Thinking outside the box

We are experiencing a time that many of us have not seen in our lifetime. Uncertainty of what is going to happen from not only day to day but sometimes hour to hour. Dating has become challenging and meeting people has become even more of a challenge with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, gyms, etc closing for the time being. 

In a time that you are already feeling isolated the last thing that you want to do is give up on the idea of meeting someone and getting to know them. Nebraska Expert Matchmakers has some ideas to help you keep your social life vibrant even with some of your favorite date spots closed. These days we are fortunate to have several options to get to know someone that doesn’t require you to leave your house. There is Skype, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, Zoom video, and WhatsApp. I’m going to give you a few ideas to do to be creative, have fun and create a story to tell when you tell your friends and family about how you became a couple.

1. Just like if you were going on a traditional date, set up a time that you are both absolutely free from any kind of distraction. For a first date, make it simple, maybe video chat with a cup of coffee and discuss your day. Keep it light and try to stay away from negative topics. 
2. Play a question/answer game together. Make these questions fun and not to interrogate them but to get to know them in a fun fashion. Questions about their favorite book or shows. What is their claim to fame or what are they most proud of? Are they a morning person or a night owl? Favorite food and drink? What’s on their bucket list? What song do they have completely memorized and then ask them to sing it? Switch, back and forth and remember, make it fun.
3. Plan to make a meal together. This is a great way to interact and talk while you are making a delicious dessert or a mouth-watering curry. Don’t forget to get all of the ingredients ahead of time and pick up a nice bottle of wine to sip on a glass as you are cooking and laughing about your mishaps in the kitchen. 
4. Plan to have dinner together. Similar to the last idea, but this time making the effort to make it less playful and more romantic. Dim the lights and light a candle, and play some soft music in the background.
5. Be creative! It doesn’t matter if you’re artistic or not. as you are both on the screen, draw a picture of the other one and then compare them. Expect a lot of laughter while doing this. 
6. Make some popcorn and watch a movie together. This is one of my favorite things to do whether in person or having a virtual movie date.
7. Play an online game whether it’s a game system or computer games. Get a little competitive. 
8. Stargaze at the same time. Nothing is more romantic than gazing at the stars or looking up at a full moon. 
9. Plan what your date will be when you are able to see each other in person.

The best advice I can give you is to have fun, be engaged throughout the video chat, show interest in what the other person is saying, and try not to have awkward silence, smile and don’t be afraid to be a little flirty!