The modern day battlefield of romance has taken the world by a storm; chivalry has been put on hold while hearts are won, lost, and many left somewhere in-between. Dating has revolutionized itself into an unruly world of technology but has still left itself vulnerable to interpretation on a first date.

First dates evoke emotions within us like excitement, hope, nervousness, curiosity, and awkwardness.  But no matter how clumsy a date ends the allure of love calls us back for more.  There remains that underlying and undying optimism that we will find that one person who will make us laugh until our cheeks hurt and complete us: the one we do not want to live without. 

However, some of us get stuck in that revolving first date door; trying to find ourselves in the midst of discovering that special person.  I am one of those gals.  My dating escapades have led me through 399 first dates over the last ten years in Midwest America.  It started innocently enough and then the journey took on a mind of its own as my career in destination wedding photography took off.  Always being the woman people would deem ‘quite a catch’, and being constantly surrounded by love and weddings, I grew more serious and creatively resourceful on how to possibly find my forever companion.  Traveling through the world photographing weddings, I found some amazing men who changed my life and I theirs, while at the same time stumbling upon new extreme sports to enjoy, but no love.

After turning 21 years old and having several mind-numbing dates, I transitioned to only going on first dates that were atypical.  By doing so I was able to put myself and my dates in unfamiliar experiences that would either bond us together or draw us apart.  All dates happening within a serious, interesting, adventurous, or unforgettable environment.  From picnics in strange places, storm chasing, salsa dancing, rounds of 20 questions, to rock climbing or skydiving.  Needless to say, a challenge was never far off for either of us whether the date was willing or not.  The book is full of tantalizing and humorous tales of how a bachelorette handles herself through the dynamics of dating in a peculiar fashion along with providing dating tips and ideas for all budgets.