Dear Emma,

I recently started dating this girl who I really like. I want to take her on some fun dates, but I’m worried about COVID-19 and being safe while we’re out. Normally, I would do something like bowling with a group of friends or taking a drive to a fun picnic spot, but I’m not sure how comfortable either of us is with those things. 

Do you have any ideas? I really want to impress her and get to know her better while having fun.

Please help,

Lover Boy

Dear Lover Boy,

It’s very difficult to start a relationship in general, let alone during a pandemic, so I totally understand why you’re struggling. 

It sounds like you know this already, but I recommend looking into what activities are most risky when it comes to COVID-19. For example, traveling long distances in a car with someone is not very safe, so you may want to avoid that drive to a picnic.

However, there are still plenty of things you can do that are relatively safe. Walking or hiking are both good options because you are out in the fresh air. 

You could switch your picnic drive to a picnic hike and enjoy a nice view at the top! Assuming you are in Pullman, Kamiak Butte is one of the closest hikes to campus, and it has a beautiful spot for a pause at the top.

Consider going to the Moscow Farmers Market for flowers, fruit and other food. It’s a fun place to walk around, and you never know what interesting thing you might find. Plus, there are a lot of precautions in place for COVID-19.

Because it’s finally fall, you could go to a pumpkin patch or corn maze. This is a personal favorite of mine because you can take cute pictures, and there are usually a lot of different activities you can do in one place. Just be sure you wear a mask and follow all other posted guidelines!

It seems like you prefer more active dates, but you could always set up an outdoor movie night. Make popcorn, set up a projector and lounge on a blanket while you watch. You can also make themes and dress up or prepare food to match the theme. This will only be an option for a few more weeks because it’s getting colder at night. 

There are plenty of other things you can do, but I recommend taking advantage of being outside while the weather is still nice!

I hope this helps! Enjoy the time.

Take care,

Emma

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