You may be asking...what is "Catholidate"?

Cath·o·li·date
n.
1. A particular point or period of time at which something happened or existed or is expected to happen with a member of a Catholic church, especially a Roman Catholic.
2. An appointment involving the Roman Catholic Church or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church.
3. A term coined by resident- genius Sir Jason Casselberry.
4. A semi-popular new reality series, like its predecessor Elimidate, which features Catholics on the dating scene.
5. February 18, 2005. 6:45 pm. Holy Family Catholic Church. A 27-year-old named Scott.

First Catholic service + first blind date = Catholidate.

Tonight was one of the most random nights ever! Last week Dr. T stopped me after class and asked me if I was still serious about a comment I made last semester. At a wedding shower, I had said that there are no guys my age on campus, and I asked her to keep her eye out for me. Well, how was I to know that five months later she would remember me asking her to keep an eye out? After pulling me aside, she told me that her husband works with a guy that is 27 and goes to their church-- Holy Family Catholic Church. She told me she immediately thought of me when she met Scott because he is really nice and he comes from a great family, blah...blah...blah. It sounded fairly promising to me so I said sure. She told me all about the services at her church and how they are having Friday night services during Lent called "Stations of the Cross". Coming to one of the services seemed like a great way to meet him, especially since they had a time of fellowship afterwards where we could sit and talk, etc. I told her I would be there and I walked away thinking...a blind date at a Catholic service? That sounds like a plot for some sort of warped romantic comedy. I had visions of telling my future children, "So, I met your father on a blind date at a Catholic service."

Anyway, today was the day. This afternoon I went shopping with Rachel, not especially for the date, but rather because I had a gift certificate for GAP from Christmas and I had yet to use it. I needed jeans in the worst way, so that's where we went first. I bought some jeans, but I thought...hmm...what will I wear with them? So we hit Old Navy and I bought a new shirt. I justified all of this, and buying our lunch at Chic-fil-A, by reminding myself that today was pay day. When you know you have money coming your way, everything seems better! I spent the rest of the day tutoring, etc. and then came home to get ready. I showed up at the church and met Dr. T and her husband. I was introduced to her two-year-old son, who is one of the cutest kids I have ever seen, and I fear I paid more attention to him than anyone else, including my "date". When Dr. T. introduced me to my Catholic date, there were no sparks or stars in our eyes, which is okay I suppose, I mean it's not the movies. On a side note, I think Hollywood has really left me disenchanted when it comes to first dates and even relationships for that matter. Okay, back to the main topic. Long story short...the night progressed. I really enjoyed the service, and I am thinking about going back next week. Scott was really nice; he was shy, so it made conversation a little difficult at the beginning, but he warmed up after a while. I can see us getting coffee in the future, because I left wishing I had been able to learn more about him (we spent the remainder of the evening, after the service, sitting at a table eating and talking as a group). I don't think he and I are destined for great things, but I had a great time, and what a story.
"Hey Melia. Have you ever been on a blind date?"
"Yes, yes I have. My first blind date was at Holy Family Catholic Church."

Later tonight I hung out with my friend Jason. Blockbuster is running this "limited time only" deal where you can buy two previously viewed DVD's for $20, and on top of that it is buy 2, get 1 free! Score! Once again, I justified my purchases with the fact that I got paid today. I bought "Troy", "Collateral", and the token-girly-movie "Princess Diaries 2". In my DVD collection, I am all about symmetry. I cannot possibly own "Princess Diaries 1" and not buy the sequel, I mean...come on people!

This weekend holds relaxation and homework for me. I am excited. Tonight I may actually get into bed at a decent time. I need some sleep so I can get my lazy butt out of bed and to the gym in the morning.

Tonight I was informed that my name is an anagram for "email." Let's just think about that until next time.