You see the posts all over social media this time of year: You remember your kid’s first day of school, their first time on the playground, the first time they rode a bike. But you never really remember the last.
Heck, some of these are even aimed at kids: you don’t remember the last time you hung out with that particular group of friends. You don’t remember the last time you played baseball with the kids in your neighborhood. One day, you just stopped. 
It’s a sentiment that stings, doesn’t it? It’s a reminder of the quiet, unnoticed endings that eventually define our lives.
As she’s out of town this week, I’ve been sitting with the “Sierra situation” and the reality of where I am today, I’ve started applying that same logic to my own journey. I think a lot about “the last.”
I’m tired of the game. I’m tired of the introductory conversations, the repetitive getting-to-know-you scripts, the on-running debate of texting vs calling, and the performative nature of modern dating. I’m not looking to rush into anything, and I’m certainly not standing here with a ring in my pocket—but I am ready to be done with the “firsts.”
I want to go on my last first date. I want to have my last first kiss. Heck the last few “first dates” I’ve been on, I thought they were going they would be my last. Not because I’d don’t want to date anymore (I love the whole courting process to he honest) but because I move with intention. I’m not saying I go I a date with someone because I plan to marry them. What I’m saying is that if I’m going to go out with someone, it’s not just for shits and giggles.
There is an audacity in saying that out loud. It’s the desire to skip the noise, bypass the “dating as a sport” mentality, and just find my forever. I’ll keep playing the game because I’m still interested in meeting someone, but the goal has shifted. I’m no longer looking for the next date; I’m looking for the one that finally ends the search.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn’t just surviving the day-to-day—it’s admitting that you’re ready for the finish line. I’m not trying to put too much pressure on my current situationship, but it would be nice if July 3, 2026 was my last first date.
I’m curious—when was the last time you felt like you were just ‘playing the game’ in your own life, and what was the moment you finally decided to move with intention instead?
Building an Empire
We spend our lives performing for an audience that doesn’t know our real name. But what happens when the stage collapses? This Thursday, we’re tearing down the ‘tomb’ of the past and building an empire on our own terms. Join me for a deeply personal look at finding sovereignty in the Serengeti.
“Building an Empire”—Episode 3 of Rebuilding Rob: The Podcast—drops tomorrow on Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
Rebuilding a life takes grit, consistency, and a lot of ‘Option C’ thinking. Having crossed the 1,000-day milestone, I’m now charting the territory beyond. The mission remains the same: No glitz. Just the work. New to the blog? Start your journey here to see the blueprint and the ‘Tricorder’ perspective behind the rebuild.
Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road beyond 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE.
Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like 👍, comment and subscribe below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media and check out my recent posts!
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The article “July 3, 2026 – A Line in the Sand” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.
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