Date One

Matchmaking …traditional values ensure common ground.

 

To trail back, last weekend, The Matchmakers Daughter rang me with the news of  ‘an eligible match’.  I was excited. Limited information was supplied, but yet I was willing to walk whimsically in the face of serendipity. According to matchmaking traditions, once a match is found, the girl waits for the guy to call.  Waited I did. It was excruciating. Hours and days lingered.  I was tempted to ring the Matchmaker for his number, but I relented and held back. My negative one, peered its ugly head….what if he didn’t turn up? Dateless on my first outing, a catastrophe.

 

Patience is a virtue and one that I need to learn more about. Patrick did call and the date was arranged.

 

The first date was chosen by me; an easy varietal that included two of my favourite things in this world wine and tapas.  I chose a small intimate wine bar in the South side named Dax.  Walking in was terrifying.  I stepped out of the taxi to be greeted by about 40 men.  Did my other dates get it wrong and all turn up on the same night?  Fortunately or unfortunately that didn’t happen, they were Dail goers. But it would’ve made an amazing speed-date.

 

Patrick was perfectly on time. He arrived trailing a big smile and a huge welcome. That continued throughout the night.  We found a quiet corner table and Christoff, the friendly waiter, was straight over with menus. I got excited and I’m talking about the wine. Patrick doesn’t drink wine. Not a problem but necessitated me drinking that little extra glass by myself. The list was wide, but choice of a Syrah Grenache was first class.  Tapas is a great choice for a dinner date. Different plates, colours, aromas and tastes ensure there is never a dull moment.  However, that was never going to be the case between us two.

 

Patrick and I had an immense amount in common. Conversation burst from both our beings.  The matchmaker got it right as finding two like-minded individuals. There were numerous conversations on the table all trailing in and out of one another. Political banter consumed us, which clearly nipped the idea that politics should never be discussed on a first date.  Surprisingly, the match was closer to home, as Patrick was from about 20mins from me in Tipperary. In typical Irish fashion, we started to list all the people we had in common. There were many and I presume more to come. As proud Tipperary heads, hurling was the highlight, as we both relived our favourite hurling moments over the years, with special attention being given to the wonderful win last September.

 

The food was good; I noticed that my little hand was very quick off the mark as always.  Tapas is all about sharing, but my forgetful nature made it difficult for me to remember the theory of portion control.  Note to self, after the 40 dates, it’s on my agenda to lobby the Dept. of Education in order to include ‘food portion management’ in the Leaving Cert. It’s a necessary skill for all.

 

 

Patrick is a tax consultant but perhaps a wannabe Vet.  However, he is content at tending to the tax web for the better of his employer. If it’s possible to be passionate about tax, I think he could be.

 

Even though, tax and figures are never on my agenda we had loads of common ground.  Most unusually, up until recently we shared the same weakness in this world, that being, both us could not touch our toes.  I conquered the weakness last year in a yoga ashram in India and was keen to demonstrate my new skills last night.  Patrick on the other hand, can only touch his knees. The challenge has been set for 9^th September, exactly six months from now, that we would reconvene for a new contest. Patrick assured me he would win the next round.

 

Was it a win overall? Patrick was great. We had so much in common.  The date was an ever-winding tale of many short stories, one leading from the other.

Would I approach Patrick on a night out? Probably not. I have a tendency to look for the exotic in life (I picked Squid off the menu last night…get my drift).  Patrick is not exotic. He is a traditionalist; his favourite meal is bacon & cabbage. Nothing wrong with bacon & cabbage…I love it too. But, would I place it in my top five list? That being said, after nearly three hours of a great conversation, there were moments where there was true connection that would without a doubt warrant a second date.  It really showed me to think outside my usual type. The exotic type had not worked in the past. Maybe, it was time to go back to the roots.

 

All in all, great guy, great food, great ambience, which means great date.  Score.

 

The first dating destination has been reached. For doubters, last night proved to me that I am inexorable in my journey into the dating world. Next stop speed dating.