RAD: The Cyclist in These Foolish Things

Name: The Cyclist

Introduction Platform: Match. We’d actually matched 122 days ago and finally met today!

Age: 56

Relationship Status: Divorced, 2 daughters (20 and 21, lived with him during pandemic and now both live at their respective universities…and part time with him during summer break)

Job: Consultant for industrial products industry

Lives: In the part of town where I am moving!!

Length of Date: 1.5 hours

We Did: After several cancellations and new plans, we were supposed to meet for coffee and fancy cafe in fancy hotel, but it ended up being completely crowded with some kind of cray 2-hour wait, so we went to the Starbucks Reserve a couple of blocks away.

He Looked: So nice. So very nice. He wore great-fitting dark denim jeans, a tee of some sort under an Italian cycling jacket (how do I know it was Italian? It had a Segafredo logo embroidered on it, haha!), stylish modern loafers, which he pointed out were his favorite shoes but needed to take them in for repairs because he loves them so much, In other words, they were falling apart - but it was so endearing to me because that’s exactly how my favorite boots are - they still look good in that well-worn way.

I Looked: It was raining, but I wanted to put my best foot forward, what with being in the middle of chemo treatment and all. I wanted to make a great first impression. Luckily, I’d gotten a nice haircut on Saturday. I did daytime casual makeup and wore a cute dress made casual with a denim jacket. The dress sort of exposes my port scar, so I was hoping he wouldn’t say anything about it and he didn’t.

Convo: Everything BUT cancer, thankfully! I was thrilled that there was nothing that triggered having to mention anything about what’s going on with me from a health perspective. We had plenty to talk about just as a getting-to-know-you situation. Just like the before times. And I loved it so much.

High Point: He kept pointing out all of the things we have in common - background, moving around a lot, midwestern roots, global travel, etc, etc. Also, he said a few times that he wanted to see me again, and that made me feel really good and hopeful. One more thing: I belly laughed more than once,

Low Point: Didn’t really have a low point. Nothing he said was disappointing. The only sucky part about the date was the rain, but even that moved us a little closer together, inside and warm.

How It Ended: He ended it pretty abruptly at the hour and a half mark. I truly think he wanted to leave me wanting more, and it worked. We walked together to the underground parking lot and hugged goodbye. He told me again that he wanted to see me again soon and asked if I like sushi. I told him that I love sushi and he was like, good - I know a great spot! And I was happy but then remembered that I can’t eat raw fish during chemo treatment (but didn’t say that to him). Just smiled and waved goodbye.

Chances Are: Very good chances. He’s already asked me out for Friday evening. If all goes as planned this week with treatment, I’ll be getting my pump disconnected on Friday afternoon. I will likely not feel great, but I shouldn’t feel too, too bad. Fingers crossed so hard! Oh, and he did ask me to go to a sushi place but I told him that I was on “some medication” that prevents me from eating raw food and that I could go but would have to eat cooked food. He immediately suggested a different restaurant and said, “I just want to see you.”

Date Rating: A+++. He’s 100% my type, attractive, active, funny and ACCOMMODATING! Yay!