‘My 12-year-old daughter wants me to marry him’: Alma and Ali hit it off on this week’s Blind Date
- Every week, FEMAIL asks two singletons to report back from their blind date
- Would you like us to find you a date? Are you a singleton, or is there someone you’d like to send on a blind date? Email: [email protected]
ALMA, 41
Single with three daughters, 12, 20 and 21.
Dating Past?
I was married at 18 and became a mother at 20. My husband, a police officer, was authoritarian and we didn’t have a good marriage.
He was killed in a car accident when I was 33, so I have had to focus all my energy on my daughters since then. But now I feel ready to share my life again.
Pre-Date Nerves?
Yes, but I was worried about what I’d say or how I’d come across, rather than feeling any anxiety around my date.
Alma’s looking for someone different to her former husband, although she’s not entirely sure what she wants
First Impressions?
I had been told that Ali ran a gym so I was expecting some muscle-bound meathead without much of a brain, but I was so wrong.
When he walked in I saw that, yes, he was athletic, but from the moment he started talking I could tell he was intelligent.
I can’t say he was particularly my type physically but his confidence and his presence in the room was attractive.
Easy To Talk To?
It was amazing. We talked about everything from our childhoods to what we both wanted in life and hoped to achieve.
He is much brighter than me, but we had some deep conversations about women’s rights, for example.
I’ve fought hard to be where I am today and he said I had the power in me to do whatever I wanted. And he made me laugh so much — I had tears rolling down my face.
I messaged him after the date and he said: ‘I can’t wait to see that superwoman in you’. He is such a great guy.
I know I’ve met a really good friend, even if no relationship develops because he’s in Northampton and I’m in London.
Alma enjoyed talking to Ali, covering everything from their childhoods to what they both wanted in life and hoped to achieve
Embarrassing Moments?
No, none at all.
Did sparks fly?
I’m quite reserved as a person, so I always need more than one date to feel a romantic spark.
I’ve been so hurt in the past that I’m wary of going all-in with somebody new.
See him again?
I don’t know. I’d love to, but the distance will make it difficult.
What do you think he thought of you?
I think he liked me. He seemed to pay a lot of attention to what I was saying and smiled a lot when I spoke.
I’ve had some tough times and he brought out the best in me.
Would your family like him?
I told my 12-year-old daughter about our date and she said: ‘He’s so cool — why don’t you marry him?’ I was like: ‘Slow down!’
BLIND DATE VITAL STATISTICS
ALMA
Single with three daughters, 12, 20 and 21.
CURRENT ROLE
Pre-school practitioner.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
Someone different to my former husband, although I’m still figuring out what I want. He needs to give off lots of positive energy and be a good listener.
ALI
Single with a daughter, 11.
CURRENT ROLE
Personal coach and gym manager.
WOULD LIKE TO MEET
I prefer women with a slim, athletic build but I’m really open-minded about personality. The only thing that would put me off is a materialistic woman.
ALI, 46
Single with a daughter, 11.
Dating Past?
I’ve had a number of long-term relationships, including the one that gave me my daughter.
I was in a wonderful relationship until fairly recently, but it didn’t work out, which left me heartbroken.
Life does that to you occasionally and you have to move on.
Pre-Date Nerves?
None at all. I hadn’t even thought about it. All I felt were curiosity and excitement.
First Impressions?
The moment I saw Alma, I thought she was very pretty. Her hair was the thing that really struck me. She had gorgeous, big curls which were very attractive.
We smiled — there was no kiss or shaking of hands — and just sat down to start chatting.
While Ali prefers women with a slim, athletic build, he is open-minded about personality. He’s not interested in meeting a materialistic woman
Easy To Talk To?
I said: ‘Let’s get this rolling and order some drinks and make things happen’, and that was it.
We didn’t stop talking until she had to be picked up four hours later. I thought she was absolutely wicked and, to be honest, I think I’ve changed her life.
She’s clearly been through some tough times and because I’m a coach, I could talk her through some of that.
I also gave her a cheeky new nickname I can’t repeat here, which she loved.
She even messaged me after the date signing off with it. She’s a real laugh and I got on well with her.
Embarrassing Moments?
There were none. I have no filter at all so I’ve trained myself never to be embarrassed.
If I say something clumsy, I embrace it.
Did sparks fly?
Yes, definitely. We had a kiss at the end of the date but nothing too passionate, as you don’t want to start a fire you can’t put out.
Ali thought Alma was great and, as a coach, believes he has helped her work through some of her difficult past
See her again?
We’ve swapped Instagram handles and she messaged me last night for a quick chat.
I’d love to see her again, despite how far apart we live, so we are going to stay in regular contact.
What do you think she thought of you?
She probably thinks I’m the best person she’s ever met. But if she gives me 0 out of 10 then I can embrace that and spin it.
It would be worse if she gave me 5 out of 10 because that’s just average.
Would your family like her?
Absolutely — she’d get on with anyone around me.
ALMA’S VERDICT: 10/10
LIKED? The whole package — I loved his energy.
REGRETS? None.
COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.
ALI’S VERDICT: 10/10
LIKED? She’s lovely and is going to change the world.
REGRETS? None.
COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.
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