Each month, we set two daters up, give them free food and drinks, then wait for the magic to happen. This month’s Blind Date we set Brandon and Michele up at Prost Brewing.

Meet the Daters!

Name: Michele

Occupation: Interior Designer

Star Sign: Pisces

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? It’s something different, and I love something different.
What’s a good way to win you over? Chivalry. In this modern world, I think it’s really nice for men to open doors and show appreciation and respect for women.
Most irrational fear: In life, an elevator dropping. In dating, settling.
What’s your greatest strength? Communication and authenticity.
Do you want kids? No. I just want cats, the person, dogs, whatever!
What do you geek out on? I love antiquing. I love the hunt.
Immediate red flags: Bad teeth. Brush your teeth two times a day!
Immediate green flags: Asking questions and smelling good. Hygiene, it’s important!
What is your toxic trait as a partner? I love affirmations. Tell me we’re good. Tell me how you feel. I don’t want to be in my own head.
One thing you can’t live without? Listening to music and animals.
Why did your last relationship end? We weren’t on the same page. We wanted different things. He’s an asshole.
Celebrity crush: Jon Hamm.
Guilty pleasure: Shoes. All types of shoes. I love fashion.

Name: Brandon

Occupation: Therapist

Star Sign: Libra

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there.
What’s a good way to win you over? Responsive and intentional communication.
Most irrational fear: Social rejection on a mass scale.
What’s your greatest strength? Empathy. I want to feel connected to people beyond what words can exchange.
Do you want kids? Yes, but that’s not a prerequisite for a relationship.
What do you geek out on? Lord of the Rings, Renn Faire, anything fantasy, and music.
Immediate red flags: Politics. It’s not so much a question of politics as morality.
Immediate green flags: If you can truly express what you’re feeling.
What is your toxic trait as a partner? As funny as it sounds, not communicating enough.
One thing you can’t live without? Music. It’s pervasive in all aspects of life.
Why did your last relationship end? We weren’t compatible personality-wise.
Celebrity crush: John Cena. He maintained a sense of humility in an egotistical industry.
Guilty pleasure: Weed.

ROUND 1

First impressions matter, and Brandon came prepared. Arriving with a thoughtful gift in hand, he immediately caught the attention of Michele, who appreciates chivalry and thoughtful gestures. A gift on a first date? Bold move! Let’s see if it pays off.

How are things going so far?
B: It’s going great. Her communication is really on point. She has traits that I really desire in a partner, and it’s wonderful to be around her goofy, witty personality. We have a similar background and a similar approach to what we want in a relationship.
M: Things are going really well. He’s so wonderful. He’s a great conversationalist, which is so hard to find. He thinks I’m funny and makes me laugh, which is always a perk.

What were your first impressions of the dater?
B: Her energy is amazing. Her smile really lit up her whole face and showed that she’s here not to present as anything other than who she is, and that she’s really intending on a genuine connection. There’s nothing more you could ask for on a first date.
M: He’s handsome, and I saw his shirt with flowers on it and was like, this guy has some pizzazz. We’re hippies.

What was the first thing you noticed about your date?
B: Her smile. Being able to smile at someone you don’t know but who you’ve been put into a situation with where you’re forced to get to know each other really helps break the ice. It really helps show that you’re being your true self and that you’re willing to see where the interaction goes.
M: His eyes. They are blue and bright. I hope they are actually blue… yes, they are! He’s so tan. The whites of his eyes pop, and his blue eyes pop too.

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?
B: Yeah, I think so. I don’t think it has anything to do with the aesthetics, but how she’s showing up as herself. Everything I’ve seen so far has been very consistent. A lot of green flags!
M: He’s the kind of person I would like to date, not that I have dated. I’m into it.

Where do you normally meet partners?
B: At the gym or shows. A lot of live music, but that’s pretty much it. The apps are too self-serving. Are you feeding into my ego, or should I swipe to the next person?
M: The last few times it’s been through friends, which has been great, but before that, it was all the apps. And I hated it. There was no vetting.

