The Dream Date Project

Deirdre didn’t date. She was, she supposed, what some described as a serial monogamist. She had been married to Derek for 13 years...a starter marriage would probably be the right term. Both parties had been testing out what they wanted in a marriage, and it turned out to not be each other. That probably happened because she didn’t date... not that she realised it at the time, she just saw Derek ticking most boxes... so he’d be the one.

ALONE AGAIN

Once she got her equilibrium back, she still didn’t want to date but neither did she want to be on her own. That year she went on the grand total of one date.. with a one armed New Zealander. He was a lovely person and she felt sad for him, he’d lost his limb in an accident. However feeling sad for someone isn’t a good basis for a connection and she couldn’t wait for the night to be over and to never see him again.

FEAR

Her friend Jeannie despaired. She knew what it was to have a rocky dating life... but at least she put herself out there. She came up with a plan to get Deirdre to take a risk..and actually enjoying the experience! She knew she was going to be met with massive resistance... but she was going to try and dress it up in a way that would be palatable to her intractable pal.

SERENDIPITY

As luck would have it she’d spotted some flyers in her local bottle shop for “ Bright Cellars winery speed dating tours”. This was the Universe being supportive of her plan because if there was one area in which Deirdre considered herself to be an aficionado it was wine. She could pick the best wines for particular meals, and could describe the qualities of different wines in both a practical, helpful way ... as well as crafting a lovingly poetic description... this, Jeannie felt, would be her way in....

PLAN

That evening the two women had agreed to meet at Cafe St Angelo a wine bar on the Southside of the city. Jeannie was both braced for hearing a long self pity fest... and to cleverly introduce the speed dating without actually emphasising the dating bit. There was “no such thing” as a dream date according to Deirdre.

Placing her thumb strategically as she passed over the flyer, Jeannie further distracted Deirdre by catching they eye of the waiter sashaying by ... “Um could we have 2 glasses of red please?” “Oh for goodness sake Jeannie”, a distracted Deirdre barked.. 2 Glasses of Margaret River Cabernet Merlot.. thank you!” Looks like I will have to come with you on this tour.. or you are going to get nothing out of it...”

One week Later...

Realisation had dawned for Deirdre that there was indeed more than wine tasting to this tour. Their fellow passengers in the mini bus gave it away. At least half of the passengers were men who had scrubbed up to their best looking selves. There wasn’t anything she could do about it now.

She stood close to the bar and as far away from the twee little tables that had been set up for the speed dating as she could get without leaving the room. Jeannie had abandoned her, as she had always intended to fully embrace the experience.

“Excuse me, miss, are you going to take up your place there’s a gap at that table there”. Deirdre looked up and found herself staring into the eyes of an earnest moon faced young man.

“I er, um would like to order a glass of Merlot..so if you’ll excuse me I’ll just head to the bar”.

“Oh”,moon face said, allow me to get that for you... are you interested in the Protero Gumeratcho, that’s an Australian one, or perhaps the Stags leap?” Deirdre look quizzically at the guy, was he here for the wine tasting experience too... and opting out of the cattle market?

Two and a half hours later

Martin, for that was his name...had managed to get Deirdre’s attention in a way that no one else had for more than a decade. His lilting voice and calm demeanour shone through, his enthusiasm and his knowledgeability... had Deirdre feeling that she known him forever.

Jeannie watched in from a safe vantage point... a smile played about her lips, she’d given up hope for herself tonight, but really she didn’t care this time..seeing Deirdre lit up like a Christmas tree... relaxed, happy swirling her glass of Merlot like a cat with cream.. clearly having a date from Heaven..compensated her for not having a dream date.... this time.

Deirdre didn’t realise it but she was experiencing that dream date.. energy flowed between her and Martin, whether it was a past life connection or just the warm glow of the Merlot... Deirdre felt, actually she KNEW she’d be happy to go on dating this quiet man. It had been a long time coming. She was almost teary with happiness as she raised her glass one more time.