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Candace had always been a firm believer in the power of communication. So when she matched with James on a dating app and discovered their shared interests in hiking, photography, and a love for Thai cuisine, she was thrilled. James’s profile photo showcased an athletic build, blond hair, and a laid-back demeanor that piqued her interest. Their initial conversation flowed effortlessly through text messages, full of playful banter and shared excitement about their upcoming date.
On the evening of their first date, Candace arrived at the restaurant early, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit, wanting to make a good impression on James. As she settled into their reserved table, she couldn’t help but glance at her phone, checking for a message from him.
Sure enough, her phone buzzed, signaling a new message from James. He was running a few minutes late but assured her he would be there soon. Candace appreciated the courtesy and responded with a smiley emoji, reassuring him that she was already at the restaurant.
About 20 minutes later, James walked into the restaurant, his blond hair slightly disheveled. He wore a casual yet stylish outfit and his smile was warm and genuine as he approached her table. Candace stood up to greet him, and they exchanged a friendly hug, which felt surprisingly natural even though they had never met in person.
As they sat down and began perusing the menu, Candace couldn’t help but notice that James had placed his phone on the table next to his plate. It was as if the device held a magnetic pull, and his eyes kept darting to the screen throughout their conversation.
Candace tried to steer their discussion toward shared interests, such as hiking and photography, hoping to engage James and capture his attention. However, each time she asked a question or shared a story, she noticed that James’s responses were distracted, as if he were only half-listening.
At one point, Candace was in the middle of describing her recent camping trip, complete with vivid details of a mesmerizing starry night, when she noticed that James was typing away on his phone. It was clear that whatever was happening on that screen was more captivating to him than her storytelling.
The evening continued in much the same manner, with Candace trying her best to maintain the conversation while James remained engrossed in his phone. She couldn’t help but feel like a background character in her own date, and the initial spark of excitement had all but faded.
As dessert arrived, Candace decided to address the issue. She asked James if everything was okay, noting that he seemed preoccupied with his phone. James looked up, almost surprised, as if he had momentarily forgotten he was on a date. He mumbled an apology, saying that he had been dealing with some work-related messages that couldn’t wait.
Candace felt a sinking feeling in her chest. She had hoped for a connection, for a date where they could get to know each other and share meaningful moments. Instead, she found herself on a date where the person across from her was more interested in a digital world than the real one.
About five minutes later, as they were finishing their meal, Candace started telling James about a difficult co-worker she has. James listened intently, until, the phone buzzed again. Immediately, James picks up the phone, lets out a little laugh and shows Candace his phone with a picture of a guy wearing a shirt that said, “Your like a human voice mail- No one ever wants to hear from you.” Candace looked at it, gave it a courtesy smile and said, “Cute”.
With a heavy heart, Candace decided to call it a night. She shouldn’t have to ask a man to focus on her and not their phone during their date. Especially their first date. She paid her share of the bill, bid James a polite farewell, and left the restaurant. As she walked to her car, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed. The overeager texter from the dating app had turned out to be the overeager texter in person, and their date had left her with a sense of missed opportunity.
As Candace drove home, she couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of being present in the moment. In the world of modern dating, where screens often compete for attention, she had hoped for a genuine connection that went beyond the digital realm. Unfortunately, that connection remained elusive on this particular date. Candace knew that the search for love would continue, and she remained hopeful that she would find someone who valued the moments they shared together, without the constant distraction of a glowing screen.