Case scenario: You and your main squeeze get together on Friday night. You’re both broke. There’s nothing on television. You have nothing else to do… or do you?

There are a lot of things that most people don’t even think of when it comes to dating. When you think about dating, what comes to mind? Money? Movies? Dinner?

Dating is much more than having money to go do things and going to dinner and a movie.

Even something as small as getting a blanket and going and sitting beside Pacer Pond and watching the stars and sipping hot chocolate can be a wonderful date.

If you enjoy letting your inner child play, go to the park and swing on the swings together.

If all else fails, go drive around on some country roads. Living in Western Kentucky and Western Tennessee all my life, I’ve learned that there’s a lot of incredible scenery out there if you’re willing to go find it. Pick a place on top of a hill away from the city lights and go watch the sunset and enjoy each other’s company.

If you’re not a nature-loving person, there’s plenty of other activities to do that won’t irritate your allergies.

Each Wednesday and Friday night, there’s a movie playing in the Watkins Auditorium in the University Center. Pick a night and go watch one of those.

You get free admission and free popcorn, who could ask for more?

If you don’t like crowds, or you just don’t like what movie is playing on that particular night, go to Blockbuster and rent a movie. It costs around three dollars to rent one and a Blockbuster Card is free.

If you have a car and don’t mind a drive, go to Jackson and go to the mall. Walk around for a bit, do some people-watching.

You can get some pretty good laughs and jump-start some interesting conversation from just watching people; very good for a date.

If nothing else, go to Wal-mart. Let your inner child play in the toy section and have fun.

That’s what dating is about, having fun and being together while doing it.