So have you ever been on a 1st date only wishing it was your ABSOLUTE last 1st date?
Maybe some of you have and maybe you have never been on “a” date. Or maybe you just like dating and so therefore you go on many 1st dates, knowing that you will never or ever want to go on a 2nd date.
But I think for most of us, we would prefer to go on our last 1st dates, meaning that we hope we find the right person for us for the long haul and that with each progressive date, the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, streamlining eventually into just hanging out and sharing each other’s company and eventually moving in and sharing common space with “date nights”.
I proceeded back to the hair washing station and Amy, Ronen’s assistant started to work the magic of her hands on my stressed out head, hair and neck. I gave her some feedback that I wanted her to rub my hair in certain spots, easing the tension of the week and having it slide down the drain of the tub. Not only did she calm my overworked, exhausted, tired mind, she put me to sleep. Yes, sleep! I feel deeply into sleep for about a few minutes and when she was done she gently roused me awake.
I never felt so relaxed as I eased into Ronen’s chair and he smiled and spoke to me in Hebrew and we chatted about my week and his. Amy offered me a cappucino which I took gladly and Ronen started to work his magic on my hair, flipping his brush just so and laughing/smiling the entire time as we had a great conversation about his life and mine in Hebrew. The whole thing took a total of 25 minutes or so but for me it felt like a major treat. I rarely ever go to a salon for a blow out and I felt like a new woman. : )
I asked if anyone applied make-up (since I left most of mine in Brooklyn and I was on the UWS-Upper West Side). No one had any but they did share a shop around the corner. After finishing, Ronen kissed me twice-Israeli style and we were new best friends. I told him that I would bring him my girlfriends for his clients and he said he would work a deal on recoloring my tresses. Typical Israeli style, one more double kiss, a Shabbat Shalom and we were both out the door. I walked into a shop near by where a woman named Lisa gave me a quick 10 min make-over and I felt like a brand new woman again.
Then I proceeded to call my impending date and share with him I would be there in a few minutes. He said no worries and shared his address with me and told me to get a cab and he would pay. (Note: Ladies when a man shares his address with you and says he’ll pay for the cab upon your arrival this is called CHIVALRY-gentlemanly behavior).
I felt like such a new woman and I had on a top I didn’t care for that I stopped by Century 21 at Columbus Circle and quickly moved through the store selecting a cute sweater and sweater jacket to complete my “new woman” look. The cashiers were slow as hell and my date kept ringing me and I didn’t want to answer until I was done with my transaction. I was trying not to be rude but the ladies were working like they had molasses in their boots, S-L-O-W…..
…wait for them to be finished but also wait for Shabbat that was here and so I prayed right there in the middle of Century 21. I said my Shabbat prayers, my t’fillim, sliently outloud to myself. The cashier noticed my lips moving and asked me what I was doing while we both waited for the security man to come upstairs to witness the removal of the tags. I just looked at her and kept praying and smiling. She smiled back and when I was finished I said, “I’m praying for Shabbat.”. She asked me what that was and I simply explained and she said “It’s funny you are praying in the store”. I replied, “Hashem/G-d, is everywhere so if I need to pray for Shabbat in the store while waiting for my purchases, why not? Hashem will hear me.” She laughed and I laughed and she placed my purchases in the bag. I thanked her and ran out into the street and ensconed myself into a cab. I proceeded to call my date and apologize for the delay and he said “No problem, just get here soon, I’m hungry”. (Note: Little did I know but he was not only really hungry but also hungry to see me.)
I arrived quickly down 9th Avenue to his place and I rang him to say I had arrived. He was happy to hear and quickly came downstairs, paid for the cab, helped me out of the cab and we went to place my computer bag and purchases in his home. He showed me his view of the city from his terrace, we chatted and then left to go have dinner at a Brazilian restaurant. From the very beginning when our eyes locked through the whole meal and post drinks/dancing after the meal, we never missed a beat. He had me laughing, I had him laughing, we shared some stories of our lives and we also just sat, quietly and gazed into each other’s eyes.
All in all it was beyond wonderful, it flowed with ease and we found out that we had much in common. A lot in common and I knew while looking at him that this may possibly be….
….my last first date.
Enjoy your Shabbat/Shabbos, I know I will enjoy mine, relaxed, eased, happy.
B’shalom/In friendship/peace,
Sara

Hazon