PAUL CHIAMIS > 63
Maintenance
HIS PERFECT SATURDAY Working in the yard, cooking a nice dinner, and then relaxing
HIS IDEAL MATE A Diane Lane type; she would work in some kind of social work field, helping others.
DIANE EICHELMAN > 62
Dental Hygienist
ON A DESERT ISLAND, SHE’D WANT A garden, a really good camera, and a cuddly pet
HER IDEAL MATE He would look like Kevin Costner and be a wooden-sailboat maker.
6 P.M. SERAFINA RISTORANTE, CONCORD
> TILLING THE SOIL
DIANE I’ve read the column enough to know things don’t always work out. I just wanted to have fun.
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PAUL I was a bit excited. I wouldn’t say nervous.
DIANE As I was driving down Route 2, I saw the most incredible rainbow. I totally relaxed.
> PLANTING THE SEEDS
DIANE Our server seated me at the table and said, “I think he’s at the bar, but I don’t know which one he is. If I can’t find him, I’ll grab a cute guy and you can have him.”
PAUL I thought, “Wow, that was a good match looks-wise.” I wasn’t expecting anything bad, but I was very pleasantly surprised.
DIANE He was really good-looking and fit. I was surprised. He was [also] funny. I asked him how long he’d been waiting, and he said, “Since 2 o’clock.”
PAUL She was very personable. We hit it right off.
DIANE We both pulled out glasses to read the menu and kind of laughed.
> BUDDING ROMANCE
DIANE We started talking about why we did this. We’re both pretty comfortable with life, but just haven’t been dating.
PAUL After the first 10 minutes, we fell right into each other and we were both calm. Right then and there I knew anything could happen.
DIANE He said he used to live in a commune in California, and that was very appealing to me, actually. He also likes chick flicks, and that was a big plus. I don’t think many guys would even admit that.
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PAUL [I liked] her personality and sense of humor. She shined. What can I say?
DIANE I would say there were shimmers but not sparks. He was very complimentary. By the end of the night, we both knew we were going to see each other again.
> REAP WHAT YOU SOW
DIANE My sister had told me [that] on a blind date he should always bring a rose. He didn’t do that, but I brought him some vegetables from my garden.
PAUL [The date ended with] a handshake.
DIANE That impressed me. I’m always worried guys are out there ready to grab.
PAUL The date was about meeting someone new. I wasn’t going to jump the gun, believe me.
> POST-MORTEM
PAUL A
DIANE B+
> ANOTHER DATE?
DIANE I would like to go to the batting cages in Lancaster, [but] I think we could do anything.
PAUL Definitely.
— Compiled by Andrew Doerfler
GO ON A BLIND DATE. WE’LL PICK UP THE TAB. Fill out an application at boston.com/cupid.