A recent blind date at Mamma Luca, an Italian restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, brought together two singles, Jeremiah P., 42, an antiques business owner, and Victoria D., 35, a financial services analyst. Their encounter led to an evening filled with humor and candid conversation, despite initial reservations about the dating format.
First Impressions Shape the Evening
Jeremiah arrived with a sense of anticipation, having watched episodes of *The Office* to prepare himself for the social dynamics of the evening. “I had a Mary Katherine Gallagher moment as I was sitting in my truck, trying to psych myself up with some ‘Free Bird’ on the radio,” he shared. Victoria, on the other hand, expressed uncertainty about dating apps, stating, “Nobody seems to take those seriously nowadays.”
Their meeting began with a mix of nerves and excitement. Victoria noted how she arrived first and settled into the restaurant, while Jeremiah found himself pleasantly surprised by her radiant smile and youthful appearance. “She has such an incredible smile, beautiful eyes, and barely looks a day over 25,” he commented. Despite her initial doubts about their compatibility, Victoria was intrigued by Jeremiah, though she noted his casual attire—a big Carhartt coat—did not align with the restaurant’s ambiance.
Shared Interests and Lighthearted Banter
As the evening progressed, both participants moved beyond the typical introductory questions. Jeremiah remarked, “We quickly got beyond the ‘Have you ever been married?’ type of questions.” Their conversation touched on more personal topics, revealing shared values about family and life experiences.
Victoria noted their mutual love for travel, which sparked discussions about future trips and adventures. “He had also recently joined a pottery studio, and I enjoy doing arts and crafts as well,” she added, highlighting a point of connection. Their meal featured shared appetizers, including fancy mozzarella sticks and a Margherita pizza, followed by Jeremiah’s choice of delicious gnocchi and Victoria’s Bolognese.
The atmosphere was relaxed, and both found it easy to talk to one another throughout dinner. However, as the night drew to a close, the chemistry they hoped for seemed absent. Jeremiah sensed a difference in connection, stating, “I didn’t get the sense that she was feeling chemistry.” Victoria confirmed this feeling, adding, “I went in open-minded, but he wasn’t my type.”
Despite the lack of romantic spark, both expressed enjoyment of each other’s company. Jeremiah offered to extend the evening, suggesting they visit another location, but opted to leave it at a friendly goodbye after walking her to her car.
In their final assessments, Jeremiah rated the evening a B+, while Victoria gave it a C. Following their meeting, Jeremiah expressed a desire to see Victoria again, even as friends, while Victoria concluded that they did not have enough in common to pursue a deeper connection.
The blind date was organized as part of a larger initiative by the Boston Globe, encouraging singles to take part in similar events. Those interested can apply for a blind date through the publication’s website, bostonglobe.com/cupid.
