Valentine’s Day is almost here, and the idea of a first date on the “most romantic day of the year” has everyone debating. The day oozes romance, but a first date already comes with its own jitters.

After 76 first dates, I stopped trying to optimize for love and learned to enjoy the experience of meeting someone new.

With fuel prices on the rise, even simple plans like going on a date can feel a bit more expensive. But hey, the dating scene ...