This is a very vanilla sweet story about a virgin man finding a woman who falls in love with his inexperience, genuine personality and sweetness. Both of them realize what they truly want and find it.
This story came to me, and I wanted to write it out. It reminds me of who I am and what I had hoped would have happened to me when I was younger. I hope you enjoy reading this.
---
SPEED DATING
Ben and Sarah met at a speed dating event on a Saturday afternoon at a board game convention in the late summer.
Both of them were in their mid-20s living in Minneapolis.
In the three minutes that they had, the two spoke about the type of games that they liked to play, how often they have attended conventions, their favorite games and how long they have been playing board games.
They were very passionate about their answers and were smiling at each other.
Ben thought she was really cute with her pink highlighted hair and glasses that fit her face very well.
He loved her nerdy game shirt. He liked her answers and wanted to chat more with her than the 3 minutes.
Sarah liked his smile and also thought he was cute. She liked his boyish looks and the geeky shirt he was wearing for the convention.
She also liked his answers and did not want the conversation to end.
Both of them felt relaxed and enjoyed talking. The buzzer came and they moved to the next person.
After they had sped through all the other participants, they retrieved their cards and saw who wanted to talk to them further.
Both Ben and Sarah had marked each other's cards. Ben had one other person who was interested in meeting him, Megan, while Sarah had three men on her card.
After meeting with the Megan to briefly talk and exchange numbers. Ben waited for Sarah.
She came his way, and they finally started to chat. They found a quiet little area in the convention hall.
"Hi there," Sarah said. "Wow that was fun. Did you have a good time?"
"Hi, yes I did," Ben replied. "I have never tried that. It was better than I expected."
S: "Well, tell me more about yourself Ben. What else do you like to do other than play games? What do you do for work?"
B: "I like trivia, I go a few times a month to a few different breweries in town as well as trying to get together with some guy friends for games. The beer is a bonus. I also like hiking and traveling. I am an accountant. What about you Sarah?"
S: "I like getting together with my girlfriends once a month to chat and meet for brunch or dinner. I also like trivia and trying different breweries, although I have not been in a while. Hiking sounds fun. Any places you like the best? Traveling overseas has been exciting as well as in the US. I am an aerospace engineer."
B: "Wow an aerospace engineer! How did you get into that? Where are your favorite places to travel to here and abroad? I like hiking almost anywhere in Minnesota, but when I visit friends in Colorado, I find some good trails there too. Do you have a favorite brewery here in Minneapolis?"
S: "I really liked science in school and always have been fascinated with space travel. I went to the University of Houston and was able to work with the Space Center there while getting my degree. I really love Europe. I like Colorado too. My family is from New York, so I visit there often. When I am downtown, I love going to Surly. What made you want to be an accountant?
B: "That is really amazing. I bet that experience was incredible. I have not been to Europe yet. I like traveling to Canada. Toronto is my favorite place so far. I have been to New York once in the summer. I went into accounting because I love math and statistics. I am a baseball fan too. I often get tickets to the Twins for a night out by myself or with some of my male friends."
They kept talking for nearly an hour. Both of them realized they had games coming up and soon and had to end their conversation.
"I have a 3pm game," Sarah said. "I really enjoyed talking to you Ben. Here is my number.
Please call me next week. Let's get a beer together."
Ben was really happy how forward and interested she was. He had not been out on a date in a while.
He gave her number as well. Sarah shook his hand and smiled as she walked away.
He had a game coming up too. He was happy he had a nice conversation with someone so sweet.
He thought he would also text Megan about a date who he was talking with at first.
Ben looked forward to meeting each woman for a date.
---
FIRST DATES
In the next week, Ben had a date with both Megan and Sarah. The date with Megan did not end up going well for either of them. But he was glad to have met her.
Two days later on a Thursday night, he met with Sarah. She still had the pink highlights in her hair and wore a nice dress and a 20-sided die necklace.
He really liked how much of a gamer she was.
Ben wore a polo from his college, Brown University, and a nice pair of slacks.
They found a table that was quiet and resumed a lot of their conversation from the game convention.
Sarah told him all about being an aerospace engineer, the University of Houston and NASA.
He talked about attending an ivy league school before returning home to get his MBA at the University of Minnesota.
"I loved being at Brown," Ben said. "Rhode Island was so beautiful. It was such a great place to attend college. My parents preferred I get my MBA here since being at Brown cost so much."
Sarah really liked he had a good education and was in a professional career. She also liked that he made an effort to dress nice for their evening.
"I learned so much while studying at the University of Houston," she said. "My time at the NASA Space Center was unforgettable. I am so grateful for the experience."
They kept talking over another beer. Ben was so fascinated by her education and career. He felt they could talk about that all night.
As they finished their beers, Sarah suggested they go for walk and chat some more.
Ben liked this idea and held the door open for her and they slowly walked outside through the neighborhood shopping district.
"So, Ben, tell me how it is you are single," Sarah said. "I think you are really nice, and I want to see you again."
Ben knew at some point this question was coming. "Well, I have not dated that many women," he replied. "I think also being only 5'5" has made it more challenging. I know you are about my height, but other women I have met want someone taller, thinner, more muscular or someone who is interested in different hobbies. How is it you are looking for someone?"
"Well, I think you are really sweet and kind," Sarah responded. "I have met a lot of men since getting out of college who just want to have sex. I want more than that. I also find that men don't like that I have a professional career or that I like board games."
"I think you are brilliant," Ben said. "I could listen to you talk about your studies or board games or anything you like. I am glad we have beer and board games in common."
"Me too," Sarah replied. "I think on our next date, we should try going to a movie or trivia. We'll chat about it over text this week. How does that sound?"
"I would like that very much Sarah," Ben replied. "I definitely want to see you again."
They made their way back to their cars and said their goodbyes, Sarah squeezed his hand for a moment longer. She smiled and got in her car.
Ben watched her drive away wondering how lucky a guy could be to have such a nice date.
---
Ben and Sarah chatted over the next week. They decided on a movie date. They decided on the Alamo Draft House east of St Paul so they could have a beer before the movie.
They met in the bar area. Sarah was in a colorful dress that blended well with her hair and accentuated her figure and her blue eyes. Ben wore another nice polo and jeans.
They enjoyed their beers before moving into the movie theater. As the previews came on,
Sarah whispered what movies she like that looked good to her and smiled at him. Ben smiled back, he felt good about the choice of their date.
Sarah looked so beautiful to him when they were so close. Ben tried not to be so nervous. He put his hand on the arm rest, and she put her hand on under his and
encouraged him to hold it.
Ben did, and they took turns who had their hand on top throughout the movie. They both enjoyed the movie and talked about it as they walked together to her car.
"I really had a great time with you tonight, Ben," Sarah said. "I want to see you again next week for trivia. Would you like to go out again?"
He smiled. His confidence was growing a bit. "Yes, I would really like to see you again as well," he replied. "I had a great time tonight too."
Ben initiated a hug, and Sarah almost kissed him but settled to embrace him.
She liked how warm he was, and they held it for a few seconds.
Sarah had not told Ben that she went out with the other two guys from the speed dating, but nothing had happened with them.
She was feeling all in with him and just needed another date to confirm it all.
They each drove home feeling optimistic that more good things were to come in their futures.
---
A FREE PASS TO 1ST BASE
Ben and Sarah texted a few days during the week before they got together for trivia as they had planned on a Thursday night.
Ben knew one or two of them, but the others were just looking for a team. Their team finished in 3rd place.
Both of them had the best time being on a team of people at the brewery.