Blind date: ‘I studied Mandarin Chinese in college. He smiled and immediately responded in Chinese.'

GRETCHEN F.:
26 / data scientist
What makes her a catch:
She thinks about others a lot and values relationships.
Her interests:
Reading, running
7 P.M. KRASI, BOSTON
Lots of Laughs
Aldis
I arrived early. I reviewed the wine list awkwardly and tried not to look expectant.
Gretchen
He was sitting in the restaurant as I walked in. He was very handsome and well dressed in a baby-blue pinstripe button-down and khakis.
Aldis
I remember thinking she was beautiful even before it was clear that she was actually my date. She was wearing a blue dress and had a beautiful smile. I botched the greeting and did this weird handshake-hug-handshake movement that she gracefully turned into a hug.
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Gretchen
I mistakenly reached out for a handshake then converted it to a hug, which made us both laugh. Aldis asked if I had been to Krasi before. We laughed when we realized that both of us had requested it — he had been there before, and my friends had recommended it — for our dinner.
Greek to Mandarin
Aldis
From the first moment, there was not a single lull in conversation.
Gretchen
We talked about his residency program, which launched us into conversations about our ties to the medical world. At some point, we moved on to running. I found it particularly interesting that we both run as a way to release energy and are not very interested in racing, unique in the distance running world.
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Aldis
We were there for two hours and talked nonstop. We shared a lot of interests. We both run, are early birds, and carry a book wherever we go.
Gretchen
I mentioned that I studied Mandarin Chinese in college. He smiled and immediately responded in Chinese. I tried to keep up, but he definitely has a better command of the language than I do. I was shocked we had this in common.
Aldis
She was a great listener and there was a lot of laughter. I realized I had a crush on her pretty early on.
Gretchen
What was surprisingly most attractive was how he lit up when he talked about his family and friends. He seemed to really care about other people, something I really value.
Aldis
We had the Robola white wine. Appetizers included charred eggplant, asparagus, and chickpea fritters. We had a delicious fish dish, as well as souvla — probably my favorite.
Gretchen
I had never before tasted anything like any of the dishes [we had] and was so impressed. We wrapped up with the rice pudding.
In Agreement
Aldis
The waiter floated the idea of going to a speakeasy nearby, but we are both early birds and had work the next day.
Gretchen
The time passed so quickly, I couldn't believe that it had been over two hours.
Aldis
We exchanged numbers. I did ask if she would want to meet up for another date and she said yes.
Gretchen
We hugged and parted ways.
Second Date?
Aldis
That's the plan!
Gretchen
I would love to continue our conversations and see what else we may have in common.
Grading the Date
Aldis / A
Gretchen / B+
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