Get back in the game: Tips for stepping up your game in the dating department, plus fun date-night ideas

Has it been awhile since you've been on a "real" date? Does the thought of dating make you feel nervous, anxious or uneasy? If so, here are some tips to help ease you back into the dating game. Plus, we'll share some creative date ideas for you to try when you do meet that special someone!

Over the past several years, the world of online dating websites has exploded as singles search for new ways to meet potential mates.

"I see nothing wrong with using Internet dating services," says Utahna Hancock, a partner in The Dale & Hancock Center for Individual and Family Therapy in Cape Girardeau. "I have several clients who have had success with them, and I know more than one person who has found a permanent mate that way. They give you the opportunity to explore where you are in your life and what you want, and it's a safe way to look for a partner."

However, Hancock admits she views online dating websites as a bit of a "shortcut" when it comes to searching for a lifelong mate.

"You really don't know someone until you've spent time with them," she says.

Laughing couple at bowling alley

She also advises taking thing slowly in the dating game.

"Don't take it too fast," she says. "Remember, being in love is like being in a temporary state of insanity! Work through the infatuation stage and see if you and this person are capable of a deeper love."

If children are involved, Hancock advises being very aware of their feelings toward your new love interest.

"Take things slow and easy, especially if kids are involved," she says. "See if your relationship can stand the test of time."

If you're still single and hoping to meet someone, Hancock encourages you to "just get out there!"

"Go to church, community activities or join an organization or club," she says. "Find worthy activities (to invest your time in)."

Last, she encourages singles to be honest with potential mates.

"Be yourself and let the person see you, warts and all," she says. "Be honest and open from the get-go."

Once you find that person you would like to get to know better, what next?

Stacy Dohogne Lane, director of public relations for the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau, offers these suggestions for an unforgettable date:

Romantic couple

* The Taste of Chocolate Winery Tour on Feb. 21 and 22 is a two-day event celebrating wine, chocolate and romance. Enjoy fine wine perfectly paired with a decadent chocolate treat at each of the four wineries on the Mississippi River Wine Trail (Apple Creek Vineyard & Winery, Hemman Winery, Hunter Valley Winery and The Barrens Winery). Tickets are available at www.visitcape.com or at any of the participating wineries.

* First Friday with the Arts is the perfect date for art lovers! Meet local artists, ask questions about their work and experience the rich culture of the local art world. All participating art galleries open at 5 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. the first Friday of each month in Cape Girardeau. Enjoy wine tasting, soft drinks and refreshments as well.

* Try hiking at Trail of Tears State Park and stopping at the overlook -- it's a beautiful spot to share with your sweetheart, Lane says. To make it even more romantic, pack a blanket and a picnic lunch.

* If trying local flavors suits you and your sweetheart's palate, Cape Girardeau has many edible offerings. From Italian to Mexican to barbecue to Irish fare, Cape has more than 20 locally owned and operated restaurants that are "authentic to Cape," says Lane.

* The River Campus at Southeast Missouri State University showcases a multitude of concerts and performances by university students as well as artists from around the globe. Share one of these cultural events with your special someone and enjoy a view of the Mississippi River to boot! Visit www.semo.edu for events, dates and ticket sales information.

* Visit a winery or two with your significant other. There are eight locally owned wineries all within a short drive of Cape Girardeau. Some offer free entertainment on weekends as well as various special events throughout the year.

* For a bit of a "twist" on a date (or maybe a "twisted date," as Lane puts it!), try going on a scavenger hunt a la Nick and Amy Dunne in "Gone Girl." You can even visit to The Bar, the newly opened nightspot that was used when the movie was shot last year in downtown Cape Girardeau. You and your sweetie can also take the "Gone Girl" driving tour. Pick up a printed brochure of the tour at the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 400 Broadway or download it from www.visitcape.com.