Kind eyes, natural smiles

I’d given up on dating, given up altogether really, weeks of lockdown working and self-improvement which had now given way to a feeling of light despair and acceptance of my fate. The peak had been passed and eventually things, I guessed would go back to normal. 

I didn’t know there was someone waiting in the wings, someone with the virus who’s busy lifestyle had just been decelerated, who was now forced to take stock.

I told myself off and started on my self-improvement again, I felt good about myself so.. decided to roll the dice one more time. I reactivated my Bumble account, wrote a dead honest profile and decided to see if lockdown dating was even possible. 

Virtual shopping for a date is just the hardest.. on what basis do I reject all these probably fantastic women who like me had just survived a long ordeal – solo. I had a lot of interest, it seemed like everyone was thinking the same way and I’d paid so I could see who they were rather than just seeing a bunch of blocky pixels. 
She hadn’t though, she had a free account and while in bed – but recovering, swiped on me but nothing.. a week went by.

Kind eyes, that’s it I’ll select all potential matches who have kind eyes. I even remember using my hand to cover faces while I checked. Now natural smiles ill select all those too. Now the hardest, finding someone with the right level of attractiveness but not too beautiful. What? no, if lockdown self-love had taught me anything it was that I should go for what I really wanted – what I deserved. 

She is a stunning Brazilian designer, I clicked to complete the match and was proud of myself for choosing someone special – let’s see... no answer.. 24 hrs the clock ran down before she would (on this app) disappear forever. I didn’t know she was still sick and had slipped back into fever again but I clicked to offer her another 24 hrs extension - nothing. 

Out of the blue, she chimed in ”sorry been sick recently and didn’t see, thanks for the extend! .. I've had a fever and not being paying attention the app” wow, she sounded completely normal, this is good and off we went. We messaged every night for over a week, found a lot in common and then I asked her out. 

We couldn't meet up physically so we did it virtually. We invented a restaurant in the highlands called ’The Golden Haggis’ and later made up a back story as to how we met there as climbers. When we met the background to the video messaging app was the Scottish highlands which set the mood. We invented a simple menu which we both cooked and in the candlelight we laughed, shared and made each other presents. 

Three dates in and something obvious was lacking – we needed to meet who we’d been really talking to. Was this a joint fantasy? Would all these words actually mean anything in real life? How would we meet and would we distance? 

The place was Greenwich at the Cutty Sark ship on a Saturday afternoon in June. We sent our live locations to each other and started approaching from two different sides of the ship looking for each other as our icons got closer. I caught a glimpse and noticed her real height something which had been irrelevant online and smiled in recognition. It was like being in a movie. We saw and approached each other not slowing, both excited, nervous and expectant, both with shy smiles. We were going to have to stop or collide. We embraced though and then she nuzzled into my neck and kissed it – we stood there holding each other and the questions were answered.

What's followed is two months of laughter, passion, sharing and connecting. We still talk every night, sometimes in person or count the sleeps until we meet again. Now she has a toothbrush at mine and I at hers.