The worst date ever, that was indeed unexpected

I stumbled upon him in the vast realm of the internet about two months before our eagerly awaited in-person meeting. From that moment, I felt an electric connection as we engaged in daily conversations, sometimes even twice daily, deepening our bond. Our talks became a comforting ritual, rich with laughter and vulnerability, allowing us to peel back the layers of our lives and aspirations.

Our relationship embarked on a slow yet thrilling journey, igniting a sense of excitement within me. Both of us were acutely aware, drawing from our dating experiences, that cultivating a meaningful connection was the wisest path forward. Right from our initial chats, we laid our cards on the table, openly discussing what we sought in a partner. I made it abundantly clear that I was searching for a man who embodied honesty, integrity, and strong moral values. I needed to find a true partner, someone to share my life with, rather than just a fleeting romance. Hearing him echo my sentiments gave me a sense of relief and an exhilarating anticipation for what lay ahead.

Having been married twice, I cherished the sacred bond that marriage represented. The memories of my last experience lingered, tainted by the betrayal of infidelity, yet that setback hadn't extinguished my desire to enter into a marital union again. On the other hand, he had never taken the plunge into marriage, stating he had never encountered anyone he deemed worthy of such a commitment. This revelation sparked curiosity about his past and what had shaped his perspective on love and partnership.

One night during our conversation, I asked him why, after more than fifty years, no one had been deemed worthy of his commitment. After a long pause, he finally replied, "Most of the women I dated, although nice and beautiful, did not meet my expectations of a wife." He said this matter-of-factly. Curious, I asked, "What are your expectations?"

During one of our heartfelt conversations, I couldn't help but ask him why, after over fifty years, he hadn't found someone he felt was worthy of his commitment. After a thoughtful pause, he shared, "While many of the women I dated were lovely and kind, they just didn't align with my vision of a partner for life." Intrigued, I asked, "What does that vision look like for you?" He replied, "Empathy, trust, compassion, honesty, and, naturally, a fulfilling sex life. Those are my top priorities, though not the only ones. Unfortunately, I often found one or two missing in my relationships." I pondered aloud, "Are all those qualities too much to hope for in a partner?" His answer was, "Yes!" His sincerity inspired me, reminding me of the beauty of genuine connections.

I paused to reflect on the thought-provoking question before asking, "Have you ever experienced love?" He responded gently, "I believe so, but what does love truly mean?" 

He shared insights into the challenges of his career and his dedication to family and friends. "I find that many women I dated came with their own expectations and trust issues. They often didn't appreciate my principles or commitment to hard work, which made things complex. It's been a journey of understanding what love really is!”

That truly brought a smile to my face! I felt a surge of excitement as I considered the possibility of meeting in person. A few days passed, and while I held back from bringing it up again, I was hopeful. Then, one evening, while we were chatting and enjoying our favorite comedy, Tom Hanks' classic "The Money Pit," I decided to take a leap of faith and invite him to dinner. To my delight, he responded positively, saying he'd check his schedule and I should choose the restaurant. I agreed, feeling a wave of optimism!

As a few days passed without hearing from him, I tried to stay patient, thinking he might be busy. However, after a bit longer, I felt compelled to reach out. When I called, it went straight to voicemail. This was unusual for us, as we typically spoke almost daily. I found myself spiraling a bit, wondering if I had misread the signals or if he was hesitating about taking that first step into meeting face-to-face. Even though my mind was racing, I chose to remain positive. Sometimes timing is everything, and I'm confident the opportunity to connect will come soon!

I kept eagerly checking my phone and email, hoping for his message. At that time, I was teaching in a unique Special Education program at a public school, which made it challenging to focus. I felt restless and anxious but remembered his words about clinginess and trust issues. Determined to give him space, I held back from calling again, even after reaching out a dozen times. It was challenging, but I'm committed to maintaining my self-esteem and staying positive.

It was a bit late when he called, but I was in a good mood and eagerly picked up on the first ring. "Hi! How are you?" he exclaimed, full of cheer. I could sense a playful vibe brewing. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I felt a bit annoyed, but I kept it light and friendly. I glanced into my glass of wine and took a nice, hearty sip before responding, "I'm doing well; how about you?"

He launched into an exciting tale of his impromptu adventure, revealing that reaching out had been tough, but he missed our connection. "Oh, okay!" I replied, genuinely curious but unsure how to respond to his casual attitude.

The conversation shifted to our upcoming dinner date and his schedule. "Did you pick a restaurant?" he asked. "I did!" I said, sharing all the beautiful details. "Sounds perfect! Let me check my schedule," he replied, and I could hear the rustle of papers in the background. 

