I had a mini email conversation with a friend yesterday which reminded me of this silly little dating story. I thought you might enjoy the chuckle.
I used to do the Match.com thing. It just seemed a more comfortable way for me to meet men - I do NOT trust anyone that try's to pick me up in a bar! Anyway, I ended up corresponding with a guy that seemed pretty cool and we decided to meet for drinks one night after work.
Now, I probably should explain, my friends are VERY protective of me. And that is in no way shape or form an understatement. My friends are my family of choice and we look after each other in a way reminisant of mama bears and their cubs. The majority of these friends also did not approve of the whole "computer dating" thing.
So......I didn't tell them right away what was going on. I figured I'd save us all the aggrivation of the situation. I show up for work the day of the big Meet and Greet dressed a little "different" than normal for a day in the office. J immediately picked up that something was going on. After a few hours of constant and intensly focused questions I broke (yet another reason I wouldn't cut it in the CIA). I 'fessed up to the date and even mentioned the location.
She immediately contacted Papa Bear M and a plan was hatched. They would be at the bar (with Miss T in tow) at least an hour prior to the meeting. They would stay out of the way, but would observe "just in case".
Please keep in mind folks - I don't usually have much of an issue with taking care of myself - but it is kinda cute to think they were there to protect me!
So....everything goes as planned. I arrive at the appointed time, and of course there they are at the other end of the bar. We pretend not to know each other - as this was HIS turf and we were deep undercover.
My date arrives - (about 20 mins late) and we order and begin talking. I realize pretty quickly that this wasn't going to work. No, not so much. But there was no way for them to overhear or know what was going on.
He has to use the gentleman's room. M realizes what is going on, J tells him to get in there and keep an eye on him. To hear M tell it - he took one for the team that day. He followed my date into the bathroom. Not for any other reason than to see if the dude had enough class that he washed his hands after he was done (don't ask, but it's a pet peeve of ours). OK - dude passes the test. BUT....standing at the sink he begins a conversation with this "Stranger" about his date - saying things that almost got him a bloody nose. (I'm told I would be flattered in a perverted, sick sort of way.)
Anyway - date ends, we all leave and our group meets up at OUR favorite place to debrief. We all agreed this one wasn't gonna fly.
But I just thought it was hysterical that they would go to all that trouble, just to make sure I had a good date.
Hmmmm...I have very good friends.
Posted by Tammi at September 21, 2004 10:45 AMIt made me laugh again. Your friends sound like they care very much about you. They're a nice family to have.
Posted by: michele at September 21, 2004 11:32 AMI think my sister did something similar. I'll have to ask her! I read this and think, "I am so happy I'm married and don't have to date anymore." I thought dating was stressful.
Posted by: Boudicca at September 21, 2004 11:47 AMYou do have good friends, and I'm glad they are there to watch out for you, even if you don't need watching out for!
Posted by: beth at September 21, 2004 12:11 PMYes, you do have good friends, and they are the family that one chooses for oneself. Hmmmm. Don't feel quite so bad about my perverted thoughts now... *G*
Posted by: Laughing Wolf at September 21, 2004 01:04 PMYou are blessed.
It's a wonderful feeling to know that you have caring friends.
And we won't even go into what the remaining members of your other "family" have stated they will do to certain individuals who are complete idiots to break and dent your heart.
You and I have had this discussion...I look forward to the day that I can show up on someone's doorstep and "introduce" myself and darling hubby. Then we'll let the line behind me follow in and proceed with whats left.
Who says sloppy seconds aren't fun?!
Posted by: Lee Ann at September 21, 2004 04:18 PMGlad you have Family to watch over you. My friend Steve dated 3 times through a service. Actually ended up marrying the last one and they now have a child. Happily married. So it can work out via the dating services. Good luck!
Posted by: vw bug at September 21, 2004 05:56 PMYes, you are blessed to have friends that care so much! What a wonderful thing. And I must say I am very happy I'm married and don't have to date! I don't think I'd be able to make myself go through it... *grin*
Posted by: Teresa at September 21, 2004 09:44 PMBad dating story...Meet CPA at local hoe down joint. He seems very nice but out of place. Eager to learn how to do the dances. Ask me for date. Sure I say.
Next evening he comes to pick me up. Asks me to drive (says he doesn't know his way to resteraunt). Walk to parking lot. Asks me to drive in my car (now I am very wondering; fortunately I had roommate who knew where I was going). STrike one. But I shrug. What the hell. I'm liberated.
Get to restraunt. usually ask the guy what he thinks is good on the menu to see what he will order (get price range; only order steak and lobster if the guy is complete asshole BEFORE we get to restraunt). he says he will be having an appetizer (no qualifier like "I had a big lunch"). Strike 2. Proceed to have conversation about family and such. He lives with parents (he is 32). He has lived there and never moved out. STrike 3. Says he lives in apartment above parents home (ok, maybe it was just a foul ball). No, his mom does his laundry. She likes to do stuff for him. (no...it was definitely a strike). I ordered a salad because I could tell the date was not going so good (imagine).
He is looking at his watch several times while eating. Strike four (is that possible?). I ask him if he needs to go? He replies that he told his mom he would stop at the store and get sweet n lo before he went home and he needs to walk the dog (sweet but weird). What kind of dog? Not his dog. His mom's poodle. STRIKE 5!
I'm done. Let's go. I'll drop you off at the car. (no kissing). Call ya' sometime. Buh-Bye!
Posted by: kat-missouri at September 21, 2004 11:41 PMKat - YEEP! I just don't understand the whole mamma's-boy thing. The only thing that kept me in the house after HS graduation was that I signed up with the Navy via the Delayed Entry Program & my entry date wasn't until November.
Tammi - you should hear what *I* say about you in the bathroom. You'd either blush or slap me or give me a big wet kiss.
Possibly all 3 ;-)
Posted by: Harvey at September 22, 2004 09:45 AM