Jessica is a 28-year-old media-sales executive who lives in Liberty Village. She describes herself as warm, outgoing, and goofy, with a crude sense of humour—a “small town–raised, big-city girl at heart.” Jessica likes working out, exploring Toronto, going out for dinner, and spending “too much time” drinking with her friends. She met Tom on PlentyofFish.
I’d been using POF for a few years and was ready to delete my profile. In the midst of a lot of creepy messages and profiles that screamed “I’m here to get laid,” Tom came across as chill, approachable, and honest. I also liked that he made no excuses about the fact that he was intrigued by me: He asked me out for coffee in the first message he sent. The quickness kind of freaked me out, even though he was casual about it. I wanted more time to ask questions and Google his name! After a few days of checking out his Facebook page and articles from his varsity football days, I agreed to a date.
I ended up cancelling. I had been out on a date the night before that involved too many beers, and I was exhausted, so I texted Tom to bail. He called me and was very understanding, and we ended up talking for a while. It was really comfortable and I regretted ditching him, but he didn’t need to see me in my hungover state that night.
We met a few days later for coffee, and there was instant chemistry. Tom was even more handsome than his photos, and the conversation was so easy, just like it had been on the phone. He had a friendly, calm vibe. We talked a lot, and I liked that he was as engaged in the conversation as I was; usually I’m the one moving it along on first dates. I found Tom’s confidence and outgoing nature instantly attractive. He had recently left his job to start his own business—his ambition was damn sexy.
We ended up carrying on to Czehoski for a couple of pints after that, and Tom and I got a bit flirtatious. The conversation was serious, but we were also smiling. Tom made plans for our second date while we were still drinking our beers. I had mentioned that I’d never been to High Park, and he offered to take me. Later on, he walked me home with his arm around me, which was bold and very cute. I felt a comfort with him that I hadn’t felt in years.
At my door, we hugged and he kissed my cheek, then we kissed for real. After years of enjoying the single life, I couldn’t believe I was practically falling for a stranger in one night. Everything was so weirdly perfect, which was so hard for me to come to terms with, and also made it tough to stop myself from asking him to come in. (I didn’t!)
I spent more than 36 hours with him on our second date, knew I was in love with him after less than two weeks, and moved in with him six months later. It was that pull that you feel but can’t explain. I just knew.
Jessica rates her date (out of 10): 10
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