A Date Without Expectations — and Without Masks

I met Martha on justfories.com. We both had quite a bit of life behind us and were not looking for a perfect script or a movie-like love story anymore. I was simply looking for someone to laugh with and occasionally take a risk. And I think that’s exactly what connected us — a shared sense of humor and a love for adrenaline.

Our first conversation was so natural that I thought, “Oh, this will be different with her.” We exchanged jokes, laughed at our own imperfections, and quickly discovered we both liked challenges. Not calm walks in the park, but wild ones with a touch of madness.

We arranged a date, but with no expectations. It was supposed to be spontaneous and genuine. Martha’s first idea made me smile: 

-“How about bungee jumping?”

For a moment, I thought she was joking. But I saw the spark in her eyes. There was no doubt she really wanted to do it. It wasn’t just a casual suggestion. It was an invitation to break the daily routine, to experience something wild.

-“Martha, seriously?” - I asked, pretending to be serious.

-“Yes, seriously,” - she replied. - “After forty, there’s no point in being afraid. It’s now or never.”

I couldn’t say no. After all, I’d dreamed of something like this for years but never found a partner willing to try.

We met at the jump site, and the atmosphere alone was special — people mixed with excitement and fear, sharing their feelings. Martha, with a sparkle in her eye, said she felt like a child who finally found new toys.

When we stood at the edge of the platform, my heart was pounding wildly. I looked at her — and saw a smile that said, 

-“I’m here with you. And I’m not backing out.”

-“Ready?” - I asked.

-“Always,” - she answered.

And we jumped. That moment, rushing downward, the freedom and adrenaline made the world disappear. It was just us, together in that wild moment.

After landing, we laughed, gasping for breath, and I thought to myself that this is how life and love should look — authentic, without masks and unnecessary fuss.

After the jump, we went to a nearby café. I always thought a first date should be calm, but with Martha, that wasn’t possible. We exchanged childhood stories, talked about passions, but also about mistakes and moments when fear had paralyzed us in the past.

-“You know, Anthony,” - she said quietly, - “sometimes we’re afraid to show our true selves because we think we won’t be accepted.”

-“Exactly,” - I agreed. - “But with you? I feel like I can be myself. And that’s the most beautiful thing.”

Then she suggested something even crazier.

-“How about a night motorcycle ride? I have one in my garage. Don’t worry, I promise you won’t fall off,” - she laughed.

-“How can I refuse?” - I answered with a big smile.

We set off into the night, wind in our hair, laughing, feeling that this was just the beginning of something special.

Getting to know each other, Martha and I stopped pretending everything had to be perfect. We didn’t have to hide behind masks of expectations or prejudices anymore. We finally found each other — imperfect, funny, sometimes crazy, but always real.

I know we’re not young, but every day with her reminds me that life can surprise us when we stop searching. Sometimes all it takes is one “Hi” on justfories.com and the courage to do something crazy — and then you just have to want to stay together, without masks.