Blair Pair - Hip-hop, Hugh Hefner and no teapots make for the perfect marriage

Feb. 27, 2011

1:30 P.M., VICINO RISTORANTE ITALIANO, SILVER SPRING

RACHEL: I was kind of freaking out before the date. I had this plan with my mom that if I texted her "teapot," she would call me two minutes later and I would have to "go home," if it was a really awkward date or if he was really, really trife looking.
AARON: I got there first and Rachel came in about five minutes after me. We then saw each other and were like, "Oh my gosh, we're on a date together!"

RACHEL: When I first got there he was already there because I was a little bit late, trying to be fashionably late. I actually kind of knew him, so it was a surprise. I didn't expect that.
AARON: I knew of her, but I didn't actually know her. I hadn't had a conversation with her, I see her in the hallway with an awkward "Oh, I kind of know you but not really."
RACHEL: After I got there I sat down and we talked and ordered food. I got pesto pasta and he had spaghetti bolognese.
AARON: We talked about a lot of cliché things. We asked "What's your favorite color," "If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be?" We asked like where our family's from and all of those clichéd questions.
RACHEL: We both tried not to make it awkward. He had a good sense of humor so we were joking basically the whole time.
AARON: At first there were a few awkward pauses, because we didn't really know each other. We asked those questions and then after a while it just started flowing better and we got to know each other, so it was great.
RACHEL: I didn't really know him at all honestly, but I learned that the music that he listens to hip-hop, that he is creative, that he's funny and pretty cool.
AARON: At first I didn't know she was Australian and Asian so I found that out. And, she would be Hugh Hefner if she could be someone for a day, so that really surprised me. I didn't think a girl would want to be the owner of Playboy. We talked a lot about entertainment and her music choices. It was a really deep conversation. I would have to say that was the most thought provoking conversation we had. We have similar taste but she likes dubstep and I kind of would rather go away from it.
RACHEL: I think our tastes are a little bit different but it's okay because everyone has their different style. It's not a problem
AARON: We just had a good time and after a while I asked her if she wanted me to take her home. So I took her home and we had conversations during the ride and that was about it. If I had to describe the date in three words, I would say that it was funny, interesting and semi-awkward.
RACHEL: It was really fun. I think his sense of humor and easygoing attitude were his best qualities. He was really chill.
AARON: We added each other on Facebook afterwards. We're getting married. In Delaware. We already planned it. (laughs) But we'll see in the future if anything happens.
RACHEL: I would rate the date an 8 or so. I mean, we're getting married. I think I would wait for him, or any guy, to call me first.
AARON: I would say the date was an 8. I would definitely go out with her again, she was a blast. I'm a person of action, so I'll call her.