11 Years Ago Today: The First Date

I was going to tweet this story out in 20 parts, but that felt like a bit much (you don't say!), so instead I just republished the tweets below in one stream:

Quick story: 11 years ago today, I got set up on a blind date by a b-school classmate. I was in NYC for the summer...

I talked with my date briefly on the phone. I was living with my gram at the time, so suggesting we meet at 5:30 for dinner seemed normal

She politely countered with 7. I'm hardly a foodie. I actually went to the restaurant I had picked out the night before to scout the menu.

She met me outside the lobby of her building. She was probably like "Is he wearing khakis? He's wearing khakis." I was wearing khakis.

I suggested we head to the restaurant, but she said she had just gone there, so could we try something else? (But... my menu-scouting!)

We went for a walk. We stopped by West 4th Street and the basketball courts. She was as enthusiastic to stop and watch as I was. Swoon.

Chatting the whole way. I think we're hitting it off. We end up at a new restaurant but - yes! - it's the sibling of the one I picked out.

Still chatting away. She's from Gainesville and a die-hard Gators fan. I find that exotic. (Foreshadowing, cc: @timtebow)

On to the second bottle of wine. She is arguing offensive rebounding is underappreciated. Swoon. Context here.

Getting late. Walk her back to her apt. Realize my subway back to Brooklyn is out of service for the night. No, wait: For the next 2 years.

I awkwardly explain this. I'm more offended by the idea of spending $70 on a cab ride back to BK than I fear rejection asking to stay over.

The next morning my gram, back in Brooklyn, laughed at me on the phone. She sort of stopped giggling when I told her I'd see her Monday (!)

I called my shidduch friend, who asked how the date went. Me: "I'm still on it." Her: "WHAAAT?!" Day 2 of Date 1 was in full swing.

Another dinner out. A movie. Back to her place -- remember, the subway still wasn't running back to my gram's. Kinda late night.

I got up the next morning and realized I had a Page 2 column due. On no sleep, I filed some sleepy dreck, hoping I could fake it.

About 30 min later, I got a call from Lovinger. "This is... not good," he said. At the time, I was still sort of trying out. I was freaked.

He spiked the column. I promised to do better. What I really wanted to do was tell him about my improbable two-day first-date blind-date...

...And that I'm pretty sure I'm going to marry the woman I spent the weekend with. With that context, he'd understand, right?

Two weeks later, for our third date, she met me in Italy. (Longer story/better story here, via @awl)

Most things take a leap of faith, blind dates no exception. I had never had a good one, but I trusted my friend and had an open mind.

That first date, 11 years ago today, was the best day of my life. Thanks for 11 amazing years, @mimshanoff. I love you.

-- D.S.