Each month, we set two daters up at a restaurant, give them free food and drinks, then wait for the magic to happen. This month’s Blind Date, we set up Meghan and Nick at Mannings Steakhouse 

Meet the Daters!

Name: Meghan

Sign: Virgo

Occupation: Art Director

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? My coworker tried to get me to audition for Love is Blind, but after watching a few episodes, I realized I wasn’t crazy enough for reality TV.

What’s a good way to win you over: Have passions. I don’t care what it’s about.

Most irrational fear: Death at sea.What’s your greatest strength: I’d say determination. If I want to do something, I figure it out and make it happen.

Never have I ever: Sky dived.

Do you want kids? I’d be happy with children or without.

What do you geek out on? So much. But especially domestic and unlauded history. 

Immediate red flags: Monologuing. Please be interested in what I have to say.

Immediate green flags: Energy! I have a lot of it, so I’m looking for someone who can keep up.

What is your toxic trait as a partner? I’ve fallen into the anxious/avoidant pairing before, with myself playing the part of anxious attachment.

One thing you can’t live without? Nature in general, but the mountains specifically.

Why did your last relationship end? He was increasingly withdrawn and insecure, and wasn’t acting like a partner.

Celebrity crush: Tom Hiddleston. Guilty pleasure: Staying up too late when I find a really good fan fiction that I want to finish. 

Name: Nick

Sign: Scorpio

Occupation: Outside Sales

Why are you going on Rooster’s Blind Date? It’s rough out here. 

What’s a good way to win you over: Being intentional, kind, emotionally intelligent, and ambitious. 

Most irrational fear: To take something that had drugs in it, and not know it. 

What’s your greatest strength: My ability to care. I think my friends would say you won’t find a nicer person in the world. 

Never have I ever: Showed up to the airport and taken the next flight out. I’m part of the Air Force, but they tell me where I go. 

Do you want kids? Yes. Two. Three is too expensive. 

What do you geek out on? Aliens and space. If I could go to space, I would do it.

Immediate red flags: Lack of internal ambition and drive. Unhealthy. Not emotionally intelligent or illogical. To me, emotional intelligence means that you’re not ruled by your emotions. You can be upset or mad at the world, but you’re still able to sit down and talk through it.

Immediate green flags: If they care about themselves, professionally and physically. If they are for themselves first, and understand that if they want it in life, they can have it. Just gotta go for it.  

One thing you can’t live without? My friends, family, and my dog, Chief.

Why did your last relationship end? We were truly incompatible. Celebrity crush: Sandra Bullock. 

Guilty pleasure: Call of Duty. 

Round 1

Do you feel it? We feel it. It is finally spring, after a long, cold winter. And this time, we’re for real. How do I know? A mother goose is sitting on her nest right outside Manning’s, incubating her eggs. Our hearts melt for goose love, but let’s focus on the humans. Meghan and Nick both arrive early, which must be a good sign. Plus, Mama Goose didn’t try to attack. That’s a double win. After some drinks and an appetizer, we pull them aside to see if the goose is worth the gander. 

How are things going so far? 

N: Great. It’s going great because I feel like we have things in common. She’s easy to talk to and easy to look at. 

M: I think they are going great. He’s nice, open, and there’s a good balance between both of us talking. He has passions, which I love, and a community, which is a good sign. And he’s expressly said he’s not intimidated by me, which I appreciate. There was listening happening. 

What were your first impressions of the dater? 

N: Personality-wise, she seems very open, nice, and genuine. She’s really nice to talk with and eager to hear more about me as much as I am eager to hear more about her. 

M: He has bright blue eyes that really stand out. And he seemed attentive and interested. 

What was the first thing you noticed about your date?

N: Her hair color. I have a thing for redheads. 

M: The new tattoo he just got. I haven’t gotten a great look yet, but I think it’s a skull with a lady. 

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?

N: Yeah. Looks-wise and so far personality-wise. She has a lot of interesting hobbies and interests, as do I, but it doesn’t seem like she needs her partner to be into those things to be successful. I’d like someone who has their own interests and hobbies. 

M: No, he’s not the usual person I’d date because he’s not the usual person I’d come across in life. Our energies are similar, but our interests don’t overlap. I think it might be a good thing because I haven’t chosen well in the past.

Where do you normally meet partners?

N: I usually prefer coffee dates or a walk around the park. Light and easy. Hinge is predominantly my hunting ground. 

M: Online, although the two long-term relationships I had were from meeting someone in a coffee shop or through shared interests. Even though most of my potential dates come from online, I haven’t dated anyone from online long-term, yet. 

What are you most nervous about for tonight? 

N: I’m never nervous for a first date. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. 

M: I was nervous about him being another Darwin, the guy from two months ago. Fuck that guy, but I was nervous about him being like that. 

Did you get any advice for the date?

N: I did not. Nothing that I didn’t already know. My friend, Adam, said keep it light, keep it fun, as every first date should be. 

M: No, but my entire office is really excited to hear what happens. My manager, Missy, started a group chat that said to update them throughout the night. 

How did you prepare for the date?

N: I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and made sure my dog went outside. 

M: I sent my outfit choice to my office crew to get their fit check. It was approved. 

How did your date dress tonight?

N: Meghan dressed perfectly for a first date. 

M: Coming from New York City, I have a different sense of style expectation. And I understand Denver is different than that. I appreciate that greatly. But, I also appreciate when someone dresses up for the occasion. And it seems like he wore what he would normally wear on any other day. 

What are you looking forward to in the next round?

N: Obviously, the amazing food that Manning’s Steaks and Spirits serves. But for real, to learn more about her and see if there’s a possibility for a second date. 

M: I’m looking forward to getting to know and learning more about who he is and not just things about him.

