Hi Seddit,

I went on my first date in years tonight, with a European woman I met in a group we're both involved with. We went to dinner, and had planned to go to a movie, but got so involved in conversation that we missed it... twice. I was a bit disappointed in myself that we'd missed out on the 'movie' part of 'dinner and a movie', but overall, I think it's a sign we were really engaged in conversation- much more positive than negative.

Just before the date, I read something on here about how dinner was a bad idea for a first date, and how you should always sit beside your date, not across, so that you've got more of a chance for kino, etc. That didn't happen, but we talked more than I've talked with anyone for a long while, and found a lot in common.

After realizing we'd missed the beginning of our movie by 10 minutes, we planned to go to a later screening of a different movie, and go for a drink in the meantime, at a bar recommended by the theater. Again, I sat across from her at a back table (no room at the bar, also I'm in a wheelchair, and bars don't really work so great for me). We grab a couple beers, and our conversation continues, this time a little flatter than before (the bar is definitely less romantic than the restaurant, but still quirky and cool- she says it reminds her of home), but still very happy and positive.

At one point, she starts taking pictures of me with her phone, then suggests we should take one together. The table's in the way, so I take the opportunity to slide in next to her. I tried a hand around her shoulder, but it came off a bit awkward and hover-handy, so it didn't last long after the pictures were done. As we continued our conversation, I let the back of my hand graze her leg, to keep up some kino. I wanted to have some more purposeful touch, but the opportunity didn't seem to come up, and I was shy and didn't know how to make it happen

At this point, we realized we'd missed the second showing by about 10 minutes, so we chatted for a bit longer, and listened to the singers at the piano we'd been told the bar had. She has to be up early tomorrow, so we called it a night, and plan to go out again in the next couple weeks (we're both busy next weekend, but might make it during the week). We shared a pair of cheek kisses- European style- which doesn't really feel like a k-close, but I'll work toward that.

Thank you, Seddit, for reminding me that I've got a lot to be confident about, and encouraging me to live a full, productive life, that people will be attracted to, and that is more rewarding and enjoyable anyway.

I feel like I may be overly positive, having just come from my first date in a long while. I know things didn't go perfectly, and I'm definitely up for suggestions, especially on increasing kino, and building my confidence in that regard- I don't have approach anxiety, and I'm beyond that stage here anyway, but I have a lingering anxiety about kino, and making sexual/flirty conversation. We shared some of that, but I'd like to know how to keep it going. Thanks for reading my Great Wall of Text.