The first time I met Dipesh, I was waiting outside Cambridge train station, completely drenched with no umbrella or hood in sight. And all because I'd forgotten the chocolate brownies I'd baked him and had to run back home from the bus stop - during which time the heavens opened and soaked me! Not the look I was going for!

First stop, The Old Ticket Office, which started things off with a round of margaritas. But I couldn't wait to get to the main part of the date - 'Bhav vs Dip' - now a regular part of our dates, holidays, who am I kidding, our life!

A fun evening of competitive arcade gaming! Of course, I won the basketball game and always do! Dip will no doubt claim he won, but I have video and photographic evidence to prove otherwise.

The time flew by and we could have easily (and almost did) miss dinner, but those who know Dip well know that he would never allow that to happen!!

At the restaurant, I took the opportunity for the first time to freshen up (AKA text my friends with an update). First thing I noted - if you've ever seen that episode of Friends when Monica's hair grows wild with the humidity....well, let's just say she had nothing on me!! And second - that he was the most genuine, sweetest and fun guy I had ever met! It was as though we had known each other for years, and felt super natural and just....perfect.



The first time I met Bhavana was after three weeks of texting all day, every day, during the first lockdown. I'd just arrived into Cambridge for our first date and was met by a sea of masked faces in the pouring rain, before finally recognising some familiar-looking eyes from her photo. I walked over and went in for a hug...only to be met by a handshake! Awkwardddd!

But that faded away as soon as we got to the bar and both ordered a classic margarita at the same time! The rest of the evening involved more margaritas, games at the arcade (basketball, Connect 4 basketball, air hockey, pool - I won regardless of what she may say!), Thai food, Bhav's hair growing wildly with the humidity, and the one thing that stood out more than anything else (besides her hair) - laughter from start to finish!

We completely lost track of time and didn't even get to say goodbye properly as I suddenly had to sprint back to the station to jump on the last train back to London - made it just as the doors were closing! I sat there hyperventilating, and once I'd finally caught my breath, I smiled and thought to myself, "best date ever!".