From D to L, here are some of the #MetOnCC date ideas that could work for your next date! What would you add to the list?

D

Dog walk

Bringing a furry friend on a meet up could be the perfect way to break any awkward silences! For Geoff and Sandy it was the start of a lasting relationship: “We met each other on Christian Connection very soon after joining, had a first date a few weeks later walking Sandy’s dog in the New Forest.”

Read Geoff and Sandy’s story here

If you don’t have your own four-legged friend, see if you can borrow one for an afternoon. As well as obliging friends with pets to share, depending on where you live, there may be charities who arrange walks and care for the pets of older people (like this one in the UK, this one in the US and this one in Australia). As well as an enjoyable date, you might make a lasting connection with a lovable pet or two!

Dinner

Meeting for food is understandably a classic date idea! It’s easy to arrange, gives you a set place to be, and a window of time that won’t feel awkward. Whether you make plans ahead of meeting or pop into somewhere that looks inviting as you pass, you can enjoy a relaxed chat – or hide behind your menu for a second when you feel nervous!

“We met at the train station before our first date and, although we were both a little nervous, we could immediately see joy, kindness and love in each other. We walked around the waterfront and town and got some dinner, and got to know each other.” – Anne Marjorie & Matthew

Read Anne Marjorie & Matthew’s story here

E

Escape room

For a date where you get to spend a lot of time one-on-one, you could opt to be locked in a room together. Don’t worry, it’s not for long. The popularity of escape rooms and other immersive experiences stems in part from the opportunity to create fun from the jeopardy knowing there’s no real risk. You get to discuss, debate, plan and problem solve together – with a time limit!

“Our first date was an escape room, it forced us both to interact and talk to each other, it broke the ice for sure and made for a lot of laughs” – Elise and Thomas

Read Elise and Thomas’s story here

F

Football

Amy and Ian met on Christian Connection while living miles apart but having a home town in common. When it finally happened, their first date involved a trip to see their favourite local football team and love developed from there. If you don’t have a team or sport in common, making a date to introduce someone to the sport you love can be a great way to go beyond surface level and show them what they’re missing!

Watch Amy and Ian tell their #MetOnCC love story

G

Gym

The opportunity to show your excellent ability at burpees or mastery of the rowing machine can make for a memorable date. For competitive couples, there’s the chance to beat your partner at a test of physical strength – or laugh as you both fall at the first hurdle. Whether it’s a light hearted activity or one for serious trainers, a date at the gym will definitely get past the small talk.

“He drove all the way to Sydney overnight to surprise me. He rocked up at my gym, standing on the next treadmill, when I had no idea until he reached over to my treadmill to the speed adjustment and sped it up 😀” – Darryl & Sue

Read Darryl & Sue’s story here

H

Hot air balloon

Perhaps not one to try if you’re scared of heights, but if you feel like a date that has you walking on air, a hot air balloon ride could be just the thing.

After meeting on Christian Connection and having their first date at a zoo (file that under ‘dates beginning with Z!), Jordan and Josh’s relationship developed: “During the next year we went on many adventures together and found a church to call home. In November 2021 in a hot air balloon we got engaged and started planning a wedding for July 2022. We were truly blessed with how God and all of our loving family came together to make our special day that much more amazing.”

Read Jordan and Josh’s story here

 I

Indian food

Don’t be shy about sharing your favourite foods on a date. Kevin and Ruth first bonded over a delicious Indian meal – though not with the first impression Kevin might have initially hoped for…

“Our first date was at the local restaurant where a bad decision of curry chicken where the chef might have tipped the whole curry packet onto my plate had me coughing, sneezing, tears and my nose running as if I was coming down with bird flu. I was trying to make a good impression in my smart apparel. Half a kilo of plain yogurt and three litres of water got everything under control. Across from me sat the most patient lady with an amazing sense of humour could look past the nervous curry infected mess I was, we talked for hours and shared testimonies and life events.”

Read Kevin and Ruth’s story here

J

Jazz

Whatever your musical tastes, make sure you add them to your Christian Connection profile. Whether you love rock, folk, hymns or anything else, it’s not only a good conversation starter, it’s an easy option for a fun date. You don’t have to like the same music to start with – what better excuse to invite your date to experience the genre that changed your life, or find out what’s on their playlists?

For ‘CC’ and ‘TC’, jazz provided the perfect date backdrop for a very memorable date! “I popped the question whilst sharing a Jazz Brunch with our friends and was lovingly accepted!”

 

K

Kew Gardens – and all other gardens!

If you’re a fan of the park life or just like to embrace nature, spend some time together in a beautiful location filled with trees, plants and flowers. No matter what the season, there’s something refreshing about surrounding yourself with flora and getting some perspective on creation. Whether you’re an expert horticulturalist or just appreciate the many species that grow in your part of the world, it can be a relaxing date with lots to look at and talk about.

“We met on Christian Connection in 2018 and had our first date at Kew Gardens, bonding over our mutual love of plants.”

Read Jessica and Matthew’s story here

L

Lunch

If you don’t want the pressure of a full evening getting to know someone new, meeting for lunch can strike a great balance. Book in an hour for a sandwich or let the afternoon run away with you if the conversation is flowing!

“We arranged our first date and spent five hours together having lunch and chatting” – David & Ruth

Read David and Ruth’s story here

Whatever you do when you meet in person for a first date – or any date! – check out our archive of date idea blogs. We’ll be adding more #MetOnCC date ideas too. Tried and tested suggestions to make connecting easy and fun.

Read the A-C of #MetOnCC dating ideas here

Inspired to start dating? Find out more about Christian Connection and how to join here

Did you meet on CC and have #MetOnCC date ideas to share? Get in touch!