Page 3 of Surrender

Mr. Palmer nodded as he scribbled on his notepad.

“Next, question. How important is physical intimacy in your relationship?”

“Honestly, it’s very important. It’s not just sex, though. There’s intimacy in kissing, touching, and holding hands. There’s intimacy in gazing into each other’s eyes. I want to feel like I’m making love to my wife. Our connection needs to be on point. Like when I look in her eyes, I want to see desire burning for me, not lust. An intimate connection with my wife should be almost spiritual.”

Mr. Palmer grinned. “My brotha, I feel you on that. The deeper the connection, the better the sex.”

“Absolutely.”

“Next question. How would you describe your ideal first date?”

“Something where we can really talk and get to know each other. Maybe something that incorporates a hobby of ours or something we could bond over. I take date planning very seriously. I wouldn’t want any woman I date to feel like she could have just stayed home.”

He chuckled. “Amen to that. Next question. Do you want children someday? If so, how many?”

“Without a doubt. In my younger days, I said I wanted five. I’m older now, and my knees ain’t what they used to be. Two or three will suffice for me, preferably not with the age gap between me and my sister.”

“Are you religious? If so, how important is it that your partner believes the same as you?”

“I am a God-fearing man. I might not go to church as often as I should, but I believe you can praise God from anywhere. Any woman I date needs to have her own spiritual connection, regardless of her religious affiliation.”

Mr. Palmer nodded. “Alright, this is the last of the vital questions. Give me your most important physical attributes.”

“I’m a little worried about how this will make me sound.”

He chuckled. “Just be honest.”

“Well… I like thick women. I mean, I’m a big man, and I need something to hold onto. I don’t really have a height preference. Ethnicity… black. No offense to other women, but I was born of a black queen, and my children will be born of a black queen. I don’t have a preference for hair. I like weaves, wigs, braids, locs, all that. But… I am partial to natural hair. It’s something about a sista with natural hair that just does it for me. What else… I’m a sucker for full lips and a beautiful smile. If she has dimples, I’m in trouble. I have a thing for feet. Not in a fetish type of way, but pretty feet and hands are a turn-on.”

Mr. Palmer chuckled. “Outside of this setting, I think you and I would be in competition, Mr. Mitchell.”

He placed the legal pad and pen down, then leaned forward on his desk.

“I do have a few other questions, but this is the point where I must reiterate that this may take some time. We have hundreds of potential matches, and we are dedicated to finding the right one for you. You are aware that the first time you see your partner will be at your wedding correct?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Here at Arranged Hearts, we strive to help you find true and everlasting love. The only difference between this and traditional dating is you get married first. I’ll tell you like I tell all my clients. You still have to date your spouse. It doesn’t matter if you have been together five or fifty years; you have to keep that spark alive. Again, I’ll state, that it works if you put in the work. Are you willing to put in the work, Mr. Mitchell?”

I nodded. “I’ve been ready. This isn’t how I imagined finding a wife, but I’m here, I’m ready, and I’m open. I just hope whoever my wife to be is, is on the same page.”

“If she’s here, she is. Now, let’s get down to business.”

I sat back in my seat, prepared to finish the interview. My nerves were creeping back up on me. I wasn’t having any doubts. I simply prayed that when I met this woman at the altar, she’d be everything I could have hoped for.

I sat nervously outside of the building where I was scheduled to have a meeting today. I couldn’t believe that I was doing this. At thirty years old, love didn’t seem to be my friend, and a traditional marriage didn’t seem to be in the cards for me. The crazy thing is, I wanted love. I wanted the kids and to marry my best friend. I wanted to grow old with someone.

I wanted it all.

The dating pool was shallow and infested with trash these days. I’d gone on blind dates. I’d done dating sites. I’d done the good old fashion way of approaching a man my damn self. As I sat outside of this building, I figured since none of that worked, this was a last resort.

A matchmaking service.

This wasn’t just any matchmaking service. They specialized in cultivating long-lasting relationships with a twist. Soliciting their services wasn’t for those looking for a boyfriend or a girlfriend. When you committed to the process, you walked away knowing that the first time you met your mate, it was going to be at the altar.

Arranged Hearts was founded by a couple who went through a matchmaking service themselves to find love. Their website stated that they paired couples on the basis of compatibility. I was a little worried about that. I wasn’t sure a questionnaire or interview could accurately capture the qualities I was searching for in a man.

Then again, I’d done a horrible job of that myself. What could it hurt to have someone else pick my love interest? They were professionals. The success rate and testimonials proved they knew a lot about what they were doing.

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