About Last Night

by Marinka on December 18, 2010

Last night was a first for me.

The kids were fed (THAT’S NOT THE FIRST!), Husbandrinka was on his way home and suddenly, very suddenly, I wanted to go see Blind Date again. You may recall that Papa and I saw it a few weeks ago, but what I didn’t tell you is that six of my friends and I went again last weekend. And loved it. And talked about it for days after. (Quick recap: The premise is that Mimi is waiting for her blind date to show up and when he doesn’t, she picks an audience member to do the date with. It’s improv. And it’s amazing.)

Look, I’m a mom. I don’t do impulsive, last minute things. But something made me email my friend Charlotte (who’d seen the show with me last weekend) and ask her if she’d be interested in seeing the 10 pm show that night. And she, a mom as well, did. Enthusiastically. Shortly after, we were zooming up 8th Avenue to the theatre. We were practically Thelma & Louise. But in a NYC taxi.

Oh, this is all prologue because I’m so unsettled by what I felt next.

Because Mimi selected Peter to be her date. And Peter sort of broke my heart. Because he was shy, reserved, but so genuine that it was impossible not to fall in love with him a little bit. He told Mimi that his heart had been broken, a 10 year relationship that ended a year ago when she found someone else. He was new to NYC, starting over. He’d been to the Knicks game on Friday night (“I think the Heat did the winning,” Mimi said, and Peter nodded, sadly) and then he came to the 10 pm showing of the Blind Date, by himself. That moved me. It moved me that this person who’d had heartbreak (and I know, we all have) took a chance and went to see a show by himself. And then agreed to participate in the improv. And then spoke about his heartbreak, reluctantly, but still, on the stage.

There was a moment when Mimi asked Peter what his parents taught him that he’d want to pass on to his own children. And he said, “kindness.” Kindness. I’ve been thinking about that word ever since. (God, I hope that I’m not having a nervous breakdown.)

It made me think of people that I know who are looking for love. Friends, colleagues, tweets I see. They want the romance, the love, the security the “what do you think?” of it and I don’t blame them. Because although Husbandrinka and I have had certain discussions that had me dialing M for Murder, I wouldn’t trade it for a moment (except for a few moments, of course. I’m not married to a saint, you know.) And it made me feel so hopeful, because here was a man who, if first appearances mean anything, was a real catch- and he’s out there. HE IS OUT THERE, ladies. And he believes in kindness.

I know that art transforms us. I believe it. But I don’t remember ever feeling it as poignantly as I did last night.

Blind Date is closing on Monday and my fingers are crossed that it’ll come back, so that I can see it again and again. It’s the perfect blend of theatre and reality shows. You know, if reality shows had heart and soul and a backbone.

And Peter? Email me. I have lots of single friends.

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December 18, 2010 at 3:09 pm

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Diane December 18, 2010 at 2:26 pm

Sounds wonderful. I would love if this show came to Austin. Unfortunately, I also know quite a few ladies who have become single as a result of either death or divorce. It was nice to hear that there are kind people out there looking for the same thing.

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Melissa
Twitter:
December 18, 2010 at 2:41 pm

Ok, tears. It’s not hormones (I think), it’s the time of the year. This made me happy sad.

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Amelia December 18, 2010 at 3:33 pm

That is just wonderful. I’m so happy you shared it, and I’m so happy I read it. Thank you.

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Kathryn (@kat1124) December 18, 2010 at 3:58 pm

This was so sad-sweet to read. My romantic heart can’t help hoping there was an equally kind and lonely single woman there who approached him after the show.

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Kathryn (@kat1124) December 18, 2010 at 4:01 pm

Oh, my heart! This was so sad-sweet to read. My sappy romantic heart can’t help hoping that there was an equally kind and lonely single woman there, and that she approached him after the show.

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deborah l quinn
Twitter:
December 18, 2010 at 10:24 pm

It’s nice – and reassuring – to feel those moments about one’s Husband/Partner/Significa … that realization that “hey, okay, I don’t actually want to kill you every minute and actually being married to you is really a lot better than NOT being married to you.” And yeah, tell Peter that I’ve got a lot of single friends too.
Lovely post. Thanks.

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annie December 18, 2010 at 10:49 pm

LOVE THIS!! But you know what a sap I am anyway. I’m such a sucker for anyone who recognizes the value of the word kindness. If you hear from Peter and he decides to relocate out west – give him my number. I also have friends who could use a kind man.

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the mama bird diaries
Twitter:
December 19, 2010 at 12:22 pm

I have single friends for Peter too!

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Lady Jennie December 19, 2010 at 2:17 pm

Oh – a guy like that will get someone, I know he will. That would have choked me up too.

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Charlotte December 19, 2010 at 2:39 pm

I’m in your blog!
Peter was so lovely and kind. Do you remember the moment when put his hand tenderly on Mimi’s cheek? I can’t give the context, since it’d be a spoiler, but it made my heart swell. I hope the show comes back so lots more people can see it!

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dusty earth mother December 19, 2010 at 9:40 pm

I love that a single guy said “kindness” in front of an audience of strangers.

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Alexandria
Twitter:
December 20, 2010 at 3:28 pm

aww Peter. I hope he finds someone soon. But that show sounds really fun. If they ever do another running let the blog world know. I come to NY a lot and would love to see it.

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