Funfair date (as seen in Never Been Kissed; Love, Simon). I was one date in and already two movies behind, so we agreed I would watch at least one film for each date. Ruby was convinced that once I got into it I’d watch them all of my own accord anyway. I remained skeptical.
Meaningful eye contact. I talked Ruby into making this an addendum to part one. It wasn’t a date per se so it couldn’t get its own category and by extension she couldn’t add any more movies to the list.
One person teaches the other a skill (as seen in Say Anything . . . , Imagine Me & You). Slightly concerning as I don’t have any discernible skills, but maybe Ruby was hiding a talent for tennis or pottery. One of those ones where she’d have to get up close and personal to guide me.
Karaoke. Where one or both people reveal their hidden singing talent or lack thereof (as seen in My Best Friend’s Wedding, 500 Days of Summer) I protested this one vehemently, pointing out we’d already done karaoke. Ruby insisted that I hadn’t sung so it didn’t count. I privately decided I’d work on convincing her to replace this with something less horrifying.
Frolicking (as seen in all of them, apparently). I was still unconvinced by this, but Ruby’s insistence that it would be found in any rom-com gave me a sound argument for not adding any more specific movies to my watch list.
Performing a synchronized dance routine (as seen in 13 Going on 30, Easter Parade). I was starting to feel as though I needed to be a West End star just to get through this summer with my dignity intact.
Movie night (as seen in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Notting Hill). Obviously this should be replete with the tension of imminent kissing in the air.
Passionate kissing in the rain (as seen in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Breakfast at Tiffany’s). OK, I was totally on board for this one.
Date on a rowboat (as seen in The Proposal, 10 Things I Hate About You). I did not fancy my chances rowing. My arms got tired when I was blow-drying my hair.
Having one of those “No, you hang up” conversations on the phone (as seen in The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Pillow Talk). She really had to dig into the vault for this one.
The slow dance (as seen in The Gay Divorcee, When Harry Met Sally . . .). Ruby explained that this was different from the dance routine, which was meant to be fun and playful. The slow dance was romantic and passionate. They were both bloody dances as far as I was concerned, but I let it slide nonetheless. Call me a hopeless romantic.