Valentina’s Dates

Dan is a clever Indian guy I met on Tinder years ago. We matched during the two weeks I had been in Kerala for a wedding. He had offered some intriguing perspectives in our initial chats, and we had a lot to chat about because we both went through MBA programs and were independent entrepreneurs.......
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When I lived in Medellin in 2016-2017, I met several men I liked. I kept them in my “maybe-dating limbo land.” When it comes to high-stakes / high-commitment stuff, sometimes I can be more comfortable keeping possibilities open, instead of addressing them. Maybe I’m afraid to find out an idea is a failure, whether for......
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Right after hitting send, I am back on my bike. Pumping it up a steep hill. Feeling on cloud nine. And scared as hell. I don’t check my email for hours, scared of seeing an empty inbox. Finally, hours later, I brave it. He’s replied. I’m right back on cloud nine. Ok. I put it......
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It’s late December 2020. Almost immediately after writing that placeholder blog post (Date #27 Part 1), I am feeling the Christmas spirit of openness and sharing. I draft an email to Henry. In the email I explain how much energy he gives me when we’re in the same room. I tell him that once upon......
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It feels like a relevant time to say a bit about Henry. I don’t know if Henry and I will ever go on a date. I’ve thought he was amazing for nearly 8 years. And in the spirit of learning this year to acknowledge my heart, and let it set the agenda, I MUST honor......
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So, Ian. Ian, Ian, Ian. Ian, who I met in New York last January through mutual friends. Ian, who was a Caltech physics major like me, now working for hedge funds. Ian, who most recently moved to my sweet home Chicago. Ian, who was set up with me on a blind date back in January,......
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I managed to find my way to the US for Christmas this year. A big undertaking, big accomplishment, minimized risks. It was a big priority to see my parents this year so I found a way! (Said “easy way” involved flying Frankfurt to Boston, self-isolating in Maine for 5 days, then driving all the way......
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Kris, another old friend from college, was not originally intended to be a date. I always thought he was cute, but when we first met, he was honestly way too young for me! Still, I always noticed a spark of joy emanating from him, such positivity, energy around exploration. Even through the dark years of......
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