Shelby and Thomas met at Salvatore's Pizzeria for their first date after meeting online. Shelby did most of the talking, and Thomas says he let her and it was all part of his plan. After dinner they headed to the boardwalk in Virginia Beach. Shelby told him all about growing up there. As the date was coming to an end it started to rain and Thomas offered his shirt to keep her dry. He hugged her goodnight and they set plans to see each other again after their upcoming Halloween trips. A week later Shelby picked the second date telling Thomas she had a better pizza place to take him to. They went to Mona Lisa's Pizza, a staple Shelby grew up with, and they took a hike at First Landing State Park. The date ended in another hug. Shelby thought; this guy couldn't be into her since it had been two dates and he still hadn't kissed her! But he agreed to another date a week later. Shelby got tickets to the Norfolk Zoo and lunch at Domar's. She told Thomas that she debated showing him the zoo or Cape Henry Lighthouse. He asked her why not do both. So, they headed to the beach and climbed to the top of the lighthouse. There they talked for over an hour, to the point where the lighthouse guard had come to check on them when they did not return to the office after the climb. Heading down Shelby dared Thomas to jump into the ocean....in November! Thomas never turns down a dare, so he did! By now it was dinner time and the pair headed to Tautog's on the boardwalk, a place that would become their favorite and where many more dates would take place. After dinner they decided why not add one more item to their day date and went to see Interstellar in theaters. The movie was 3 hours long and Shelby saw Thomas shed a tear. After the movie was over the two headed to their cars. Shelby went in for a big hug goodnight and Thomas went in for the first kiss! From that moment Shelby knew Thomas was a keeper and every minute of that 12 hour date was worth it for that first kiss!