If you are single like me, sometimes you are willing to do anything to get a date or meet new people. Some choose to use Tinder and “swipe right” every time they see a photo of someone who does not seem too creepy and is decently attractive. A few dreamers audition for the Bachelor or Bachelorette, hoping to meet someone as sweet and good looking as Ben or Jojo. Others start worrying that they are “perpetually single” and join eHarmony, Christian Mingle, or (my personal favorite) Farmer’s Only.
The more adventurous of us may decide to go on a "blind date" with a mysterious person we've just met.
My strange “blind date” story begins a few months ago when I woke up late one Saturday afternoon after a busy school week. All of my roommates had left to go home that weekend, and after a few hours of trying to entertain myself I was bored and lonely.
When most college students get bored, they start binge-watching Netflix or text their friends. I decided to go on a 2-hour road trip to my favorite southern city, Asheville, North Carolina.
After arriving in Asheville and walking by a few groups of hipsters, I entered my favorite bookstore. After spending a few hours drinking coffee and skimming dozens of books, I walked out of the bookstore around 8 pm still feeling as drained and lonely as when I had left Clemson.
Out of nowhere, while I was standing in the middle of a dark street, I heard a man’s voice.
“Hi! I’m Ben!”
I turned around slowly and saw a mysterious guy walking towards me.
Once he was illuminated by the light of a street lamp, he looked like a normal, decent guy. He was clean shaven and well dressed and had a nice smile and kind eyes. I initially got a “good vibe” from him.
It had been a long day and I really wanted someone to talk to (even if that person was a complete stranger), so after introducing myself, he and I decided to go get dessert and coffee at a local restaurant.
As we began walking to the Chocolate Lounge (a dessert restaurant so good it needs to be featured on a Food Network show), I kept my eye out for anything suspicious. I pride myself on being a pretty good judge of people’s character and was soon reassured this random guy was just a slightly nerdy engineering student looking for a friend. Ben did not lead me down any dark alleyways, say anything questionable, or do anything that made me uncomfortable.
Once we got in line at the restaurant and we saw each other in better lighting, I’m surprised he did not change his mind about eating with me. I was wearing an oversized sweatshirt and no makeup, and my messy hair was partially hidden by a baseball cap.
Even though I was not “dressed to impress,” he still bought one of almost every dessert sold in the store (probably spending half of his engineering internship paycheck in the process). We sat down to eat and talk about sports, his fraternity adventures, and the upcoming event I was planning for my sorority.
After a couple hours of small talk and laughter, I politely reminded him that it was late and I still had to drive back to Clemson that night.
Before we parted ways he asked for my number in the nerdiest way possible. He knew I loved to read and wanted my number so he could send me the title and author of his favorite book. I gave him my phone number, but never did reply to any of the texts he sent me later on. (If you are reading this Ben, please forgive me. It's me not you.)
I do not remember much about what Ben and I talked about, but there is one key thing he said that I thought about the entire car ride back to Clemson and still reflect on today.
Right after we met and started walking to the Chocolate Lounge, Ben admitted he understood how awkward our “blind date” situation was. He told me the reason he had asked a perfect stranger to have dessert with him was because a random elderly couple had reached out to and dined with him in Asheville a few weeks earlier. He had been inspired by the couple’s willingness to step out of their comfort zone and befriend, encourage, and get to know those around them.
The next time you are sitting next to a stranger in an airplane, church, or classroom, standing in a long line of people at the grocery store, or exploring a cool city like Asheville, do not be afraid to reach out to those around you. You never know who you might meet. You might make a new friend, cause someone to smile and laugh on a hard day, or find yourself going on a date with someone you just met.
