A blind date at Mamma Luca in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, led to an evening filled with laughter, reflection, and unexpected connections. Jeremiah P., a 42-year-old antiques business owner, and Victoria D., a 35-year-old financial services analyst, shared an engaging conversation, albeit with differing impressions of each other.
Jeremiah, who often turns to comedy for advice on romance, had prepared for the date by watching episodes of *The Office*. He approached the evening with a light-hearted spirit, recalling how he had played “Free Bird” on the radio to boost his confidence before heading out. Victoria arrived at the restaurant feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement, having previously found little success on dating apps.
Upon meeting, Jeremiah described Victoria as a “pleasant surprise,” noting her incredible smile and youthful appearance. He admitted that while he found her attractive, he sensed she might have had reservations about him. Victoria, on the other hand, was less impressed by Jeremiah’s choice of attire, which she felt lacked effort for a fancy Italian venue.
Both participants quickly moved past the usual small talk. They joked about their inexperience with blind dates and expressed their skepticism about the matchmaking service, humorously questioning whether Cupid was a scam. Their discussions ranged from personal philosophies to shared interests, including travel and new hobbies. Jeremiah mentioned his recent venture into pottery, while Victoria expressed her love for arts and crafts.
Dinner included a selection of appetizers and main dishes, with Jeremiah opting for gnocchi and Victoria enjoying a Bolognese. They shared ice cream for dessert, which, in Jeremiah’s words, highlighted the ease of their conversation. Despite this, he felt the chemistry might not have been mutual, sensing that Victoria did not share his enthusiasm for a potential second meeting.
At the end of the night, they walked to Victoria’s car, where Jeremiah contemplated suggesting an additional outing but ultimately decided against it. He expressed his enjoyment of the evening, while Victoria felt they lacked sufficient common ground for a romantic connection.
When asked for their ratings of the date, Jeremiah gave it a B+, while Victoria rated it a C. Despite their differing opinions, both acknowledged the value of the experience. Jeremiah would welcome a friendship, while Victoria felt their interests did not align enough for future interactions.
The event was organized by Cupid, a matchmaking initiative that encourages individuals to explore blind dating. Those interested in participating can apply at bostonglobe.com/cupid.
