Joe’s Disgust with Online Dating and a Dream Date with Nelly
Joe stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over the Bumble app icon. He hated it. Swiping left, swiping right, sending messages that went unanswered—it all felt so hollow. His friends had convinced him it was the best way to meet someone these days, but all it had done was make him feel lonelier.
He tossed the phone onto the couch and ran his hands through his hair. “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” he muttered to himself.
Joe’s mind wandered back to Nelly. They had met years ago in college, before the era of apps and algorithms. Nelly was magnetic—her laugh was infectious, and her love for her Portuguese heritage shone through in everything she did. She had a way of making the simplest things feel special. Joe had been smitten, but life had pulled them in different directions. They’d lost touch, and he’d always regretted not telling her how he felt.
But fate had a funny way of working. A few weeks ago, Joe had run into Nelly at a farmer’s market. She was as radiant as ever, her arms full of fresh produce, talking animatedly with a vendor in Portuguese. They’d exchanged numbers, and now, as he sat in his living room, he realized he didn’t need Bumble or any other app. He needed to see Nelly.
The next evening, Joe picked Nelly up and drove to Little Portugal. He’d chosen Café Algarve, a cozy spot tucked between a bakery and a small grocery store. It wasn’t flashy, but he knew it would be perfect for Nelly.
As they walked in, the warm aroma of freshly baked pastéis de nata and espresso greeted them. The café was simple: wooden tables, tiled floors, and a few faded photographs of Lisbon on the walls. Nelly’s eyes lit up.
“This place,” she said, her voice filled with wonder. “It feels like home.”
They sat by the window, and Joe ordered two galões and a plate of bacalhau à brás to share. Nelly talked about her childhood summers in Portugal, visiting her grandparents in the Algarve, and how she missed the sound of fado music drifting through the streets at night.
Joe listened intently, captivated by her passion. He loved how she could turn an ordinary café into something magical just by being there.
“You know,” Nelly said, stirring her coffee, “this is exactly what I needed. Something simple, real. Thank you, Joe.”
He smiled, feeling a warmth he hadn’t felt in years. “I just wanted to make you happy.”
As the evening went on, they laughed and reminisced, the connection between them growing stronger with every word. Joe realized he didn’t need the endless swipes or the algorithms. He just needed this—a quiet moment with someone who made the world feel brighter.
When they left the café, Nelly slipped her arm through his. “Joe,” she said softly, “this was perfect. Let’s do it again soon.”
Joe nodded, a grin spreading across his face. For the first time in a long time, he felt hopeful.
And as they walked down the street, the glow of the café behind them, Joe knew he didn’t just have a dream date with Nelly—he had a chance at something real.