Who'll find love on our blind date? This week it's Shelly, 58 and Steve, 57 but will romance be on the cards?
- Every week, FEMAIL asks two singletons to report back from their blind date
- Shelly, 58 and Steve, 57, had halloumi salad and cocktails at a venue in Leeds
- Would you like us to find you a date? Are you a singleton, or is there someone you'd like to send on a blind date? Email: blinddate@dailymail.co.uk
Shelly, 58, (pictured) who is a widow, owns a cattery
SHELLY, 58
Dating Past?
I was married to a musician for 24 years. Sadly he passed away in 2013. For the past eight years, I’ve not wanted to date at all. It’s only recently that I’ve felt ready to move on. I’m definitely not a dating site kind of girl, so a friend suggested a blind date and I thought, why not?
Pre-Date Nerves?
Of course! I’ve never been on a blind date in my life. I had at least ten outfits ready, and in the end I decided on a black and white skirt, a black silk top and orange heels.
Two friends even came with me on the train into Leeds for the date, which calmed my nerves. They were on standby to meet me afterwards for a debrief over cocktails.
First Impressions?
I arrived first. I’d already had a drink with my friends and they were telling me to be late, but I arrived early because I didn’t want to walk in wearing a mask. Steve arrived on time wearing a lovely light-blue suit with white trainers. He was the nicest man and we hardly drew breath from the moment he sat down.
Easy To Talk To?
Absolutely. Steve is wise. He is a motivational speaker and faces up to situations he is afraid of. He was scared of flying but now has his pilot’s license, which is impressive. One piece of advice he told me was to, ‘never be afraid of the “what if” ’. I’ve thought about it a lot since.
Steve lost his arm in a motorbike accident at 18 and I was struck by how he refuses to dwell on the past. I was able to open up to him. He is a fun person to be with and a good listener, and we laughed a lot. It’s a plus that Steve is an animal lover and has a cat. I’ve got three myself. We aren’t big eaters so we both decided to have a halloumi salad and cocktails.
Embarrassing Moments?
None at all.
Did Sparks Fly?
I couldn’t have asked to meet a nicer person, but while I felt comfortable with Steve, the initial attraction wasn’t there for me.
See him again?
As a friend, absolutely. We swapped numbers quite naturally after taking a selfie together. We’ve texted a few times since.
What do you think he thought of you?
I suspect he liked me and thought I was a nice person to have lunch with, but didn’t feel a connection.
Would your friends like him?
Yes, he’s close to his family and my friends would love that. Steve was meeting his mum and sister after the date which was lovely.
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Steve, 57, (pictured) who has been single for 18 months, is a motivational speaker
STEVE, 57
Dating Past?
I had a ten-year relationship in my 20s, and a girlfriend of five years in my 30s. Since then I’ve been on a few dates, but nothing serious. I prefer quality not quantity. While friends were sowing their wild oats and encouraging me to do the same, that kind of thing has never been for me.
After my last relationship ended in 2019, I decided I needed a break. I’ve tried online dating recently, but not had any real luck with it.
Pre-Date Nerves?
I wasn’t nervous actually, even though I’ve never been on a blind date before. I framed it in my mind as if I was going to meet a friend.
I have one arm and I wanted her to know beforehand. A while ago I went on a date with someone I met online and she was clearly mortified. She left after ten minutes. Her reaction put me off online dating for a while.
First Impressions?
I arrived five minutes early and Shelly was already at our table. She looked lovely and I told her so. It was only when she complimented me on my suit that I realised she is American. She is from Texas but has lived in the UK for 26 years.
Easy To Talk To?
We joked about how we’d had the same photographer come to our homes before the date. Shelly had quizzed him about me, but I’d told him not to say one word about her.
Shelly urged me to try a porn star martini. I’m usually a gin and tonic person, but it was lovely and I ended up having another. She also showed me her cattery business website, which was impressive.
Embarrassing Moments?
Nothing awkward at all.
Did Sparks Fly?
I like Shelly. She’s great company and while I’d like to see her again, I’m just not sure. She’s not my usual type, but as none of those have worked out, maybe I need to rethink who is my type. I’m probably fearful after past relationships.
See her again?
I think we should go out again. There will be less pressure and it will give us a chance to see if there is chemistry.
What do you think she thought of you?
I haven’t a clue. Shelly played with her hair a lot, but that could mean something or nothing!
Would your family like her?
Yes my mum and sister would like Shelly. She is calm and nice (that’s bloke speak for spectacular).
Fancy a posh meal with an eligible single like you? Or would you like to play cupid for someone else? Email your — or their — details and a photo to blinddate@dailymail.co.uk
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