We are in the same age range and would be happy to give some feedback to you. The hobby has been pretty enjoyable for me though I wish I had the selection of those gents in certain other cities (LV,LA,fLORIDA,NY,cHICAGO) as I would certainly hobby more often that I do. Depending on what your preference is when it comes to women your location might limit how much fun you have, I can't imagine Minneapolis has the kind of selection that the previously mentioned cities have.
Staying out of trouble when it coems to LE is pretty simple. I'd say 95 to 99% of LE stings on the hobby (exclusing those that target men looking for providers on the streets, which is not the typical TER member) have LE targeting the providers and not the hobbyist. With that said, seeing women with reviews on TER is the best way to know that it is not LE. Most LE stings are incall appointments, they like to have total control over the situation and they don't have that if they are going to a person's house or hotel. Not to say incall is a bad thing, I actually prefer it as it guards against other hazards especially if you are seeing a provider with no or limited reviews.
I don't know what LE is like in Minnesota in regards to the hobby, you might research that on this board or others. Nothing wrong with being guarded against that, but you will be better served exausting that paranoia on a much more likely scenario, again in the case you see a unreviewed provider, that being a cash and dash - robbery - or bait and switch. When and if you decide to see an unreviewed provider (take one for the team as they say) You are MUCH more likely to be a victom of a unsavory scheme to relieve hobbyists of their money than you are of an LE operation.
Having your radar in tune for tell tale signs of a scam is what you should be worried about. Read up on some of the TER reviews that detail the ripoffs and it will give you some insight on what to watch out for. Common sense and not letting the little head think for the big head will keep you out of trouble. For a rookie, I would advise staying with reviewed providers.
You might experiance some frustration in the beginning as you will have no reviews. Most reputable providers will want reference infomration from you. Since you have seen no one, you will not have this to give them. Some might request employment info from you so they can be more sure you are not LE or a crazy guy who may mean them harm. Its a bit of a catch 22 in the beginning.
As far as STD's, most providers are very health conscience themselves, I can tell you that you are much more safe in this hobby, seeing any reputable provider, than you are picking up a random girl at a bar. Condoms are standard operating procedure and while you can never rule them out I suppose you should know most providers will probably be more concerned than you are.
I would say that letting the women know this is your first date might help you both to proceed better, she will know that you might not be as in tune with things and not think you are LE or something if you don't act as most veterans do.
And finally, I would say all newbies should stay away from backpage,lol, if you don't know what your doing you can easily be one of the victims who step on one of the many landmines on that site (lots of fake pics, other ripoffs on there)etc. You need to be well refined in the art of detecting bullshit when going on there, actually it is not hard if you have common sense.
I am single so I can't advise you on how to keep things from the wife, I am sure there are some tricks to that, obviosuly some tricks you would need to be aware of. I am sure married hobbyists can advise on that.
Have fun with it.
