Jerry Maguire Date: You Had me at Tacos

Football was a no brainer. There’s no way to have a Jerry Maguire date without an emphasis on the film’s featured sport. Granted, that could be done in a variety of ways. But for me, I wanted to throw a football around with my wife. More on that in a bit.

                The way to my wife’s heart, or stomach, is through some solid Mexican cuisine. Instead of “you had me at hello,” she’s one lady who would prefer “you had me at tacos.” I’m guessing she’s not the only one. If Tom Cruise and the incredible cast ever go through with a sequel, I’m hoping they call me up. I’ve got ideas.

Jerry and Dorothy, the movie’s featured couple blur the lines between a first date and an office meeting with dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant. Regardless of what it was, Jerry questions if he’s dressed nicely enough when he shows up to Dorothy’s wearing jeans. Dorothy’s elegant black dress is something else, even prompting Jerry to compare her to Audrey Hepburn.

                My pre-date research revealed that the name of the actual restaurant used in that scene was Paco’s. Since I knew of my wife’s love of the cuisine, I ecstatically shouted “SHOW ME THE MONEY,” when I found a nearby place called Pancho’s. The similarities between the two names were uncanny, which I chalked up as another no brainer about where we were heading. Further, though we had never been to Pancho’s before, it received rave reviews from a close friend.

It was a small place, and in my experience, those are often the best kind. And sure enough, we agreed with my friend's five-star review. I loved my chicken tacos, while she raved about her burritos, and of course topping our food off with the necessary chips and salsa. As for a drink, we each got a Jarrito soda, to which my wife informed me that the “J” sound is an “H,” but not until I had already completely butchered the name when placing our order. Though drinking them would have to wait, as we realized we didn’t have a bottle opener on hand. Leaving the restaurant with satisfied bellies, vowing we would be back, it was time for the date’s second half. Football.

Posing with our unopened sodas on the football field.

                Back in the car, contemplating on where we should go, I said, “it would be cool to actually throw the ball around on an actual football field.” I kid you not that I did not plan it this way, but it just so happened that there was no school on this random Tuesday. It was settled. We headed to a nearby high school, hoping for two things. First, that we could gain access to the field, and second, that it was empty. It was both. SHOW ME THE MONEY! Though we weren’t there too long, I had a blast throwing the football around with my babe. We even punted a few times to each other, reminding me that I had never played on a football team in my life. Since we were on a field, I told my wife that I wanted her to time me at running the 40, simply a 40-yard-dash event often used to determine a football player’s speed. As she clocked me upwards of 7 seconds, I think I may have lost a step or two. Or more likely, I’m just slow. Despite my pleading, my wife did not cave to my peer pressure that she should run it too. Maybe next time.

                Finally, but not until arriving home, we got those Jarritos opened. It was an incredible midday date, reminding me that doing things together doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic. It was a fun way to connect doing something that we rarely do together. As for next time, I informed my wife that she’ll be wearing a black dress. I’ll stay with the Tom Cruise inspired jeans.

Until next time, keep dating.

Brent

BUILD YOUR OWN DATE – Jerry Maguire

Note: The following ideas all came from the movie. Feel free to use one, all, or something else. The choice is yours.

Locations:

·         Mexican Restaurant

·         Sports Bar

·         Football Stadium

·         The Zoo

Activities:

·         Play football.

·         Watch a football game (on TV or in-person).

·         Listen to Jazz music.

Food:

·         Mexican Food

·         Game day food

Brent Bonus:

·         Here’s an interesting idea…what about coming up with a couple’s mission statement?