THE BLIND DATE CHALLENGE- Well behaved: Maurie & Christian
Maurie is 40 years old, 5'6'' with brown hair and blue eyes. She likes to work out, travel, and hike. She's a teacher with an "awesome" 11-year-old daughter, and she says, "Once I start something, I never give up– I'm a total believer in working hard and playing hard." She is politically "right down the middle," has a Ph.D, and a great smile.
Christian* is 38 years old, 5'9" with brown hair and hazel eyes. He's an administrator at a nearby university, enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, running, golf, and tennis but also has an interest in the arts. He says he stands out because he's "sincere, well-educated, has a good sense of humor... and simply is just a good person." He's looking for "an attractive, warm, and intelligent woman."
Maurie and John met in Belmont at the hip new eatery Bel Rio.
*name changed per request.
What did you do to get ready for the date?
Christian: The usual grooming ritual for men (shower, shave, etc.). Played some soft jazz music and contemplated the evening to come.
Maurie: I took a shower, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and said hi to my neighbors
How long did it take?
Maurie: About a half hour.
Christian: Roughly 45 minutes to an hour.
Who got there first? What did you do while waiting?
Christian: I did. Wanted to scope out the venue, confer with the hostess on best seating options. I spoke with the head chef on evening specials and menu recommendations.
Were you nervous?
Maurie: No. I looked at it as an opportunity to get to know someone new and simply let the chips fall where they may.
Christian: No.
What was your first impression of your date?
Maurie: Older than I thought. Definitely a gentleman. Nice smile.
Christian: A little shy, a little cautious.
What was he/she wearing?
Maurie: A navy jacket and a collared shirt.
Christian: She was casually dressed, blue jeans and floral top.
Did you like their style?
Christian: She was intelligent, considerate, good sense of humor.
Maurie: Yes, he dresses well, great conversationalist, funny, thoughtful, and interesting.
Did you order drinks?
Christian: A warmish evening so I simply stayed with the ice water and extra lemon.
Maurie: I had two glasses of Pinot Grigio.
How was your meal?
Christian: It was good. We had the house steak and tuna taco and shared.
Maurie: The meal was great. I had a cucumber soup and we shared some chocolate mousse after our entrées.
How were your date's table manners?
Maurie: Perfect. He's a slow eater (like me).
Christian: Cordial.
What did you talk about?
Maurie: Education, work, UVA, family politics, Michael Jackson, places we have been and places we would like to visit.
Christian: It ran the gambit from education to family, friends, outside interests, the economy, social issues.
What did you find most interesting about your date?
Christian: She was intelligent and sincere.
Maurie: He's smart and knows many of the same people I do.
What was the weirdest topic of conversation?
Maurie: It was never weird. Although when I mentioned a hormone study I'm participating in, he wanted to make sure I felt comfortable sharing this personal information. Obviously I did because I mentioned it.
Christian: Addressing solutions to a couple of social issues facing our society. But frankly, they need to be addressed.
Anything you didn't like about your date?
Maurie: Not at all.
Christian: Well, ...she gets one point off for burping her wine. (Matchmatker: Did that one register a laugh?)
What do you have in common?
Maurie: We both like to get up at 5am, and we both always obey the speed limit. Woo-hoo!
Christian: Three things....education, education and education.
Did you feel any chemistry?
Maurie: Unfortunately, not the romantic kind.
Christian: Chemistry is felt on three levels: mentally, physically, and spiritually. Two of these registered.
How did the date end?
Christian: An offer was extended for future contact/communication. When I left it was gentleman's protocol: a handshake.
Maurie: After dessert, he wrote down his number and offered to give my daughter tennis lessons. Very sweet.
Would you go out again?
Maurie: As friends.
Christian: Undecided.
What actor/actress does your date remind you of?
Christian: She was her own unique special self.
Maurie: Robert Reed in the Brady Bunch.
What would your theme song for the date be?
Maurie: A relaxing piano melody.
Christian: Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Rate the date:
Christian: 7-8.
Maurie: I'll give it a six only because there was no chemistry, but I very much enjoyed meeting a really nice guy.
Well it sounds like this pair had a lot to talk about, but alas no love was in the air. The matchmaker is not giving up on love though... could you the next to take the Challenge? Email for a shot at love.
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