How many of you remember your first date? Sweaty palms, a quivering voice, a breath mint (or two) in your pocket in case you have the opportunity to kiss? Maybe your parents had to pick you up because you did not have your driver’s license yet.
I remember what I consider to be my first date very clearly. We weren’t dating yet, but he picked me up, my dog tried to bite him, we went to Carlos O’Kelly’s (where I spent way too much time in the bathroom) and he brought me home. It was pretty simple. That’s probably because I’m a neurotypical.
My brother, on the other hand, is not.
Luke has not had his first date yet. It’s hard for him to find a girl who accepts him just the way he is. Now that he’s a junior in high school, girls are all that he ever talks about.
One thing that Luke struggles with due to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is reading social situations. Luke has absolutely no verbal filter and will typically ask whatever he wants as soon as it comes to mind. I remember when he told me the day of my high school graduation that my dress made me look fat (I still wore it).
However, the lack of a filter also makes Luke’s compliments mean that much more. When I was getting ready for my junior prom, Luke accidentally barged into my room while I was getting ready, and he called me beautiful.That was the best compliment I ever received from my brother.
Luke also has trouble creating the right phrases to describe girls. For example, when describing how he wants to date a girl, he’ll say something like “if I get with her.” It was a *fun* conversation when I told him that “getting with” someone means having sex with them.
Despite his social challenges, Luke has conversations with anyone, but his atypical social skills are hard to overcome for certain people. So, regardless of how bad your first date may have been, be grateful that you’ve had one. Let me know your bad date stories below in the comments and if you have any tips for Luke on how to get a girlfriend.
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