The Matchmaker

Ellie was never married and she never really dated much. She pretty much worked and went home and started all over again the next day. Yes, she had hobbies but they were probably boring to most people. She enjoyed reading, painting and gardening...not the most exciting hobbies and not really places you would meet people. She did enjoy her job at the local university but she worked in an office with only a few other people. They were nice but they were all women. Her co-workers went to lunch and out for drinks after work but not Ellie. She was a quiet woman in her late 50’s and she was shy, painfully shy. So, she worked during the week and spent the weekends at home. She lived in a small college town so there were lots of things to do but she didn’t go many places. Except every Saturday during the summer months she went to the farmers market. She loved it there!

She was lonely but she accepted her life and was thankful to have a fairly good job. And she did enjoy her hobbies but she always dreamed of meeting a nice person to fill her lonely life. As she always did for years and years, she was spending her Saturday walking around the local farmers market. She loved the feel of the warm summer sun on her face, the smell of all the flowers and the peaceful atmosphere. She sat down under a beautiful shady tree to have a bite to eat, nothing fancy, just a few things she picked up while walking around the farmer’s market. Well, she had company for the first time ever, a cute, very friendly dog decided to join her for lunch! He was such great company. She shared her food with him...she knew it was a male because he had a collar on with his name “George”. After Ellie and George ate lunch he wagged his tail and off he went. Ellie was a little worried at first thinking maybe he was lost but the way he galloped off she could tell he was a regular here. His owner probably worked at a stand nearby. Oh well, it was getting late, so Ellie collected her things and started to walk towards home.

Ellie continued to visit the farmers market every nice Saturday during summer and guess who joined her for lunch every time? George, of course, and she had to admit she looked forward to his company. He had better manners than most people she met! Ellie thought to herself “Wouldn’t it be great if George’s owner was just as nice and single to boot?” Later in the day when Ellie was walking home she passed a stand at the farmers market and up from behind her came George wagging his tail and so very excited to see her friendly face. Then she heard a soft voice...when she looked up from petting George there stood a tall, slim, gray-haired man. He said to Ellie “Now I know where George has been going for lunch!” My name is Frank Green and this is my vegetable stand and who is George’s new friend he asked? Ellie introduced herself and complimented Frank on his well-behaved dog. Frank and Ellie stood there and talked for a good half hour before Ellie said well I better continue on my way home before it gets dark.

The following Saturday Ellie was in her same spot under the tree eating some lunch when George came to join her but he brought someone with him this time, his owner Frank Green. “Do you mind if I join in on the fun too?” Frank asked. So the three of them, Ellie, Frank and, of course, George sat there under the tree eating lunch and enjoying the beautiful sunny day. Ellie was surprised to learn that she had pretty much in common with Frank and she was relieved to learn he was single! Ellie liked animals but she didn’t realize how much she liked dogs and how much they liked her in return until she met George. Frank was a local farmer and when they were done with lunch he invited Ellie to his farm the following Sunday. Ellie accepted, she wasn’t expecting the invitation but she was really looking forward to it. She hadn’t been on a date for years...and she certainly never had a dog as her matchmaker! One thing she was looking forward to was seeing all the flowers Frank told her he had planted on the farm. After all, Ellie spent every possible moment in her flower garden and when the weather turned cold she took as many as possible into her house struggling to keep them alive.

Sunday finally arrived and Ellie nervously drove to Frank’s farm, which was only a little distance out of town. It was the most beautiful farm she had ever seen...it was like a farm from one of her paintings! When she pulled up in front of the house there was George sitting patiently on the porch waiting for her to arrive. She was kidding about a dog being a matchmaker but now she was having second thoughts. Then Frank joined George on the porch and greeted Ellie with such a warm smile. “Lunch is all prepared,” Frank said. I hope you don’t mind but George is really anxious to join us. Ellie responded “I wouldn’t want it any other way.” After all, she owed this wonderful date to George! The three of them took a short walk and Ellie could not believe her eyes but there was a whole field of flowers of every type and color imaginable...it was absolutely breathtaking! In the middle of the field was a table with a red and white gingham tablecloth covered with a variety of fresh, delicious food and a beautiful vase full of flowers sitting right in the middle. Also, on the table sat a bottle of Merlot along with two wine glasses. The three of them, Ellie, Frank and George ate their lunch and had a great time. Ellie and Frank talked and laughed like they knew each other for years. Then Frank poured each of them a glass of Merlot and he made a toast “To the best first date ever and to George, who is not only man’s best friend, but he is also the best matchmaker I have ever met!” Ellie said “I will certainly toast to that!!” Ellie looked over at George, winked and said out loud I hope you can arrange a second date...