I think blind dates get a bad rap.  Wouldn’t you rather go out on a date with somebody suggested to you by a common friend who knows you both and thinks you’d get along?

Well, I guess you’d have to take into account the trustworthiness and judgment of the common friend.

Sixteen years ago today a really, really successful blind date took place.  So successful that tomorrow (July 2) is our fifteenth wedding anniversary.

So I’d rate that as an outstanding first date in terms of the ultimate outcome, but as a stand-alone event it was not my smoothest moment (which is saying something as the competition for my smoothest moment award is not fierce).  For one thing, it was a double-date and after dinner the other guy gave the waiter his credit card.  At that point in my life I always paid cash for everything.  I panicked and felt pressure to appear grown-up and sophisticated, so I got out my card, too.  (There is some slim but non-zero chance that my wallet was a Velcro, which I’m pretty sure trumps the sophistication of any method of payment).  When the waiter returned with the credit card receipts, I got flustered and had to confess to the table that I didn’t know what to sign, how to tip, etc.  They had to teach me.

Smooth.

Also, we all rode in one car together, meaning I didn’t have much control over the logistics.  For reasons I can’t remember, the other guy was ready to call it a night immediately after the movie (Jurassic Park).  Since I had no wheels I either had to follow his lead or on a moment’s notice devise some sort of plan that allowed Laura and I to get dropped off where my car was so that we could go for ice cream.

Those who know me well will agree that “smooth plans” and “moment’s notice” when taken together (or, alas, separately) are not my gifts.  I prefer time to process things.  Thus this other guy and his date (who to her eternal credit masterminded the blind date) sat in the car and watched as I walked Laura to the door at what was probably around 9:45pm.

I got home early enough to call yet another friend to discuss the date, and her first comment was, “You’re home already!?”

So the very promising first date was cut short.  Everything worked out OK because while being “smooth” is not my gift, I was at least clever enough to ask for Laura’s phone number.

I’m also clever enough to thank God for bringing her into my life.  My plans may never be smooth, but His cannot be topped.