Keeping your eyes on the prize

One question I am consistently asked on this dating quest: have you and Looking for a Spark [LFAS] ever dated the same guy? The answer is no…but we’ve certainly talked about it! There is one guy, in particular, who makes me think of this potential situation: the optometrist.

Let’s take it back—

Almost year ago, he invited me to an amazing dinner at a scrumptious restaurant (Ray’s Boathouse). He was good company (despite having told me that something was "off" about my eyes), and we were thinking of going somewhere else afterwards. But messages crossed and it didn’t work out.

Date number two: we met at an Asian place (Indochine) somewhere midway between our respective residences. The food was alright, and, being in a period of transition with his job, he talked much more about his daily stressors than I felt comfortable hearing on the second date! I had had a rough week as well, but I just listened and listened. He never once asked me how things were going (though, truth be told, I don’t know how much I would have divulged on the 2nd date, anyway).

A couple weeks later, it was my birthday, and he insisted on cooking me dinner. Driving all the way out to where he lived, however, quickly convinced me that something long-term would not work out…especially while I was in school! Had we connected more, I might have been willing to take on that sacrifice of distance. At the end of the night, however, I realized that it would be our final date.

And fast-forward—

At the end of each academic quarter, my amazing nursing cohort unites for a celebration of accomplishments and (fleeting) freedom. The last one was at a classmate’s family’s gorgeous lake house. The party was phenomenal, complete with paddleboarding, chocolate fountains, and amazing company. Of course, before long, pictures erupted on facebook, highlighting the good times enjoyed by all.

As there were uncountable pictures of cute girls in bikinis, I have no doubt that they got a lot of facebook traffic. It so happens, however, that the optometrist is still one of my facebook friends. And, so, after not having heard from him in about half a year, I received a facebook message:

Hi,
So, I know things didn’t work out with us, but how about that girl, [LFAS], who I saw pictures of on facebook. Is she single? She’s really cute and it’d be great if you could work something out!
Thanks!

Uh…first of all, no, she wasn’t single. And second of all, is that even allowed?! Can you really ask someone you dated, to hook you up with their friend?? Granted, we never kissed or anything…but still!

While it’s the principle of the matter that bothers me, the truth is that I wouldn’t really mind playing matchmaker for a friend, if I found a guy I thought would be better for her than for me. So, if any single lady-readers decide they have their eyes open for potential dates, I might have an optometrist right up your alley!

Matchmaker Part 3

As planned, we met at the Essential Bakery on a rainy Sunday afternoon. This was probably the "blindest" date I had been on! I heard a little about him from my aunt, who knew his grandparents. But the details were vague (and slightly inaccurate). Of course, I also did some facebook and google research.

As far as I know, he had very limited information on me. Probably even less than I had!

So, I called as I was arriving, and he gave me specific information about where he was sitting in the restaurant. We ordered some lunch and started to chat. As the conversation advanced, I think we both got the sense that we didn't necessarily mesh romantically. I'm not sure if he even realized that it was supposed to be a date--it seemed very platonic.

Final conclusion--we're both very busy with school. I assured him that, if he wanted to do something fun around the Seattle area, I'd be happy to accompany him or give him good ideas. But I felt more like we were cousins than potential sweethearts.

I called my aunt. She was disappointed. But, you can't force love, right?!

Matchmaker Part 2

Some of you loyal readers may recall an entertaining voicemail from my dear, great-aunt. As she commanded, I called him! And it went straight to his voicemail. So, I left an awkward message:

"Hi, my name is.... I got your number from a family member. Please give me a call back at......"

As would be expected, I didn't hear back from him.

My great-aunt called me every couple days, hoping to hear different results. But alas, I always had the same answer for her. Then she started getting serious!

"You need to call him back! You need to tell him about all the things you have in common: you both work in a hospital, you both have traveled, you have family in the same area, you're both just so amazing! You are an assertive person--you just can't take 'no' for an answer!"

Hmm, thanks Auntie, but he might think I'm crazy! I assured her, however, that I would keep trying. I didn't.

Three weeks later, while waiting for a different guy to arrive for a date, my phone started to ring. I looked at the screen and was shocked to see the name! I don't know if my aunt called his grandparents and they decided to take extreme measures, but I got the sense that he knew about the set up!

We talked awkwardly for a few minutes (I'm not a phone person!), and decided to meet up for coffee later in the week!

I called my aunt to report this development and she was more than ecstatic!

How'd the date go? You shall soon find out!

Prince Charming (aka Scrub Guy) Part I

Once upon a time, in a very busy nursing program, a beautiful nurse-to-be ("looking for a spark") set off to find the perfect set of navy blue scrubs. She had to search high and low, but found a store that carried some that fit just right. While at the store, she noticed a potential prince charming. Hard at work, he made sure to check on his lovely clients with regularity. The beautiful nurse-to-be was enamored! She paid her bill, and left blushing. But that was the end. Or so she thought...

(Fast forward one month)

Another amazing nurse-in-training was looking for scrubs and came across the same scrub store! Although married, she thought very highly of this prince charming. After a conversation proving his intelligence, amicability, humor (and, of course, good looks), she decided to go a step further. She mentioned that she had some cute, single nursing student friends with whom she would like to set him up. Would he be willing to provide his contact information? His answer.........? Sure!

So, the following day in class, she approached me, to share the treasure she had obtained. After hearing how she got it, I immediately told "Looking for a Spark." It was just too coincidental! "Meant to be," I thought.

"Looking for a Spark" took one glance at the email address and decided that it could not be! He was too young for her! As he is my age, however, she decided that I should be the one to contact him. And so, I thought about it. And thought about it.... And tucked the slip of paper away.

(Fast forward six months)

I moved into a castle, closer to school. As anyone knows, moving causes you to rustle up a lot of old stuff. And so, I came across a receipt with an email address scribbled on the back. Still single, I decided, "Why not?!" And so, with much trepidation, I composed an email: "I know a lot of time has lapsed, and much may have changed in your life...."

Surprisingly, he wrote back! And was still interested in meeting up! What happened next? Well, you'll have to keep reading the blog to find out....

Matchmaker, matchermaker, make me a match...

I missed a call today and found a rather interesting voice message waiting for me (listen above). Long and short, my great aunt is trying to hook me up with her sister's girlfriend's grandson (and he sounds really "neat")!

The only catch is, I have to contact him and set up a date without alluding to the fact that his grandparents are giving out his number. My aunt suggested that I say a "friend" gave me his number. Huh? Is he not going to wonder who this "friend" is?!

Any suggestions/recommendations on how to proceed are more than welcome! (Reader participation, please!)