Seven

Taken at my Uncle's house early in our courtship.

Seven years ago today I met my husband on a blind date.  Yes, we were one of those lucky few who actually connected on a blind date.  Here's our little story...

On a whim I asked a friend of mine, we were in the same dance ensemble, if she knew any "nice guys" she could set me up with on a date.  I'm not sure what even possessed me to ask that day.  Really, I didn't want to be dating anyone.  I had just gotten used to the idea of being happy just as little, solo me but I did.  My friend was gracious and said she'd think about it and let me know if she thought of someone. 

The next week at our dance rehearsal she came bounding up to me saying she had found the "perfect guy" for me.  He was someone for her office.  She was the receptionist and he was a computer software engineer.  She began to describe him a super nice, kind of quiet, bald but very cute.  Apparently according to my friend, he had asked her to set him up as well.  Patrick actually claims it was another guy in the office who asked to be set up but he went along anyway. 

We tried for a few weeks to set a double date with her and her husband.  It became too difficult to arrange a time for all of us to meet up that Patrick and I decided to go it on our own.  He suggested we go swing dancing at the Mercury Cafe and offered to pick me up.  I was a little nervous about this as I was living at my parents house at the time and wasn't sure how I felt about introducing him to my parents on the first date.  More on that in a minute.

Once the date was set many, many outfits were scouted.  I think I tried on ten or so outfits at the mall narrowing it down to two different ones.  I mean what do you where swing dancing with a guy you've never even met?  The trick for me was to be comfortable, alluring, but not too sexy.  A black boat neck tank top with white piping around the shoulders, a lacy black shawl, and a dark pair of jeans won the outfit contest.  I still have the shirt and shawl.  The jeans were confiscated by my sister at some point.  You know how sisters operate.

The night of the date I was looking in on the neighbor's dog while they were out of town.  My mom had walked over with me and I was getting nervous that Patrick could be arriving at any moment.  I remember rushing back across the street as a blue Subaru WRX was coming down the road.  My heart skipped a beat worrying it could be him.  It turned out it was him but I was able to sneak in the house before he parked and made it to the front door.  Now my parents did try to meet him when he came to the door. I was quick to grab my purse and shut the door behind me before they could make any kind of exchange. 

He wore a crisp blue button down shirt that made his blue eyes shine and a pair of black slacks.  Definitely a nicer dresser than any of those I'd dated before.  I remember thinking, "he's a man, not a boy, but a man.  Wow, am I old enough to be going on a date with a man?"   

We hit it off immediately chatting much of the car ride to the Mercury Cafe.  I felt instantly at ease with him, like I could really be myself and it wouldn't matter.  At first I thought it was because it was a blind date and so it didn't matter too much if he didn't like me or something I said because I wouldn't have to see him again.  But now I wonder if it wasn't also because of Patrick that I felt calm, content, myself.

The Mercury Cafe was full of people dancing.  Patrick showed me the basics of swing dancing.  Back in college I had taken a social dance class as a PE credit but my mind was foggy of the steps and it was fun to have him show me.  It came back quick and soon we were giggling and dancing the night away.  Patrick bumped into an old friend while we were there and we traded partners for a song.  I heard later that I got the thumbs up from him. 

Between songs we caught our breath, had a drink or two at the tables skirting the dance floor.  He noticed that my pinkie on my right hand is shorter then my left, that my thumbs are shaped more like toes than thumbs.  This made my heart go pitter, patter, no guy had ever noticed that before.  We talked and talked and talked.  Now if you know me and Patrick you would be flabbergasted that the two of us managed to keep a conversation going all night.  We're both pretty shy at meeting new people. 

After dancing we were both starved but it was pretty late and most places were closed.  All except a Village Inn back by my parents house.  I ordered a veggie omelet and probably scarfed it down, forgetting my manners.  My mouth was probably full of eggie goodness while we chatted some more.

Afterword he drove me home, walked me to my door, and then......

......

say thanks for a nice night and walked back to his car.  No kiss, no hugs, no handshake, no promise to call.  Nothing.  I went in the house, to my waiting parents, kind of stumped.  Did he have a good time?  I had a good time.  Will he call me? Should I call him? 

Patrick claims later it was all part of the game.  Leave the girl wondering and wanting more.  It worked I guess!  He has told me since that he fell in love with me that first date.  It took me a bit longer to realize it but I'm so glad I did.

In case you're wondering he only waited two days before he called me. The next date was playing pool, both of us were comically terrible at it.  And he did make a move for a kiss then. ;) 

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Addendum:

Patrick would like me to say that in fact he did give me a hug at the end of the date.  He remembers it vividly!