Rowan
Lots of Dates and a Strong New Friendship
Success Story
"I wanted to meet new people and do some fun activities."
Rowan is an active 21-year-old who learned about Find Love Safely from a friend. “I wanted to meet new people and do some fun activities,” she said. She told her mom Barb, and they decided to register with the organization. Rowan’s first activity was a speed dating event on Valentine’s Day. Rowan has been matched with two males for dates and one female for friendship.
"I like his voice. He’s funny. We both like music and throwing parties. We have been to a concert, taken walks, and gone out to eat at restaurants."
- Rowan
Match #1: Noah
Noah and his brother Ethan share an apartment in Edina. For Noah’s and Rowan’s first date, his mom invited Rowan to come tour the apartment before they went out. “Rowan was really interested in seeing their apartment because a lot of her friends are starting to live independently,” said Barb.
Noah works with the Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. “He sings and dances with them, and he knows several musical instruments,” explained Barb. Ethan also plays, and the boys did a piano duet for Rowan.
“Noah said it’s not a date unless you go out someplace,” said Rowan. “We went to Starbucks!” Barb said it’s one of Rowan’s favorite places, and Noah really likes it, too.
On their second date, they had planned to go to a pizza place. But when Rowan arrived, she noticed an Indian restaurant next to Noah’s apartment. “I love Indian food,” said Rowan. She asked Noah if they could have Indian food instead of pizza. “He was such a good sport, he said yes,” said Barb. Noah hadn’t been there before, but he said he liked it and would have it again. On this date, they talked about favorite hobbies. “We talked about music, parties, hiking, and farmer’s markets,” said Rowan.
Rowan’s impression of Noah? “I like his voice. He’s funny. We both like music and throwing parties. We have been to a concert, taken walks, and gone out to eat at restaurants.”
"Allise was really kind. She said 'Rowie, are you okay? Do you need a break?' And Rowan said yes, I’m going to take a break."
- Barbara, Rowan's mom
Match #2: Allise
Rowan was matched with Allise for friendship. When Rowan and Barb read Allise’s profile online, they learned that she and her mom planned a Wicked-themed party. “You both like party planning, and I think that’s one of the reasons she was matched with you,” said Barb.
Rowan and Allise talked on the phone to pick an activity to do together. They learned they both love princesses, so they saw the movie Snow White. “We talked about favorite hobbies, like concerts, parties, and arts and crafts,” said Rowan.
Rowan and Allise both attended a workshop on boundaries, and Allise noticed that Rowan was having a hard time. “Allise was really kind,” said Barb. “She said ‘Rowie, are you okay? Do you need a break?’ And Rowan said yes, I’m going to take a break.”
Rowan also invited Allise to her birthday party, and the girls went swimming together at the Shoreview Community Center. “My first impression of Allise is just how sweet she is,” said Rowan. “She is very kind.”
Match #3: Peter
Peter likes bowling, so Rowan and Peter went bowling on their first date. Rowan’s first impression of Peter: “He is funny, and he is goofy. He was joking with me!”
They learned they both like music and food, and Peter had finished the BUILD program, so they talked about his experience. BUILD stands for Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development, a 2-year on-campus living program that provides supportive and comprehensive educational experiences for individuals with intellectual disabilities. “You found out that Peter knows your friend Haley,” added Barb.
Rowan and Peter went to the Science Museum for their second date. “We saw the anatomy exhibit and the athletics exhibit,” said Rowan. “And we went to the Omni Theater and saw Blue Whales.” Both Rowan and Peter said the athletics exhibit was their favorite. “There were a bunch of activities you could do there, like run fast or try to see how high you could jump."
Their third date was at the Como Zoo. “We saw the animals and rode on the Tilt-a-Whirl. And we saw the Japanese garden. Peter liked seeing the polar bears, and I liked seeing the lions.”
"He is funny, and he is goofy. He was joking with me!"
- Rowan
Favorite Memory and Best Outcomes
Reflecting on her dates with Noah and Peter, Rowan said her favorite memory was touring Noah’s apartment and going to Starbucks. “The excitement of that first date was pretty big,” said Barb.
When asked about the best outcomes of Rowan’s experiences with Find Love Safely, Barb said: “The whole thing has been extremely positive. The opportunity for her to have real-life situations where she has to take responsibility and ownership to set up the dates, carry on conversations during the dates, and do the appropriate follow-up. Having that reciprocity of relationship and responsibility has been remarkable. We have seen tremendous growth in her skill sets.”
"The whole thing has been extremely positive. The opportunity for her to have real-life situations where she has to take responsibility and ownership to set up the dates, carry on conversations during the dates, and do the appropriate follow-up. Having that reciprocity of relationship and responsibility has been remarkable. We have seen tremendous growth in her skill sets."
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