"How does this Saturday sound? Could you make reservations for around eight?" I agreed, "Sure, it's not a five-star restaurant, but it’s a lovely spot!" 

"Awesome, text me the address, and I’ll see you Saturday at eight," he said, and without missing a beat, he wrapped up the call, wishing me a good night. I felt a mix of anticipation and optimism for our date!

The restaurant I picked for our special evening is one of my absolute favorites! The ambiance is just perfect for a romantic dinner. With its soft lighting and well-spaced tables, you can enjoy each other's company without disturbing neighboring conversations. The cozy booths add to the intimate feel, making it a truly unique experience. Plus, the staff is incredibly friendly. Since I visit often, they've come to know me, which makes every visit feel even more special!

All week, I was buzzing with excitement for our big date, and Saturday finally arrived! I dedicated the day to preparing and pampering myself with a fresh hairdo and fabulous nails. I carefully chose a stylish outfit and added more makeup than usual to make an excellent impression!

Hoping to arrive fashionably late, I pulled into the parking lot a little past 8. I noticed a man waiting outside as I approached the parking lot entrance. To my surprise, he dashed over, pointed at his watch, and exclaimed, "You’re late! I’ve been here since 8!" Caught off guard and puzzled, I flashed a smile and replied, "I’m sorry! Let me park, and I’ll be right in!" 

He waited patiently for me to park, and we walked in together. As soon as we stepped inside, Kyle, the friendly Maître D', noticed me and greeted me with a warm smile. "Hello, Lois! It's great to see you. I saw your name on the RSVP list, and your favorite booth is all set for you!” We followed him to our booth, which had a cozy atmosphere and offered a lovely view of the entire restaurant as well as the sparkling ocean beyond the outdoor seating.

Kyle signaled for the waiter as soon as we settled into our seats. I took this moment to introduce DeWayne to Kyle and casually asked about his family. Once Kyle left, DeWayne couldn't contain his curiosity and started firing questions at me: "How well do you know Kyle? Why did you ask about his family?" I reassured him that my only connection with Kyle was just from visiting the restaurant, and he seemed satisfied with that answer.

When our friendly waiter arrived, we eagerly ordered the specials. As I was about to order a dry martini, DeWayne looked up at the waiter and said, "She won’t be having any drinks tonight." I felt a surge of frustration but decided to keep my thoughts to myself to avoid creating an awkward scene. We chatted here and there, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this evening wasn't going quite as I'd hoped.

The food was indeed delicious, and the overall ambiance was delightful. Just as we finished our meal, DeWayne received a phone call. I crossed my fingers, hoping he wouldn't answer and ruin the mood, but he did. "Where the hell have you been, and where's my money?" he shouted into the phone, and I felt my cheeks flush as all eyes turned toward us. I wanted to sink deeper into my seat as the conversation escalated. Kyle came over to check if everything was alright, and while I attempted to assure him that it wasn't as bad as it seemed, DeWayne shot him a look that made him walk away. Trying to escape the chaos, I excused myself for a bathroom break and noticed several curious glances in my direction. When Kyle approached me, I subtly waved him off.

Returning to the booth, he tried to explain that the person on the other end of the line was just a tenant who owed him rent. I wasn't entirely convinced, and by that point, I was ready to call it a night! When the waiter brought the check, DeWayne pulled out a thick wad of bills and asked if I had my half. In a moment of hesitation, I reached for my purse but stopped myself. I turned to him and said, "Sorry, I don't." He replied cheerfully, "No problem! Next time, dinner's on you!" He paid the bill, and as we walked outside, he cheerfully suggested, "The food was amazing! How about we grab a bottle and head to the park?" I couldn't help but think, "Do I look like I want to neck in the park?" With a polite smile, I declined, saying, "No, thank you, I'm heading home." I could see a flicker of disappointment on his face, but he accepted my choice graciously!

As I slid into my car, a wave of relief washed over me, and I drove off, consciously taking the more extended route home to ensure he wasn't following me. When reflecting on our date the next day, I calmly called him and said, "I don't wish to see you again. You were an embarrassment!" He reacted strongly, yelling and hurling insults my way, which led me to hang up, block, and delete his number.  

Looking back, I see more apparent signs I could have noticed earlier. For instance, when he didn't return my calls or greeted me with an irritated tone about being a few minutes late. During dinner, when the call took a turn for the worse, I should have walked out instead of heading toward the restroom.

That date was undoubtedly one of my most challenging experiences, but it was a valuable lesson. I learned how to recognize red flags in relationships. Shortly after that rocky encounter, I ventured into online dating and was fortunate enough to meet the love of my life. We've been happily together for the past ten years! Life has a beautiful way of turning things around.