Dream Date

She stood at the door, a beautiful wood carved door that reminded her of the old homes in New York. But this was not New York. This was Arizona, with the front yard spotted with purple prickly pear, handsome succulents, colorful flowers on the Argentine Saguaro and beautiful red bougainvillea just like she had in the bungalow she grew up in India.

With mild trepidation, she extended her arm to press the door bell. One final look at herself to make sure she looked okay. She had not slept the whole night. First time meeting a man she had been speaking to for a few months on a dating site. That was a little nerve racking. She was not afraid at all. She had good intuition and was a good judge of people. Despite others' misgivings, she had full trust in him and drove a long way to meet him at his home.

They had talked for hours and hours on phone with some rare video chats. They were very comfortable with each other even though they were so different in many ways. She, the spontaneous, vibrant, passionate personality brought up in upper middle class progressive family in India, with moral values that were Eastern and a deep loving, giving heart. He a third generation Hispanic, a true American and a New Yorker like her but in Arizona for 23 years. Suave, well mannered, calm by nature, a perfect gentleman. Both intelligent, educated in true sense, good conversationalists with a great sense of humor. Both felt they were already in love just waiting for the first date to meet in person.

So there she was, at the doorstep for that first date. Dressed in well fitted jeans, boots, a halter top with light jacket, shoulder length dark hair not well manicured and the lipstick being her only color in make up free face. "Hope he likes me", she thought.

Before she could ring the bell, he opened the door with a bright smile in the face she already had begun to love, saying " Come on in." With no awkwardness he gave her a welcoming hug, keeping to himself the passion he felt. Many dates later, he told her that his first thought was "Wow, She is gorgeous, I am a lucky man!" For now, he was the perfect host.

He took her jacket and gave a tour of his beautiful house which he had made into a warm loving home. She was impressed but not surprised. She knew him well. He was a caring, loving homemaker as well as a professional, just like she was. That's what attracted them to each other.

Holding her hand lovingly, he led her to the backyard. They sat by the pool which was serene and lovely, just the way they felt. He brought out a board with assortment of gourmet cheese, crackers, fruits and with her permission poured two pretty glasses of red wine. She did not know much about wine and he was a connoisseur. Sophisticated in taste, classy in lifestyle, he explained that this was Merlot and showed her the wine cellar. While learning about the wine's merits and absorbing the information, she looked at him adoringly and thanked God for this man. Everything she could have dreamed of and more!

He picked up his guitar and sang songs while they enjoyed the wine and food. He looked into her eyes, held her gently and said the pictures on E Harmony did no justice to her beauty in person.

That first date was the best and last first date for both of them.

They got engaged in a few months, married in a year and their first date remained the dream date of their lives forever.