Tinderella tries something different: A blind date
Remember dating before online dating? You know, meeting someone at work, school, through a friend or at a bar? I’d forgotten too until a girlfriend asked if she could set me up. It was the perfect blind date situation: a friend of a friend. I needed a break from Tinder so I figured why not? Also, she assured me that she had done a ‘background check’ and that the setup was more about thinking we would actually click than the fact that we were both in our 30s and single.
Let’s call him Alex. I didn’t know much about him before our first date. I knew his name, what he did for work and had one picture – but it was one where he was wearing sunglasses and a hat, so it doesn’t count. I was intrigued by the idea of my friends thinking we were a good fit and I hadn’t been set up in years. Maybe this time would be different?
ALSO SEE: Tinderella makes a match – and learns that the rules of dating have changed
Keeping in mind the lessons learned from my first Tinder date, I tried not to text too much before we met. He suggested drinks at a bar nearby and we agreed on a Wednesday night. The plan was to meet at 7:30 p.m. and at 7:32 p.m., he sent a text saying he was there – a punctual man!
A few minutes later I arrived. Because he was pretty much in disguise in the photo I saw, I barely recognized him. He had a Matthew Broderick look to him, with black rimmed glasses and a clean shaven face. I’m usually more into the bearded, hipster-type, but since that hasn’t really worked for me so far, I decided to keep an open mind.
As we got talking, I realized we had a similar sense of humour. I was genuinely laughing and having a pretty great time. Alex had an interesting background. He liked to travel, was well spoken, driven and had a quiet confidence about him. We briefly talked about our online dating adventures and he shared that although he had been on a number of first dates, he hadn’t been on a second date in quite awhile. I liked that we could be candid with each other and wondered if he would be up for a second date after the night was through.
Okay, so I need to be straight up. I wasn’t physically attracted to Alex, at first, but as the date went on I found myself looking at him differently. Where his looks may have lacked, his humour, subtle charm and intellect definitely made up for it.
Fast-forward through some drinks and a few hours later we decided to call it a night. Unlike previous awkward goodbyes, this one was comfortable. He said he had a great time and that we should get together again. I agreed, we hugged and parted ways. I walked away feeling surprised. It had been months since I left a first date feeling excited and anxious for what was next.
On Thursday, Alex texted me and asked if I was free for a second date.
For our second date we met for drinks, again. I was pretty nervous and had a hard time figuring out what to wear. I ended up settling on short, black dress with black, lace tights – to kick things up a notch. It was more Anne Hathaway in “The Devil Wears Prada” than Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman,” but that didn’t stop Alex from blurting out, “wow, you look hot” when I arrived. Actually, he was much more confident and direct in general – something I hadn’t picked up on during our first date. I was flattered, but also a bit thrown.
We chatted easily about the week since our last date. His dry sarcasm, subtle charm, and intellect – it was all still there, but something seemed off. As we talked, I noticed that his eyes were a little glossy and red. I’m pretty blunt so I straight up asked, “are you stoned?” He didn’t seem phased. He chuckled and said no. “Are you hammered?” I continued. Maybe I was being rude, but at this point it was pretty obvious that something was up.
He said no again, but did admit that he had a few drinks with his coworkers before we met. I would argue that he had closer to a dozen but I have no way of proving this.
About halfway through our second drink – and halfway through my sentence – Alex cut me off asking, “when can I see you again?” The question seemed abrupt. Was he so enamoured by me that he wanted to lock down a third date or was this his twelfth gin and tonic speaking? I couldn’t be sure. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, chalking up his semi-drunken state to dating nerves and his eagerness to set up a third date as endearing.
We agreed on Sunday night and he asked if he could make me dinner – potentially a romantic gesture or ploy to get laid. I, again, gave him the benefit of the doubt and said yes, and also mentioned that I’m lactose intolerant. “Got it, no cheese,” he said. It was cute. We finished our drinks and headed out.
I didn’t live far from the bar so Alex walked me home. This time he went in for a kiss – Matthew Broderick has game! It was pretty perfect as far as first kisses go – an ideal balance of aggression and gentleness. We stepped back from each other smiling and parted ways.
Inside, I replayed the events of the evening in my head. I was bothered that he seemed drunk but the rest of the night went so well. It was obviously too soon to know if this was a one-off or a cause for concern. A third date at his condo would be telling. What would his condo look like? What would he cook? Will he be platonic Alex from date one or direct and flirty Alex from date two? Only time would tell.
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