Big Mack

My first Match.com coffee date was with Mack. Mack is 34 years old, stands a handsome 6’4” (yeehaw!), and works as a producer and struggling actor. Of course the struggling actor part I didn’t hear about until late into our coffee date. Overall, a very nice two hour conversation that went nowhere because we ultimately both concluded that although we had a great time chatting, we live too far apart. Shit, we could have figured that out before even emailing each other. Maybe that was a back-pocket excuse for a lack of instantaneous heart melt. I would happily see him again, the next time he comes down to my turf. Ho-hum. This Raggedy Ann doesn’t have time for raggedy tires quite yet.

Awkward moments:

1. The first greeting.
   I met him at his car. Knew it was him because there was a bike on the roof, and I recognized him from his profile picture. The odd thing about online dating is you actually know someone more than you should because of what they reveal in their profile and your email conversations. So I think Mack might have been anticipating a hug. Apparently I don’t hug strangers, because I dodged that bullet and felt weird immediately.



2. Opening the door.
   We headed to the coffee shop’s door and there it was… that awkward moment where I reached for the door to let myself in, and he might have tried to open the door for me to be chivalrous… but I blew it. Like a woman on a mission I charged right in. Maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly because of the hug-dodging.



3. Paying for coffee.
   To make any attempt by him of being chivalrous worse… I accidentally ended up buying our coffees (teas, actually, but who cares). It really was an accident. I gave the coffee shop my frequent buyer discount card, and at that point Mark thanked me – like he assumed I had paid. So then I did give the cashier cash, it registered with Mark that I hadn’t paid yet, and I tried to mumble something about he paid for gas so I would happily pay for coffee. Ugh. I definitely didn’t mind paying but it wasn’t smooth, as you can tell.



4. Saying goodbye.
   All in all I thought we had an interesting and engaging two hour conversation. We talked a ton about our work and active lifestyles. So much, in fact, that it occurred to both of us that neither of us have that much free time, and definitely not enough free time to drive back and forth for 30 miles on the 405. We left it as a reciprocating, “if you’re ever around my town again, look me up.” And then there was awkward hug moment #2. This time I caved in and happily laid one on him. It was the uncomfortable, one-arm-over one-arm-under hug. I hate those.

Overall, I thought Mack was great, and I am more than relieved that my first Match.com date was with an obviously nice guy. Hope I can find more of those, and maybe some that live closer.