Ah, young love! Or old love! Or any kind of love that isn’t totally doomed!
While the majority of us are either one half of a young couple shacked up and behaving like old people, or else a single person wading through the pits of despair known to many as “online dating,” there are some folks who manage to go on a lovely, respectful first date without having it turn into a horror story. It’s possible, I swear!
This Twitter thread by a man named Tim proves it! Tim chronicled an adorable exchange between a couple sitting next to him while he was dining out on Sunday evening. He noted that the two shared some sweet body language, which he interpreted as “first date” body language. The romantic scene quickly turned into a really cute SNAFU, wherein the man insisted on paying though the woman could tell the menu was a little too extravagant.
Saw something lovely as I was eating my Sunday dinner earlier
A young couple sat at the table next to me
They looked and sounded like a couple just starting out and it was probably their first meal out together
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
He was insistent that she could have ‘whatever she liked and he was paying’
She blushed as she asked “are you sure”
He replied “of course”
The menus arrived and her smiling face turned very serious
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
As he looked at the menu his faced paled slightly, but I guess that could’ve been the lighting
Him: Are we having a starter
Her: Are you sure, let’s split the bill
Him: Have whatever you wantHe reached out and held her hand
It was lovely
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
Tim could tell that the young man was strapped for cash but still dedicated to treating his date to whatever she wanted, despite her protestations.
She said: We could share a starter
Him: No you have one – I will just have roast beef
Her: me too
Him: Have whatever you wantI was cheering him on and she was trying so hard forvthe meal not to cost too much
The looks they gave each over across the table were amazing
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
The arrived with the wine list. Again, it was clear to Tim that the young man wanted to treat his date, but that the drinks were clearly overpriced (aren’t they always?). His date sensed his hesitation and insisted on splitting the bill. It was clear, though, that he had his heart set on treating her.
The waiter arrived and asked ‘would you like to see the wine list’
He said: Yes please
He looked at the wine list (I think it is overpriced) and I’m sure I heard a gulp as he passed it to his love and said “you choose”
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
So, rather that going balls to the wall with her order, she ordered a water—and changed the subject.
Her: (looking at wine list) let me pay please
Him: Please let me this is my treat – I promised
Her: Well you choose but I’m happy with water or maybe a coke
Him: if you are sure
Her: Certain – this is lovely
Him: So are you(At this point I almost standing up cheering them on)
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
The waiter returns: “have you decided yet”
Him: I’ll have roast beef and a glass of water please
Her: Me too
Him: Please have wine or they do cocktails
Her: I’m fine with water, we can go to a pub after – my treatIf he had squeezed her hand any tighter he would’ve crushed it
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
As both ordered roast beef and water, Tim continued to notice their chemistry.
The two glasses of water arrived and he said: “I’m just going to the loo”
He hadn’t been gone two seconds and out came her phone
I have never seen such excited text messaging – her smile was huge as she sent the text
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
He came back and I’m sure I felt the electricity as he stood beside momentarily before he sat down
The meals arrived and he picked up his glass of water and said ‘cheers’
She smiled (again) and raised her glass
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
But Tim wasn’t the only one that caught on to this sweet first date. Their waiter had also noticed their dynamic, and came through with the clutch move of offering them “complimentary” house champagne.
As they were eating I noticed the waiter chatting to the manager and looking over – at me with no food and an empty glass
The waiter comes across smiles and says another glass of red
Me: yes please
But I wasn’t really concentrating – I was watching a young couple in love
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
And so was the waiter …
He came left and came back with my wine and turned to the couple and said “I’m sorry I forgot to say – the roast beef comes with a complimentary glass of house champagne”
I was close to hugging the waiter
Her: Really that would be lovely
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
Him: (boldly) Two glasses of Champagne please
Waiter: Certainly sir— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
At this point I went to the loo as I had something in my eye
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
I went back to the table as glasses of champagne arrived and she said “This is perfect thank you so much”
He replied: “My bother and his wife come here – that said it was good”
She raised her champagne glass and took a sip – he just stared and looked totally lost in the moment
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
As Tim was leaving, he complimented the waiter on his kindness. In return, the waiter said, “We’ve all been that young man.”
I asked the waiter for the bill
I needed to leave before I said something like “please let your love last forever”
On the way out I said to the waiter “that was a lovely touch”
He replied: “we’ve all been that young man”
Sometimes life is lovely
The end
— Tim #StayAtHomeSaveLives (@forwardnotback) January 20, 2019
People responded to Tim’s thread with a whole lot of heart emojis—literally and emotionally.
This thread…. so much ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/fiyrD6tVRX
— KapMan (@bkapilan) January 23, 2019
That waiter is a hero. Hope karma rewards him generously
— Damon Coulter (@damoncoulter) January 20, 2019
This is adorable and my cynical ass was waiting for a twist but it never came and I'm so glad. 😂
— Megan K. Fox (@megankfoxfilm) January 21, 2019
This was a beautiful story. So glad that people like that waiter, and that manager and you, for telling us this story still exist. And so so glad that men like that young man still believe in courting a woman!!! There’s hope.
— That Girl (@LaFemmeIngenue) January 21, 2019
I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes! This was the loveliest lunch break read! Thank you.
— Mrs Lorenzo to you! (@CakeyRussell) January 21, 2019
Some folks were even inspired to share their own first date tales.
I was on a first date once and we went for lunch and he insisted on paying even though I nagged him to split it. I later found out that lunch cost him the last bit of money he had in his account and he was panicking he’d have to come and ask me to help pay
— Hannah Nicholls (@23hannahh) January 21, 2019
Anyway long story short I’m now marrying him. Your tweets have taken me back to that first date feeling and nerves and I’m now all emotional on my lunch break 😭😭
— Hannah Wheeler (@23hannahh) January 21, 2019
I sat at a table in a restaurant and watched a young couple obviously much in love. One had lovely short fair hair. The other was bald. They looked intently at each other saying very little. He started to cry. She comforted him. He kissed her bald head.
— Donal Corcoran (@DomnallC) January 21, 2019
Worked in food service for 25 years. That server was great, as was the manager. To pick up on those cues and make their night even more special is awesome. That’s what it’s all about. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing
— chris fiedler (@dafiedla) January 22, 2019
Anyway, best of luck to the happy young couple and I’M NOT CRYING. (I’m crying.)