Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Before Match.com - The Real Matchmakers



June 28, 1987
              

As our twenty-fifth anniversary is approaching, it seems only fitting to tell the story of how we met. It all began when my dear friend L. called to tell me about an upcoming dating show on cable. She said that her client was a Jewish matchmaker who offered to fix her up. When she told her that she was engaged, she asked her if she knew of anyone who might be interested. She knew that I would enjoy being on a dating show, so I thanked her for thinking of me.  A few minutes later, the matchmaker called me at work.

She started firing off personal questions, as I trembled in my cubicle.  I finally cut her off when the subject of weight came up, though I would give anything to trade my 1986 stats now. The next step was to set up a meeting in person at which time I would pay a generous fee. When I asked about the cable dating show, she said that she was still working on it.  I told her to call me back when she had more information.

A few weeks later, I received another call at work. The matchmaker told me that she had several new clients who would love to meet me,  and she "desperately" needed women in my age group. I was a tall, twenty-four-year-old Jewish blond, with good child bearing hips. What's not to like?  I asked again about the dating show which was probably never going to happen in the first place. So there was no TV offer, and she admitted that she was "desperate." This was a true Seinfeld moment when I had "hand."

I offered to meet her if she sent me on a free trial date. The matchmaker said it was out of the question. Then I replied, "Since you told me that you were "desperate," I don't see why I should have to pay you." At the time I worked in the advertising department at a magazine, so she suggested I help her with advertising instead. Hence, we set up a meeting for the following week.

The matchmaker looked like Dr. Ruth, and was a compact powerhouse. Since many of her clients were older religious men from New York, she immediately started asking me questions about how observant I was. When she asked me if I ever ate bread during Passover, I answered her honestly. She sternly replied, "Do you know what the bible said about what happened to people who ate bread on Passover?  It said that they were stoned." Suddenly, I wasn't so excited about my trial date. Then she took my picture to share with her partner, and sent me on my way.  

Her partner must have liked the terrified expression on my face, because I got a call a few days later. We went to a nice Chinese restaurant for dinner. He didn't laugh or try to sneak out when I started choking on the hot n sour soup. It turned out that he lived down the street from her younger partner who had been trying to fix him up for years. She bent the rules by showing him my picture, and he decided to call me. I fell in love with my trial date, and we were engaged six months later.

My friend L. stood up in our wedding, and later ran into the matchmaker. She always came to see her during the clothing shows in search of sample sales. Though she had only met my husband briefly when she crashed our wedding she said, "He was much too good for her." 


46 comments:

  1. Now that is a wild story. Glad the show didn't work out. You didn't need to go any further anyway. Congratulations on twenty-five years!

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  2. Great story, Congrats on your 25th anniversary

    Yvonne,

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  3. What a great story and what fun to read. Congratulations on your your anniversary and many more happy years together.

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  4. Congrats on the 25th anniversary. She did show all her cards when she told you she was desperate. Not great at sales.

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    1. The funny thing is that she didn't even try to get more publicity by featuring us as a married couple. Thanks Ciara!

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  5. Alex - It did all work out for the best. Thanks Alex!

    Yvonne - For some reason I couldn't get through to your blog. I'll try again later. Thanks Yvonne!

    Arleen - Thanks so much!

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  6. This is the funniest "how I met my spouse" story I've ever read.

    Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!

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  7. Hi Julie! CONGRATS to you and your husband on 25 years!
    : )

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  8. That is a wonderful story! Congratulations on 25 years.

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  9. Congratulations. That woman was a ...well...you know.

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  10. Congrats Julie! 25 years with someone I really like sounds like a feat in itself!!! Lol what a great story. How lucky you are to have met the man you love and a Lifetime Movie script at the same time. Your a lucky lady.

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  11. Ah, that's a great story. Happy anniversary. You're very lucky to have met each other. :)

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  12. Congratulations! Great story.

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  13. Wow that is quite the meeting story. Sounds like way more fun than say pof too.

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  14. Eliza - Thanks for the huge compliment and the good wishes!

    Thanks so much Susanne!

    Deathwriter - I really appreciate it!

    Delores - I couldn't agree more! Thanks Delores!

    Thanks Gail!

    Angie - If Lifetime picks it up, I'll write a part in it for you! Thanks so much Angie!

