By Ericka Alston Buck,
Special to the AFRO
This week, we’ll talk about how to go from online courting to a phone call to meeting in person and writing the dotted line that removes you off the market!
As we covered last week, it all starts with your biography. What exactly are you saying? What are you displaying? Are you being genuine? Or are you playing a game?
Is it frightening to plunge back into the dating pool? Absolutely! There are still a lot of people in the game, and those of us who are serious about finding our individual this year must navigate the good, bad, and ugly of making ourselves available to be discovered.
Never quit up. There is still hope for those of us who are presently “Single In The City!” We declared last month that 2023 would deliver a “New Year! New Year, New You! “Boo, new!” I’m happy to report that he discovered me!
How did I come across him? How did I know he was the one for me, and how did he know I was the one for him?
We both knew exactly what we were searching for. We had both established our limits and non-negotiables. Most significantly, our vices are compatible.
Vices? He, like me, is a people person. I’ll always prefer a spot at the bar to a table. He feels the same way.
He, like me, frequents our casinos.
He loves specialty cocktails, as do I!
His child is 19, and mine is 19, so both of our homes are vacant!
He is dead set on getting out of this awful social field, and so am I.
My first contact with him was a very enthusiastic message in which he stated that he had been waiting for me to match with him. We met through Facebook matchmaking.
That was extremely nice.
We talked.
We swapped phone numbers.
He promptly invited me out.
We scheduled our first meeting.
He arrived bearing flowers.
He came to my workplace and fetched me up.
Our first meeting lasted five hours.
Our second date was the following day, our third date was the following day, our fourth date was the following day, and our fifth date was the following day.
We are deliberate in our hopes, wishes, dreams, aims, and aspirations. Finding your individual is simply about finding someone who sees you – faults and all – and still thinks you’re ideal for them.
Finding someone who creates time for you rather than someone who makes reasons for why they can’t. As clichéd as “Good Morning Beautiful” text texts may be, they are an accurate reflection of your prospective boo’s first thought when they awoke.
I’m willing to be honest, accessible, and completely vulnerable to see where this goes. He and I have formed a deliberate and strategic alliance with each other, guided by our emotions rather than the expectations of others, and we are eager to embark on this adventure together. I’ll keep you updated. Today, there aren’t many solitary people in this metropolis. Have I found my match? We’ll see…
Dating rating
Keystone Korner Jazz Restaurant and Bar 4 out of 5 ★★★★☆
I had six amazing encounters with the same incredible man this week! I’m looking forward to days seven through one thousand. It was challenging to choose just one date with him to share with you, so I selected date number two because it was spontaneous and perfect. Remember that not every meeting has to be a full-fledged show. Great encounters necessitate an expenditure of time, thought, effort, and energy.
He wanted to shake things up a little on our second date because we had a sit-down dinner the night before and asked if I wanted to go out to play pool. Yes! I hadn’t done that in a long time, and I adore it when guys experiment with their relationship options. SOLD!
Playing pool at the end of a lengthy work day wasn’t my first choice as the day continued, but I had already committed and didn’t want to inconvenience him with a last-minute change in plans.
However, I did search the internet for a more discreet encounter. I discovered Keystone Korner Jazz Restaurant & Bar by chance and kept it to myself.
He picked me up from my workplace, opened my car door, and slipped into the passenger seat with flowers for me. We started driving to Harbor East to play billiards, and as we approached Keystone Korner, he inquired if I had ever been there. I told him the cuisine was fantastic, that I’d been there twice before, and that he’d enjoy it.
I quickly scrolled through my phone to see who was performing and bought two seats for us in the front row. We were brought to a booth directly in front of the stage. The best unexpected date in a long time.
Cocktails: I had the Blues Margarita and he had an Old Fashioned. He wanted Knob Hill, which they did not have, so he settled for Bulliet. The beverages were excellent!
Appetizers: If you explore Keystone, you must try the Charbroiled Oysters. We wound up getting a second serving. We also had the Ultimate Deviled Eggs, which were his first taste of quail eggs. He’s now a devotee.
Entrees: My option was the chef’s special, pan seared fish with green asparagus and roasted potatoes. My companion chose the white fish, which came with garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables. Because we misunderstood the menu, his fish was beer-battered and fried. As he started to order another dish, I realized that my amount was large enough to split, so we boxed the fried bass.
Ambiance: The G. Thomas Allen Quintet was performing, and the main singer is a Morgan alum, so the Bears came out to show their support. The illumination was ideal. From start to end, the show was entertaining. Even though tables were shared, the experience was very friendly and private.
Service: It could have been better, particularly given the 18% gratuity added to each balance.
Our server was sluggish and inattentive, and we had to search for her on several occasions.
Ability to have a conversation: I wouldn’t suggest Keystone for a night where you want to talk and get to know each other better. It is impolite to talk during a jazz concert. So we had to make do with murmurs and grins.
Definitely an excellent location for a second or third engagement night for existing pairs.
We’ve lost track of which date it is because we’ve seen each other every day since our first meeting. Those of you who have been paying attention, I warned you! Happy New Year. New Boo, New You!