Remember how awkward that first date was? Will he call me again? Will she go out with me again? It's almost the same for couples. As a couple, finding couple friends can be a challenge. Sometimes the women are friends to begin with but the men don't like each other. Or the other way around, the men were all long-time friends but the women all hated each other. Or maybe the woman is a real sweetheart but her husband/partner is a jerk or the man is a great guy but his wife/partner is overbearing. So when all four of you like each other, it's great. And you find that out when you go on a "date".
You meet at a community event, a neighborhood gathering, a friend's party or the local watering hole. Maybe you go to their house or have them over to your house for drinks or a meal. Maybe you go out somewhere. But in that time, you want to learn a little more about each other to decide whether you want to spend more time together.
You're going to find out some basic information - how many kids/grandkids they have, where they're from, what types of food they like or dislike. Whether they have dogs, cats or both. You'll find out something about their work experience and their education. You'll probably find out something about their politics, even if you don't ask. But by the end of the evening you're going to have an idea of whether you want to spend more time with them. What you don't know is how they felt about it.
You know your own feelings. You thought the "date" went well. You had a great evening. You had so much to talk about. They seemed to enjoy the food, you got through several bottles of wine and you're looking forward to seeing them again and spending more time with them. But then they don't call you. They don't have you over. They don't even ask you to meet up for drinks at the bar. Nothing. A month or more goes by and they are silent and you're left wondering what happened. Are we too old? Too young? Wrong religion? Wrong politics? Are we more boring than we thought? No answers to those questions, but one thing is clear - you won't be going steady with that couple.
After living in Solivita for nearly four years, we're going steady with several couples. Of course, it's not that "exclusive" thing we did in high school. No one is joined at the hip. We are not together every day and maybe not every week. Everyone spends time with other people. But we do get together on a regular basis. Not necessarily the same night of the week, like when we were younger and still working those 9 to 5 jobs. But we see these couples on a regular basis, at least once a month. We have dinner at each other's houses, we go out for dinner or to a concert, and we are always included if they have a party. Life is good and we're still open to "first dates".
