Pic- selfie Will took of us on the first day we met while speed dating

It all began in Fort Lauderdale during a speed-dating event at the end of October 2023. I wasn’t entirely convinced about the whole speed-dating thing, but there I was, sitting at the table, waiting for my next “date.” That’s when Will sat down. He was polite, funny, and there was something about him that made me curious enough to exchange numbers. Little did I know, this chance encounter would change my life.

Our first date almost didn’t happen. He was working late and lost track of time, which left me unimpressed. Five minutes before we were supposed to meet, I sent him a message: “If I don’t hear from you, I’m not going.” When the agreed-upon time came and went, I changed into comfy clothes and made myself dinner. About 15 minutes later, he called, asking if I was ready to go out. I calmly explained I was already eating, which led to a confusing back-and-forth about the timing.

Not one to give up, Will asked if we could at least grab drinks. I told him I didn’t really drink, so I passed. Undeterred, he then suggested dinner the next weekend. I said, “Sure,” and hung up, assuming that was the end of it. But Will wasn’t ready to let it go. He kept texting me, clearly determined to make our first date happen.

It was Halloween, and he asked what I was wearing. “For Halloween or our date?” I replied with my usual snark. He chuckled and pivoted to suggest something low-key: ice cream. That caught my attention. Who can say no to ice cream?

Will quickly found a spot—Jackson’s Ice Cream in Davie—and we planned to meet at 7 p.m. To my surprise, he was on time this time. We shared a giant sundae and spent hours talking. He opened up about his past, including the heartbreak of losing his girlfriend unexpectedly after a year together. That experience shaped his perspective on life and relationships. He confessed that after meeting me at speed dating, he canceled all the other dates he had lined up. He knew I was the one he wanted to pursue.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical. He was 35, living in Miami, and seemed like the type who would never settle down. Plus, he wasn’t my physical “type.” True to my blunt nature, I told him that outright. Most guys would’ve been offended, but not Will. Without missing a beat, he said, “That’s okay. I like you enough for the both of us.”

That moment stuck with me. Something about his persistence, patience, and honesty made me reconsider my usual expectations. Despite my history of claiming I don’t like papitas sin sazón (plain chips), I decided to give this one a shot. Turns out, he’s the only “vanilla” I now love.

We’ve been inseparable since that night, and I’m so glad I took the chance. Who knew that a speed-dating event and an ice cream date could lead to this beautiful journey?

Things to Do

The Florida Aquarium

Tampa Museum of Art

Henry B. Plant Museum