What are you most nervous about for tonight?
B: Getting here on time. I want to show up early and be prepared. At this point in my life, I want to show that I’m responsible and respect other people’s time.
M: How I would show up. I’ve felt pretty sad with people I’ve met in the past, so I was good nervous since this is something new. I’ve been on a lot of bad dates. This one is going wonderfully! He brought me a gift! It was really sweet, thoughtful, and so out of the ordinary. It feels really nice. He didn’t have to, he wanted to.

Did you get any advice for the date?
B: No. I didn’t want advice. I think that can introduce an element that is not genuine. I wanted to come into this as myself with no expectations. Just see what transpires.
M: Everyone was basically like, “Be open. What are you going to lose?” There’s nothing to lose, which is so true!

How did you prepare for the date?
B: I shaved, I took a good, long shower, and I did some breathing exercises. Then, I managed my time effectively so I wouldn’t be stressed or frazzled.
M: The gal from Ted Lasso is a badass bitch, and she whenever she’s uncomfortable she does her “badass face.” So I literally growled into my mirror, and said, “You’re a bad bitch!”

How did your date dress tonight?
B: She’s beautiful! I love it. She looks very summery. She’s gorgeous!
M: Very nice! I like his tight pants and his shirt. He dressed very well.

What are three words that you’d use to describe your date?
B: Effervescent, authentic, thoughtful.
M: Authentic, sweet, handsome.

What are you looking forward to in the next round?
B: Getting to know more about her, what she wants and needs out of a relationship, and seeing if we have some of those things that overlap
M: I’m excited to hear about his band that he was telling me about until you ripped him away! I’m also excited to try another cocktail.

ROUND 2

By now, Rooster was starting to feel like an inconvenience. Michele and Brandon were completely engrossed in conversation, and pulling Michele away for her interview required a little more effort than usual. More than a few googly eyes had already been exchanged, and one thing was becoming clear: this date was going very, very well.

How was dinner and drinks from Prost Brewing Co?
B: It was great. The drinks were phenomenal. My favorite beer is the Dunkel. The food was great, too.
M: This place is really cute. I love how authentic it feels. The brats were the perfect date entree. We’d each take a bite and talk about it.

How’s the date going?
B: I think it’s great. We could talk for hours and still have a lot to discuss. We’ve barely scratched the surface.
M: This is wonderful. I really like him. I didn’t know what to expect, and it’s surprised me in the best way.

Do you two have anything in common?
B: We have a lot of interests, and we have a great approach to life. What do we want out of life, how do we want to impact others, and what do we want for ourselves?
M: We are both in the same place of maturity and awareness. We know what we want. We’re both very into music. We did talk politics and about the kids thing, and that was very lovely, and I loved his answer. I don’t want to waste anyone’s time.

What do you like about your date?
B: Her ability to connect. Talking with her hasn’t felt forced. There’s no sense of coercion; rather, there’s just a sense of desire and wanting to know. And that’s a beautiful thing and sets up for a beautiful companionship, if not a relationship.
M: He makes me feel comfortable and safe, and I’m losing track of time. God, I love losing track of time!

What do you not like about your date?
B: I don’t think there’s anything distinguished at this point.
M: What a weird question. I don’t know him enough to pick this apart.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?
B: Her willingness to be vulnerable. A willingness to go deep, where normally on a first date, it’s hard to go any deeper than superficial conversations. But yet, she’s gone there.
M: I’m into it all. I’m very surprised. I think we’re on a very similar page. We’re leaning into each other. God, it feels nice.

How would your parents feel about the dater?
B: That’s a tough question. Are we there yet to present to our parents?
M: My mom would LOVE him. He’s a sweetheart and she would probably flirt with him.

