Writing Assignment

2011

Two weeks after my conversation with Charlotte, my mind was busy wondering and wandering how to take the plunge with David.

Many things could happen within seven years. He could have gotten married, in a serious relationship, in strings of casual relationships, or remained single.

He was thirty-two years old when we first met, at least according to his 'Match.com' profile. He was already bald then and someone I would definitely overlook just by glancing.

I still remember that coffee date in the summer of 2011:

I was UK size fourteen, on the curvy side of life. I was going on to year two of my law programme in a university in the north - far from London, far from family. After all, isn't that university os about? I had an up and coming active dating life, as my relationship then became stagnant and eventually fractured from within as situations change. That's right. Life changed when I became a law student at a good university.

During a brief summer internship, the feeling blue in London hit hard - being home and being in the company of my childhood friends.

In the small sleepy town of my university residence, people settle a little too early. Everyone already met their future spouses at year one, at least for some. But for me, it was when my skirts became shorter but still long enough to garner respect.

I opened a profile account, much to my frustration. From Mediocre Wesley from Nottingham to bringing his mates along Graeme from Cheshire.

During a summer internship in Deansgate, Manchester, a man from the London office, and I had coffee, and there he recommended 'Match.com' the membership price priced-out the 2008 recession unemployable employees. More or less, at least during that time, it was the playground of the lawyers, bankers, doctors, corporate managers and consultants - after all £20 per month membership for a coffee date that you only pretend to enjoy or you actually enjoy and get fucked-up on a solo session of vodka tonic with lime by December or drown your friends with your summer of love misery is not for the faint hearted.

Prior to moving back home into London, I signed up for a profile in Match.com.'

I really was unsure whether the legal industry put-off men but middle-aged men, especially physicians and medical specialists who were balding, were the ones first to message.

Finally, he is a non-healthcare professional, but still, he is one of the baldies. 32. Management Consultant. I replied.

David Levit, 32, Management Consultant and amateur diver. 

We exchanged mobile numbers.

He wanted to meet me on Wednesday.

I declined.

He suggested Friday, and that my area in London is nearby and he could really pass by for a cup of coffee.

His persistence caught me, to the point I gave in. Many men would have already shy away, not this one.

And so I packed my bags from my Manchester flat, to the family home in London for the summer and a date with David.