Dating Diaries: My blind date went great. It was with my cousin
the daters: Anastasia and David
Anastasia says: “When I met David I was single for about a year and a half. I was just getting back to myself after a rough breakup. Anastasia says: “I am looking for someone who cares about the world and is busy with his own life. Someone who has an energy and a vibration to them. I’ve been told I’m “a lot,” and to me that means I need someone who’s on the same level — 54 milligrams of Concerta to be specific — or someone who’s at least on board, because I’m passionate about am everything.” She adds, “A sense of humor and a positive attitude are important to me. Oh, and someone who shares my political views. I don’t sleep next to a man who votes conservative. Period.”
How we met: Through a mutual friend
Where we went: A cafe
I had been complaining to a friend about the state of my dating life. I had just gotten out of a “are we or aren’t we” situation, which wasn’t the same as breaking up, but it was frustrating.
I also have a really hard time with dating apps. I end up matching with horrible people, then get frustrated and log out for weeks. I mean, I read someone’s profile and I don’t feel it at all, but then I think, what if he’s nice to his mom? Or maybe he’s funny? Or maybe he’s holding a sea bass in every photo because he works for conservation? I just really enjoy meeting people in real life.
“I thought, okay, do it for the plot”
While I was complaining about all this, my friend’s face suddenly lit up and she said, “I have someone for you! You must meet! You are actually the same person!” She wanted to set me up with a friend of hers, David, on a blind date. She was tenacious.
I thought, OK, do it for the plot – go on the date! My friend gave David my number and we agreed to meet after work the following week at a casual downtown pub close to my office. It was the right vibe for a blind date, I guess. Open, bright, busy and close to transit for an easy outing.
“I went in with some fun, anticipatory energy”
David and I only chatted a bit via text beforehand, but this was my first blind date, so I went in with some fun, anticipatory energy. To be honest, I was really looking forward to it. I shaved my legs!
I arrived at the pub about 30 minutes before I was supposed to meet David, using the date as an excuse to leave work early. I sat down at the bar and ordered a pint. I was chatting with the bartender when my cousin walked in. We hadn’t seen each other in a while so I asked him to come along while I waited for my date. We’re not particularly close, but I was happy to see and catch up with him.
I realized my date was late and I told my cousin I thought I was in trouble. I started talking about how my girlfriend set me up with her girlfriend, and how ridiculous it was that I was stopped by someone who was actually hand-picked for me. And then he spit. I mean, not really, but if you’ve ever seen someone realize they’re on a date with their cousin, he did.
“My cousin, David, was also my blind date, David”
We realized at the same time what was going on. My cousin, David, was also my blind date, David. My date wasn’t late after all!
It was just horrible. And what was even more embarrassing was that we had a great time! Great conversation, lots of laughs, shared lived experience. Just – thankfully – no romantic connection. So one of the best “dates” I’ve ever had was with a damn relative! It doesn’t bode well for the future of my dating life.
“We actually knew each other forever”
Needless to say, we had a huge laugh at the situation. Highlights included telling the bartender what happened and him composing our drinks, and David and I getting our friend on FaceTime to tell her how we were really doing and it was like we’d known each other forever. She was so excited for us that I almost felt bad when we had to tell her that we had, in fact, known each other for a long time.
The story instantly became a piece of family lore and led to comments like “Oh, you don’t hang out with anyone? Do you want my ancestors. com sign in?”
Anastasia rates her date (out of 10): 1
