In a heartwarming tale of modern romance, two strangers paired up by The Guardian's long-running Blind Date column discovered an instant connection over dinner in London, culminating in a kiss and a night of dancing.
A Match Made by The Guardian
Jenny, a 27-year-old gallery assistant from Leeds, met Sara, a 29-year-old researcher from south London, at La Camionera in London E9. The pair, brought together by the newspaper's popular weekly feature, were hoping for a fun, interesting encounter. Jenny was seeking a "new adventure," while Sara simply wanted a good "how did you two meet" story without the sting of public rejection.
First impressions were overwhelmingly positive. Jenny found Sara "gorgeous and easy to talk to," and Sara was immediately struck by Jenny's super-smiley demeanour. They launched into easy conversation, bonding over topics like travel, art, and even the reality TV show Married at First Sight, where they agreed the next series "needs a better-matched lesbian couple."
From Dinner to the Dance Floor
The evening was not without its mildly awkward moments. Sara was slightly taken aback when she complained about travelling from south London, only to learn Jenny had come from Leeds. They also both recoiled in shared cringe while attempting to take a selfie. However, any tension was quickly dissolved by good humour and Sara's adept handling of olive stones, which passed Jenny's table manners test.
The date was deemed such a success that they decided to extend it. They first headed to a queer clubhouse, then moved on to Dalston Superstore, where they danced until 2am. The romantic highlight came with a kiss, which Jenny particularly appreciated because the date was in a lesbian bar, allowing her to enjoy the moment "without any fear." Sara quipped that they "couldn't let the bartenders down."
High Marks and Future Possibilities
In their post-date reviews for the column, both women were effusive. Jenny awarded the experience a perfect 10 out of 10, praising Sara's intelligence and conversation skills. Sara initially agreed on a 9, but on reflection saw "no reason not to give Jenny a perfect 10."
Describing each other in three words, Jenny called Sara "bright, interesting and gorgeous," while Sara's unique description of Jenny was "Loves Robbie Williams." Both said they would happily introduce the other to their friends.
While a long-term romance isn't on the cards due to the distance between Leeds and London, both left the door open for future friendship. Jenny said she could see Sara having "a big presence" in her life if they lived closer, and Sara expressed a keen interest in seeing Jenny's drag show. Their one shared regret about the otherwise perfect evening? They both wished they had eaten more food.
The Guardian's Blind Date column has been running since 2009, pairing strangers for a night out. Those interested in applying can email blind.date@theguardian.com.
