The Dating World

I've been in the dating world for a little over two years now. No serious relationships. Just trying to get my footing on who I am as a woman and to vaguely put it "finding myself".
There has been one topic lately that has stirred my interest on what the first date should be. I've heard on a recent show that "we should go on a typical American date-dinner and a movie." My question is who wants typical? I've never considered anyone typical. We're all unique in our own ways but I guess the most typical thing to do is eat and watch a movie. But is that the mark you want to leave on someone? Doing the same thing they can do anytime? Where's the wow factor and that something extra to make a lasting impression?
I recently went on a date with a complete stranger. My first sort of blind date, a man I met in the post office-I know random BUT at least it wasn't a bar (my parents would be proud). We chatted, he asked me to coffee so I got his number and contacted him a little later. After a couple of phone conversations he asked me to dinner and I agreed to go. He took me to James at the Mill. It was a first for me, I live less then 5 miles from the place and I've never been so I was curious. We were seated and decided to get drinks and he insisted on a bottle of champaign. I agreed and when I looked at the list and saw the price it was $400. I was so taken back that I was a little embarrassed. I'm not sure why but I just felt weird. So we drank it, it was great and so we ordered another..and one more for good luck. So if you're keeping track we've just drank $1,200 worth of champaign. On top of that we had a special made cheese, fruit, and bread tray made for us that wasn't on the menu, I ate this amazing italian sausage pasta, he had a ribeye, and then he finally ordered all 4 of their desserts because we couldn't decide on one. By this time I'm just letting lose and enjoying the company of the people around us. We're all have such a great time talking that I lose track of the damage we have done. So we get the bill and it readers: $1,897. That's right...$2,000 plus on a first dinner date.
Now I'm sure you're all thinking that I'm saying he guys drain you're life savings on the first date...NO! Sometimes the simplest thing can amaze another person. Keep that in mind. The dinner was nice yes but I was so taken back that I had just devoured a dinner that is a little less than my summer school tuition.
In my opinion, be creative! I would rather have spent $2,000 on a vacation to some tropical paradise. You don't have to spend that to impress a girl. Do something different and think outside of the box in this case the restaurant and movie theater. There are a million things just waiting to be done...
Till next time~Love Lea