Bad date?

Dating? What is that? Not really but it has been quite a while since I have been on a date. Well that was mostly because the only guy I want to be going on dates with is... out of town. Anyway, I recently met a young man that did catch my interest.
Well I decided instead of just obnoxiously wanting to text him and debating with myself, I would just be bold and ask him on a date. Strawberry days was this last week. What a perfect opportunity. A carnival. A parade. A rodeo.
Since I was already going to the rodeo I decided that it would be fun to turn it into a date.

Background: There was one other couple on this date... and then Chelsey. I have been in this situation before and it wasn't awkward at all so I didn't think of anything of it. Oh and my date had met Chelsey 4ish years ago.

So my date suggested that we go get food before the rodeo and I got to pick. I didn't want to pick somewhere I always go so I chose Rancheritos. I have had food from here before that was super good. But I couldn't remember what I had ordered so I just got a bean and cheese burrito. It was gross. That probably didn't affect anything though.

While eating we talked but it wasn't the best conversation. It seemed like we were both struggling for interest in the topic. First red flag.
We made our way to the rodeo and it improved until we found our seats. I didn't realize at first but after awhile I noticed that my date was more interested in talking and flirting with Chelsey than me. Flag number 2. Well actually more like Major Red Alert. Chelsey flirts with boys and is pretty much oblivious. I know she will be reading this at some point so just know that I don't care at all that she is sassy and flirty. We're all guilty of it.

Anyway I can pretty much sum up the rest of the date in that last paragraph. I tried to talk and to flirt. He did too. But only 10% of the time was it directed toward me.

The rodeo turned into a cookie dough eating dare. Chelsey took it on and then I helped her out. That was pretty much unforgettable.

Jess and her date left for home because of a long drive. I was sad when Jess left but shortly after my date left. As he was driving off the night became 200% better. My jerk of a date didn't matter anymore and it was now Chelsey, Carson and I. I began laughing and I didn't have to care who heard (I'm pretty sure my laugh bugged my date) We went up to the PG water stump (I would say tower but it's not) and just talked. And talked. And talked. I believe we got there between 12 and 1. We didn't get home until 5.

When I think about it now, that was probably the best therapy I have ever had. It was needed. If Chelsey and Carson had left right away I would have gone down to my room and thought about how rude I had just been treated. Having that time on the water tower helped me realize that it didn't matter.

Chelsey is beyond an incredible person. She's cute and easy to talk to. She is a loaded sassy pistol which just makes her personality that much greater. If a guy who is on a date with me isn't able to see me past my best friend, he's not worth my time. I think I might just bring Chelsey on all my dates just so that I can weed out the bad ones.
She won't approve but I think it's a great idea.

I deserve a man who can appreciate who I am and want to focus on me no matter who is walking by.