    L.G. - We are lucky most days! Thanks L.G.!

    Thanks Tonja!

    Thanks Mary!

    Pat - Are you talking about poo again? This is supposed to be a sweet story! Julie

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  15. I've heard, and have my own, interesting stories starring Jewish matchmakers. Yours, though, has the happy ending most don't. Baruch HaShem! Mazel Tov on your 25th anniversary!

    xoRobyn

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  16. Great story and congrats! on 25 years. Here's to 25 more excellent years of joy and health.

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  17. Robyn - I'd love to hear about your experiences with Jewish matchmakers! You always have the best stories! I know that we were incredibly lucky. Thanks so much Robyn!

    Stephen - Thanks for the good wishes Stephen! Julie

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  18. Congratulations! What a great story. You are off to a good start. I hope the next 25 are fabulous.

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  19. I love this story of how you two met! It's my favorite yet, except for my own story, of course :)

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  20. Fingers are quicker than my brain this morning.
    Happy Anniversary!

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  21. Thanks so much Yvonne!

    Carol - Thank you! Thank you!

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    1. Oh, and I'd love to hear your story of how you met Live-in Handyman! Julie

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  22. i love this!!! happy anniversary :)

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  23. Happy anniversary! You still have the same beautiful smile.

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  24. Wow Julie, awesome story and many congrats on your anniversary. You look a happy couple in the photo. And 25 years later, I sense the happiness is just as strong.
    I also mentioned you and linked your site into my latest article. It responds to a comment you submitted on a 'cheesy' posting by me.
    All the best and many more years of joy to the both of you.
    In kindness, Gary :)

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  25. Thanks Lynn!

    Susan - I like the sound of that! Thanks Susan!

    Susan - Now that you mention it, I am a bit long in the tooth! Glad you're back! Thanks Susan!

    Gary - It was a "cheesy" posting about macaroni! You always crack me up, and I love your 70's photo! I see the strong resemblance to Charles Bronson! Thanks Gary! Julie

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  26. I can see this story being played out in the theatre... Or better still on film! You must write a play about it. I thought for a start you were going to say that you picked him out on live TV! So glad this story has a happy ending.

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  27. Here's to many more wonderful years together! And what a story you have to share.

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  28. Eating bread during Passover gets you stoned? Man, to think of all that money I wasted when all I needed to do was get a loaf of Wonder Bread.
    Happy Anniversary!
    As beautiful now as then.

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  29. Rosalind - Do you really think that this would be good enough for a play? Thanks so much, but I wouldn't even know how to get started. I'd appreciate any advice you might have.

    Lee - Another funny thing is that my mother-in-law was in a book group with the matchmaker. We didn't find out until shortly before the wedding. I'm sure she tried to warn her about me! Thanks Lee!

    Al - Just don't stick a whole loaf up your nose in one sitting! Thanks for making my day Al! Julie

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  30. Wow, You look pretty then as now. And, I think you should send your story for a how I met my husband mag article.
    Happy Anniv and many, many more...healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful years.

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  31. Rek - That sounds like a great idea! Is there one in particular that you think would be interested? Thanks for the kind words, and good wishes! I really appreciate it Rek!

    Thanks Crack You Whip! Julie

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  32. That's a great "how we met" story. Congrats. What fun.

    Play off the Page

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  33. Haha! What a thing to say at someone's wedding!

    I love this story.

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  34. Thanks Mary!

    Talli - She didn't actually mention it to my friend until she ran into her after the wedding. She probably didn't like the food! Thanks Talli!

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  35. What a lovely story, Julie! Congratulations on 25 years of marriage! You should incorporate your story into a WIP... or even a play...

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  36. This is such a wonderful story, Julie. I cracked up imagining the matchmaker, so funny. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! Your wedding picture is so lovely. I hope you and your hubby have a fantastic anniversary. :)

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  37. Michelle - I would love to write a play someday! Thanks so much Michelle!

    Julie - Years later I saw her still going strong on a TV documentary! We did have a very nice anniversary. Julie, Thanks for being so thoughtful even with all that you've been going through. You are such a good person.

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  38. What a neat way to meet! I just love your story. Happy 25th anniversary!

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  39. Congratulations. Great Love Story..... I found my perfect match on this source Jewish Matchmakers.

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