This is an important event so it's normal to feel a little nervous. If you get to choose the place, pick somewhere that is convenient and a good place to talk. You could suggest a quiet cafe or coffee shop or even meet in a pretty park. You can say something like, "Would you like to meet at The Coffee Shop? It's quiet, comfortable, and has great drinks." If your first meeting will include the parents, it might take place at the home of one of the families. Ask for it to be your family's home if that makes you feel more comfortable. Ask to change locations if someone suggests meeting in a place that you don't care for. You want to show the other person that you are taking this seriously, so don't be too casual. Dress up for the meeting, but don't go over the top. Go for a look that is both simple and sophisticated. Avoid wild prints or ill-fitting clothing. If you are a man, consider wearing some nice slacks with a collared shirt. Don't forget to make sure your shoes are in good shape! If you're a woman, a nice dress is a great choice. Stick to a more conservative silhouette that isn't too short or too tight. The point of this first meeting is to see if you are compatible and feel a connection with the other person. That means you're going to need to get personal! While it may feel strange, it is totally acceptable to ask a lot of in-depth questions. To make sure you don't forget anything, write down all of the topics you want to cover. You can group your questions into categories like "family," "work/finances," "faith," and "romance." Once you have your categories, you can come up with specific questions like, "What are the characteristics that are most important to you in a spouse?" You can take your notes to the meeting with you if that makes you feel calmer. Many times, the first meeting will include both sets of parents and some other elder family members. If that's the case, you won't have to do much of the talking. The parents will take the lead in asking most of the questions. You can concentrate on listening to and observing your potential partner. Of course, you will need to politely answer all of the questions that you are asked. Try to smile and speak clearly.

Summary: Ask to meet at a place where you will feel comfortable. Dress to impress. Make a list of what you want to learn. Allow the parents to take the lead in a group setting.

You'll need fishing line, a mouse trap, ring caps, tent pegs, nails, screws, and rubber bands. Use a drill to screw through the mousetrap onto the top half of the tent peg. Use a screwdriver and wood screws to screw them together. The bait pedal is the metal rectangle part that the mouse steps on to release the trap. Drill a hole behind it through the mouse trap. You'll tie a knot over the bait pedal later. If your pop caps are in a ring, cut out individual ones. One should fit over a small nail head. Instead of pop caps, you can use a glow stick. You need to see where it's hitting the wood when it releases. Where the bow hits the wood along the sides, drill a small hole on each side. Hammer a nail in each hole. The head of the nail should face the bow as it swings down. In other words, the bow should come down and hit the nail on the head when the trap releases. If you're using a glow stick, drill four holes. Tie the glow stick on so that the bow hits it when the trap releases. If you want to camouflage your trap, paint the mousetrap and the pegs to match the surroundings. You can also paint the tent pegs before you attach the mousetrap. Securely tie the line to the other tent peg. Hammer the peg into the ground. Make sure the wire is taut across the path. Run it into the back of the trap to the front, and tie it to the bait pedal. Rubber band the tripwire onto the peg and the mousetrap. The rubber band will secure the tripwire. Add a pop cap to each nail head. Pull the bow down to arm the trap. When the tripwire is triggered, the mousetrap will hit the pop caps, making a loud bang. It will tell if a person is walking in the area. If you used a glow stick, the glow stick will light up when hit.

Summary: Gather your materials. Screw the mousetrap to the tent peg. Screw through the trap behind bait pedal. Cut out the pop caps. Release the trap several times. Hammer in two nails. Paint the tent pegs and the mouse trap. Tie the fishing line to the other tent peg. Run the fishing line to the bait peg. Use a rubber band. Arm the mouse trap. Leave it to secure your campground or area.

A solo walk or hike allows you to observe nature without any distractions, and you may be surprised by how enjoyable some alone time in nature can be. Visit a nearby park, lake, river, or nature preserve, especially if you've never been before. Take a picnic! Go for a bike ride. There's a surprising freedom in seeing the world from the seat of a bike. Find a quiet, scenic place or look up bike trails in your area and go explore. You've got time to yourself, so use it to get in shape. It's an excellent way to pass the time while also improving your overall physical and mental well-being. Jog around the neighborhood or do a bit of running on the treadmill. Look online for exercise videos, like yoga or pilates, and follow along with the instructor. Turn on some music and dance in front of the mirror. Better yet, make up a dance, and teach it to your friends and family later. Take up a sport you've never played before. Research the equipment you'll need and find local clubs or teams you can join. Join a gym. Going to the gym will help keep you fit while also giving you a social outlet. You're beholden to no one, so find a spot on the map where you've never been and go there! Drive to the beach and spend your day getting a tan or swimming. Drive to a town you've never seen or visit a park you've never been to. Take pictures so you can show people later. Go fishing and catch some fish to show people or try cooking and eating what you catch.
Summary: Go outside and enjoy nature. Exercise. Have an adventure.