Blind date: Financial planner meets loan processor

Our pigeons sometimes turn into lovebirds! The Pigeon605 Blind Date series is what it sounds like: the chance to make a love connection with our team serving as matchmakers.

Businesses, would you like to sponsor the next Blind Date? Email [email protected]. And thanks to Great Shots and Blue Rock for sponsoring this one! Interested in going on a Pigeon605 Blind Date? Click here.

The couple

Julie had no interest in getting back into the dating scene, but when a friend asked if she wanted to try a blind date, the 30-year-old loan processor decided it was a sign to give it a try.

James, a 27-year-old financial planner from Mitchell, was excited by the idea of going into a first date with no preconceived notions of the person he was meeting. Since much of dating today starts online, he said he was intrigued by the idea of getting to know someone organically.

“There’s a thrill to it, and so if you don’t mind starting from ground zero and just getting to know someone, then you’ll enjoy it,” he said.

The two met on a recent Saturday evening at the Blue Rock Bar & Grill, located at the Sanford Sports Complex, for appetizers and a drink before heading over to Great Shots for golf.

Food & drink

The two were so busy chatting they sat at their table at Blue Rock for about an hour before they finally ordered food, Julie said.

They started with a round of special drinks. She got a smoked old-fashioned, and he got a Mexican mule, which is like a Moscow mule but with tequila.

“I was like, ooo, good choice,” Julie said, when she saw he picked a tequila drink.

They later switched to beer, she added.

For appetizers, they split the spinach artichoke dip, served with blue tortilla chips, naturally. They also got the Dakota chislic, which was a hit with both of them.

“I would definitely go back just for that chislic,” Julie said.

The entertainment

After chatting at Blue Rock for more than two hours, they went over to Great Shots, located on the south side of the Sanford Sports Complex off of Benson Road.

If he hadn’t already been in the mood for golfing, just walking into the place would do the trick, James said.

“It’s contagious,” he added.

The couple’s bay was on the third level, and even though it was a chilly night, the heaters kept them comfortably warm.

They played one of the many games available to golfers, and then they tried their hand at some of the par-3 holes on the virtual courses.

“Maybe it was nerves, but I could not hit the ball for the life of me,” Julie said with a laugh. “He said he’s not that good … and then he knocked it out of the park.”

In their own words

What was your first impression?

James: She was a very nice person, easy to talk to, and we had good conversations.

Julie: He has really pretty eyes and a really great smile, and he was well-dressed.

What did you think of Blue Rock Bar & Grill as a date spot?

Julie: It’s a really cool vibe. … I would like to go back once the weather’s nicer because they have those patios. That’s my type of place.

James: The atmosphere was good. … We sat in a booth, and (from a privacy standpoint) I felt like it was easy to share a little bit about myself without telling 10 other people too.

How about Great Shots?

Julie: They have all these different games you can play, so if you’re not that good at golf, there’s the pinball game, there’s (options).

James: When you walk down by the bays, everyone’s having a good time.

Will there be a second date?

James: I don’t know. We haven’t planned anything.

Julie: I would totally be open to a second date.

What would you say to someone else considering going on one of our blind dates?

Julie: It reminds you what good can come of taking a leap like that and putting yourself out there. … I think it was exactly the challenge I needed to be able to put myself out there more.

James: The overall experience was good. There’s a thrill to it. … It’s more organic.

Interested in going on a Pigeon605 Blind Date? Click here.

Want to re-create this date? Blue Rock Bar & Grill is open daily at 11 a.m., closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday. On April 8, it will host a four-course wine dinner featuring Okoboji Wines. Space is limited, so click here to learn more.

The restaurant features multiple dining spaces, from bar areas to several patios including one on the second story.

Great Shots is open daily at 9 a.m., closing at 11 p.m. Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Along with golf, Great Shots can be a perfect place to catch a game and do dinner thanks to this massive viewing area.

And don’t forget the Champions Club lounge for a cozy before or after-game beverage.

Great Shots also will host a Master’s Tournament this Saturday April 10. Click here and sign up for a day of fun.

And, if you’d rather just watch other people’s dates, keep Great Shots in mind when “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” airs. It’s a frequent spot for viewing parties and posts updates on its Facebook page.

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