Round 2

Could there be some goosebumps or flutters in Meghan and Nick’s hearts? Or are we just feeling optimistic with the spring weather and the happy goose family? They are both keeping it light and casual, but there are no major red flags. We chow down on our steaks before pulling them apart, once again, to hear how things are going. 

How was dinner at Manning’s?   

N: Phenomenal. The apps here are always amazing. The brie was my favorite part of the Charcuterie board, but I love brie. 

M: The service was incredibly attentive, which I appreciate. The ingredients were fresh and delicious. 

How’s the date going?

N: The date is going really good. We’re diving into some deeper details: W2s, 401ks … I’m kidding. Talking about red flags, green flags, things she’s looking for in a partner, and things I’m looking for in a partner.
M: It’s going well. There are a lot of things I like about him. Things that I find attractive in a man. Is there chemistry? I don’t know yet.  

Do you two have anything in common? 

N: Yeah, a sense of balance between adventure and relaxing time. I think our green and red flags seem to be aligned, with personalities that we’re attracted and not attracted to.  

M: I think we have an appreciation for nature, similar activity levels, and we both have migraines, we found out. We take the same migraine meds. We both have a close connection to our families. 

What do you like about your date? 

N: I like her attitude, I like her personality. I like that she’s easy to talk to. She laughs at my jokes. I’m a funny guy, so there’s that. 

M: I like that he seems grounded, both in himself and in his life. He seems like he knows what he wants and lives in line with that. 

What do you not like about your date?

N: There’s not anything that I don’t like, yet. I’ve been on a lot of first dates. So far, you guys have done great. 

M: Nothing pops out. If I had to pick one thing, I would say we don’t have a lot of passions that overlap. But, I do love that he’s passionate about things.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?

N: She asked intelligent questions. Seems like she wants to get to know me versus going through the motions. 

M: The most attractive thing he’s done is genuinely listen to me. The bar is so low for straight men. The bar is less of a high mark and more of a pit they just have to avoid stumbling into.

How would your parents feel about the dater? 

N: My parents would love anyone I love. 

M: I don’t think I know him well enough to know that yet. Again, the bar is so low for most men to go under it, you just step over it. 

What’s been the best part of the date so far?

N: Getting to know someone who seems to be on the same wavelength as me in a lot of ways. It’s refreshing. 

M: I think the best part was when we both began to loosen up and have a conversation more than an interview. 

What could make the date better? 

N: I don’t think anything could make the date better. I’m very satisfied with how the date is going so far, which I know is a very bland answer for your article. Maybe some sort of activity?

M: You know that moment on a date when you get past the jitters and then you really, really start connecting? That’s what would make it great. I haven’t felt that connection yet. That natural feeling where you’re not thinking of what else to say next, you’re just talking. 

How’s the chemistry on a scale of 1 to 10? 

N: 7. What could make it better? More time. What could make it worse? Less time. 

M: 5. It’s neutral. I’m not un-attracted to him, but I’m not really attracted to him. 

Where would you like the night to go from here?

N: I have no expectations, but I would like dessert. 

M: I’d like to get a decaf Americano and have some more conversation. 

Do you think there’s going to be a second date?

N: If I were a betting man, I’d say yes. And I am a betting man. I have a Caesar Sportsbook. I win 50/50. 

M: If this were a Hinge date, no. But because it’s a blind date and that feels like maybe I should give this more of a chance, maybe? But probably not. 

Do you think there will be a hug, kiss or exchange of numbers?

N: We already exchanged numbers. We didn’t already kiss. Definitely a hug, a kiss… I will have to see how that feels. Body language will tell me that one. 

M: Kiss? No. He already got my number to send me a link for migraine medicine discounts. 

Round 3

If there is one thing we have learned over the years of hosting Blind Dates, nobody, not a single soul, enjoys the Denver dating scene. But, Nick and Meghan both agree that their date has been going smoothly. Nick raised the bar for men, and Meghan has caught Nick’s eye with her passions and intelligent interests. We waddle out of Manning’s, full of meat and potatoes, wondering if Mother Goose can turn this date into a fairytale. 

What happened after Rooster left? 

N: We finished most of our coffee and went our separate ways. No ice cream. She can’t have dairy. 

M: I ordered a decaf coffee, and I think he did too, just to be nice, which, ya know, good on him that he was game. 

What was the best part of the date and why? 

N: It was good to connect with someone who is intentional about dating, get to know her, and have a good conversation. 

M: Being seated in our own little area away from the rest of the diners. I’m not a big fan of crowds or loud places.

Would you have changed anything about the date?

N: The only thing I would have changed is having an activity involved to take some of the pressure off. 

M: Honestly, no. It was a good experience. Overall, it felt sort of like you’re seated at a wedding table with someone you don’t know, but you got lucky with that wedding arrangement, where it’s not painful, but it’s still a wedding conversation..

Was there a goodnight kiss, hug or exchange of numbers? 

N: We exchanged numbers because I was giving her a coupon for some migraine medication. There was a hug, but there was no kiss. 

M: We hugged before splitting up. I tried the discount he sent me before, but it doesn’t work with my insurance. 

Will there be a second date? 

N: I asked for a second date, and she respectfully declined. It’s okay, she is a wonderful person. 

M: I like to be up front with people, so when he asked about a second date, I let him know I wasn’t feeling it. At the risk of sounding like a basic CO girlie, the vibes did not align.

Conclusion 

Nobody laid an egg that night. But that’s okay! Both Meghan and Nick enjoyed their time together and left feeling like maybe the dating scene isn’t as bad as they thought. Meghan is still waiting for her happily ever after. Prince Charming, if you’re reading this, drop her a line at Date.Meghan.Maybe@gmail.com. 

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!