After a slew of bad dates, I was beginning to lose hope completely that there was anyone worth the monthly subscription fee. Until…

I made plans to meet Justin at an Ethiopian restaurant on the UWS this past Monday night. Accustomed to disappointment, I waited at our table for a less attractive version of his profile pic to shuffle toward me. It didn’t happen. Instead an adonis, with amazing bone-structure and perfect teeth confidently sat down across from me. I was not prepared for this! I leaned in and shook his hand nervously. Then the date began.

Justin was amazing! He is in medical school at Columbia, so super smart. He also volunteers every week at an animal shelter near his campus! To top it all off he is funny, thoughtful, and seemingly interested in what I had to say. For the first time in a while I actually cared how I came across and what he thought of me.

For any of you who haven’t had Ethiopian, it can be difficult to eat on a first date. Instead of utensils, you use your hands. This could have proven disastrous if I’d been with, say, the vampire guy, but with Justin it was a humorous and fun time. After dinner, he suggested we grab a beer at a bar a few blocks down (that’s when I knew he and I were on the same page in terms of date enjoyment).

More fun times were had at an Irish pub and, after 2 drinks, we parted ways. We both said we’d had a lot of fun. Justin told me I’d been his first Match date and that he was, “pleasantly surprised.” On my way home I could not stop smiling and reliving moments of the evening.

That brings me to this morning… I know. Way too early to be obsessing over a guy. But I haven’t heard from Justin yet! I’m contemplating sending him an email later today to see if he wants to hang out agin. I think someone needs to talk me out of it!