McDonald’s Grunge

Our first date was at a McDonald’s in the middle of nowhere – 20 minutes from anything.

Dating culture is bizarre because you can be dating someone, but never actually go on a physical date. I hadn’t had many dates, but a series of mostly hang outs or hook ups. I always imagined going on dates at upscale restaurants and it being romantic as hell. 

In this case, we worked together so we had to be careful. When we would hang out, it was always with coworkers so I was never obvious, but more strategic with how I would flirt with him. I’d make eye contact with him for a few seconds, flash a smile, and turn away. I felt like what I was doing was actually working – he was going to fall in love with me and ask me out because I’m a hopeless romantic. 

I’ll never forget the time he texted me and asked if we wanted to skip the work dinner and drive to the countryside 20 minutes away to go to McDonald’s. We’d never done anything like this, outside of work and our friends. 

This was EVERYTHING. I was going to have alone time with him, but it was at a McDonald’s so what was I going to wear? What was the perfect mix of McDonald’s grunge and sexy as hell? I ended up wearing leggings and a raincoat, minimal makeup.

We sat in a sticky booth at McDonalds for two hours on that rainy night. He held my hand over the table, through the trays of fries, McNuggets, Big Macs, and strawberry shakes. That was the most meaningful date up until that point in my life.