What’s been the best part of the date so far?
B: Just chatting. There’s been a genuine connection, so that’s been the most special.
M: He just makes me laugh. I need someone to make me laugh.

What could make the date better?
B: Nothing. I don’t want to think about what could be better because that detracts from what it was, and it was beautiful.
M: You guys fucking leave! No more interviews!

How’s the chemistry on a scale of 1 to 10?
B: I’d put the chemistry at a 10. My experience has been great. Will it become a marriage? I don’t know. At the very least, we have the foundations of a friendship, and that’s enough to go off of.
M: I would say an 8.5. It’s pretty much there!

Where would you like the night to go from here?
B: Maybe an exchange of numbers and seeing where things go from there. There were no expectations, so anything beyond this would be a bonus.
M: I mean, it’s pretty wonderful. There’s no pressure for anything. I would love to get his digits and obviously see him again.

What’s a fun fact that you learned about your date?
B: We share a similar passion for music. Not only listening, but performing. And I think sharing that kind of communal aspect can be really beautiful.
M: I love that he’s in a band, but he seems very much like he doesn’t want to tell a lot of people about it. I also love that he’s a therapist. Having both of those things is wild, and it’s wonderful.

Do you think there’s going to be a second date?
B: I hope so. Nothing is guaranteed, but I feel like the chemistry has been there and the conversation has been great.
M: We haven’t talked about it, but we will when you leave! I want to see him again.

Do you think there will be a hug, a kiss, or an exchange of numbers?
B: Definitely a hug. A kiss would be nice, but I don’t want to assume her intent.
M: A hug would be great. I’m not going to force a kiss, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

ROUND 3

At this point, the chemistry was undeniable. Michele and Brandon squeezed into the photo booth together, shared plenty of laughs, and even had their own Lady and the Tramp moment with a sausage from the board. If there was any doubt about a second date, it was quickly disappearing.

What happened after Rooster left?
B: We finished our drinks and chatted. The interviews gave us time to reflect and created a unique shared experience.
M: We talked some more. He was very chivalrous and walked me to my car, and then he gave me a smooch! It was pretty dang good. It was electric.

What was the best part of the date and why?
B: The best part was everything you provided: an experience where we really had to focus on getting to know each other. Everything else was taken care of, and it was pretty cool.
M: Honestly, it was all pretty great. It was all really wonderful, but obviously, the connection between us was my favorite part.

Would you have changed anything about the date?
B: No, I think it was great. I loved how it was set up. I loved Prost; the people there were great, the food was great, and the space itself was wonderful. It was a good day.
M: I would have loved not being late, but other than that, it was pretty fun. Everything was delicious and the whole process was seamless. You’ve figured it out!

Was there a goodnight kiss, hug, or exchange of numbers?
B: Yeah, all of the above.
M: Yes, we exchanged numbers, we had a good night kiss, and, when I get back into town, we’re going to see each other again.

Will there be a second date?
B: Yes. We talked about going to the Renn Faire since that’s starting this weekend. Beyond that, we’ll get a little creative.
M: Yes. We talked about going to the Weird Al concert or the Renn Faire. We’re chatting constantly, so we’ll get it figured out.

Any advice for future blind daters?
B: Dating in general is easy to catastrophize and make it feel like a life-or-death situation, and if it doesn’t go your way, it’s easy to blame yourself. If it works out, great. If it doesn’t, that’s fine too!
M: It’s okay to be nervous, but it’s wonderful to step out of your comfort zone. You never know what will happen!

CONCLUSION:

Brandon’s bold move paid off! Michele and Brandon left Prost with a goodnight smooch, exchanged numbers, and plans for a second date already in the works. Sometimes all it takes is two people showing up authentically, putting in the effort, and being open to where the night might lead.

Are you tired of ordinary dating? Do you like free food and drinks? If you are 21 or older, then you may be entitled to a  Rooster Blind Date!

Click HERE to sign yourself or a friend up!