Go on a blind date. We’ll pick up the tab. Fill out an application at bostonglobe.com/cupid.
ANNIE M.: 28 / merchandise assistant/dancer
Her perfect Saturday: Dance with the trees in the woods, journal to set some intentions
Who plays her in the movie: Judy Garland
TOM M.: 37 / registered nurse
When he’s happiest: An outdoor challenge: ultra-marathoning, rock climbing, surfing
On a desert island, he’d bring: His music production studio
7 P.M. FIELD & VINE, SOMERVILLE
Curtain Up
Annie My friend signed me up for the column.
Tom The dating apps really don’t work unless you pay for them. With Cupid, I get [dinner] paid for the date.
Annie I felt excited. I haven’t been on a blind date since high school.
Tom I was pretty calm and then got a bit giddy as I was getting ready.
Annie I was 10 minutes late. Maybe 15? I apologized, of course.
Tom I was 2 minutes early. She was 10 minutes late.
Annie He was very sweet, and handsome. Like a stranger you’d ask to watch your laptop when you go to the bathroom at the cafe. Then he stood up — that is a tall man.
Tom I remember thinking, Great smile! She was clearly very pretty, very fit, and she was wearing an elegant maroon dress and tasteful necklaces. I love a bold color choice.
Opening Act
Annie I learned about his artistic work, his history in supporting touring musicians, where he’s lived, and a bit about his family. I’d say I got a good idea of his values and lifestyle.
Tom We discovered pretty early on that we both shared a passion for performance. She loves to dance (various forms) and I perform music and comedy. We also both have our day jobs and briefly touched on that before diving deep on our performance hobbies.
Annie We’re both artists. We have similar values and expectations for relationship styles. I was delighted with how much alignment there was. I suppose that’s what happens when someone matches you well!
Tom The conversation flowed. We settled on four or five things to share; I was blown away by some flavors.
Annie My shoulders really dropped as I felt able to just be myself and be understood. And Field & Vine, I love it there.
Tom The more we talked, the more it seemed our values aligned. The attraction was growing for me.
Encore, Encore
Annie There was an ongoing sweetness from the beginning that just got to flow and unfold.
Tom There was a pause in the conversation and I think we both just kind of were smiling at each other for a few seconds, and I think she blushed a bit. That’s when I realized, Oh, wow, that was not a polite smile — she thinks I’m hot!
Annie We stood outside of the restaurant and exchanged numbers and talked about seeing each other again. Then he walked me to my car.
Tom She started to say something: “Do you want to . . . ” but she paused. “Kiss me?” I said. She laughed: “Not what I was going to say! But yes. But not here. Do you want to walk me to my car?”
Annie A sweet kiss (blush blush blush).
Tom We walked to her car, had a long hug in the middle of the street, and then a long kiss.
Second Date?
Annie Yes, totally.
Tom We already set the date.
Grading the Date
Annie / A+
Tom / A+
Go on a blind date. We’ll pick up the tab. Fill out an application at bostonglobe.com/cupid.