for the first time/first

[diamondcutter]

I still remember the day when we met for the first time.
(By me)

I want to know if “for the first time” in this sentence could be reduced to “first”.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I still remember the day when we met for the first time.
(By me)

I want to know if “for the first time” in this sentence could be reduced to “first”.

Almost. It's not idiomatic to say "when we met first." The correct phrasing is "when we first met."

No one knows why.

 

[jutfrank]

You don't need when we.

I still remember the day we first met.