Kramer looking dude, who I didn't know was listening said, "Hey, I do!" This was not the response I was looking for. Here was a guy that no one wanted to hang out with. If I turn him down, I thought I might look insensitive and inconsiderate. Frustrated, I smiled at the girl and handed him a ticket. "It should be a great concert," I said, and walked out.

The concert was great. My new friend enjoyed it very much, but it could have been so much better. A few years later, I went to a Neal Diamond concert with Phyllis. Thanks Neal for a great night!