Dec. 21, 2025
Did Mercedes Fall in Love at Jingle Ball?
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RSS Feed Ben gets one-on-one with Mercedes to recap her blind date.
Will there be a second date??
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00:00:00
Speaker 1: iHeart podcasts, bring you the ultimate Summer of love Tree. This is famously available everybody, It's famously available. I'm your host, Ben Higgins. It's the final conclusion to this date that we've been tracking. At least we think it's the final conclusion. We were there when they met on the pod for the first time. We talked to him after the date, and I've talked to my trusted spies of the evening. Now it's time for me to connect with the star herself. Mercedes. Hello, Hello, let's hear all about it.
00:00:35
Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, we have so much to talk about.
00:00:37
Speaker 1: There's so much to talk about. Let's start from the beginning. In all transparency, I have talked to Bryce, I have talked to our spies. You are the final chapter to this first date conclusion. Walk us from the beginning. I mean, we've talked to you in the setup. But let's start with when the two of you first met each other. Walk me through that.
00:01:03
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean obviously, so Deana was podcasting with him, and then they're like, all right, Mercedes coming. It felt like I was like on a game show. But I walked in and like, initially like so cute. He's very attractive and like right off the bat, you can tell he's super personal and can talk to literally anyone, which I love. And yeah, I mean like right off the bat, I felt like super comfortable. I wasn't like super nervous. I mean I was nervous, but like not like anything crazy. So felt super comfortable in the beginning, and it started super good.
00:01:45
Speaker 1: Your outfits were matching. We've covered this on all well now three interviews we've done. Was that exciting for you?
00:01:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean we were both wearing silk looking good. I mean it definitely wasn't like a, oh my gosh, we're matching, like I don't know, I mean it was funny, like yeah, but I know we were both wearing silk. It's so funny, a.
00:02:06
Speaker 1: Little unexpected, both wearing silk, black silk.
00:02:10
Speaker 2: Uh.
00:02:11
Speaker 1: To be exact, you were looking stunning, no questions asked. You were looking absolutely gorgeous. He is a very handsome man. But there I want to go back to the time that we talked before the date, when I mentioned he had been on reality television. You did take a step back. You you acted like it wasn't a thing, but it felt like from your reaction maybe it was was it? Was it an actual thing for you?
00:02:44
Speaker 2: No? No, not really. I mean I like, like, like I said when we were on the podcast, when I first like initially think about it, I'm like, oh, like TV. But I'm like, but I've been on TV, and I also know so many great men that I've been on TV. So it was like, I don't know. I think for a second, I was like oh, but then I was like, no, it doesn't actually matter. But then he told me he was on he was on f Boy Island, and I was like, oh, but he was like one of the good ones, so it's fine.
00:03:12
Speaker 1: Yeah. F Boy Island was actually created by and produced by a former Bachelor ep along Gale.
00:03:20
Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what he was saying. I didn't know Alon is that his name.
00:03:23
Speaker 1: Yeah, he's a great guy. You missed that on a great chapter of the show. Yeah, we've mentioned also people have brought out to us that he was a complete gentleman to you from the beginning. He gave you his coat when you're waiting for an uber because you were cold. You got in this sprinter van together. Then kind of after that, it was a long drive. From your perspective, how did that drive go.
00:03:52
Speaker 2: It was good. I mean, like we conversation with him was really really easy, and honestly, I wouldn't say deep is the right word, but like I did. I don't know. He like got me to open up in ways that I don't usually open up, like right away, so I was like kind of cool. But yeah, the conversation was really really good. I wasn't expecting to be like side by side for an hour. No, that's intimidating, yeah for sure, but no, it was great. Like the conversation was good, and he like kind of told me about his life, his la and then obviously I talked about Nashville and Iowa and our families, and he told me about some stuff that he's been doing. So we definitely got to like know each other in that ride.
00:04:37
Speaker 1: For sure, there was a depth, you said to the conversation. I'm very curious what kind of things he got you to open up about that you didn't expect to open up about on a first date.
00:04:49
Speaker 2: Yeah. So we were talking about like our moms and how like moms are amazing, and then I was like, yeah, my mom had me when she was sixteen, like she's like the best thing ever. Whatever, and then we just kind of like went down that path. And I don't usually talk about my biological father to a lot of people just because it's like a whole it's a whole story. But I did with him, And so I don't know, I thought, Yeah, I just like opened up. I don't know, it's like very rare of me, especially on first date.
00:05:18
Speaker 1: So I mean, and I'm sure then, I mean, you had friends around you, You're in a sprinter van. They probably know more about you than than most Their first reaction, especially to the two of you having these kind of conversations, well, like what were they thinking, Well, I don't think.
00:05:35
Speaker 2: They heard like it was very much like us two in the conversation when that was happening, Like I like, they turned around. Gabby and Jess were in front of us, and they turned around and had like some conversation with us. But I would say most of the car ride it was just like me and him talking.
00:05:50
Speaker 1: So they yeah, like they they weren't necessarily like listening in creeping in Okay. And and Deanna had told me that she sat behind you and she was kind of watching the body language on the sprinter van ride. She mentioned that the body language was really good that you guys were, you know, sharing mutual friends. You were talking, you were laughing, and then you arrived to the actual event where there was a lot of your friends there. We had taught, we have talked about this before. How did you introduce him to people? Did you even need to or was he that good socially that you just kind of let him do his thing.
00:06:30
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's definitely good, like on his own. But I did introduce him to like Katie and Zach obviously, but he met most everyone in the sprinter van, so that was nice that like before we got to the event, he kind of knew everyone. The only people in my circle like Joe and Serena were there, but I wouldn't say I'm like close to them, so I didn't like go up to introduce him. Does that make sense, Yeah, just because I'm not like super super close with them, like I've maybe talked to him if you times, you know, So like there's definitely people I didn't introduce him there that like I knew I just wasn't close with. But I think he did really good of like just enjoying the concert and hanging out and like after the concert, we'll probably get into that.
00:07:14
Speaker 1: But yeah, we're going to get into that. The if we pause, then at this moment, you've put yourself back in the place where you've entered, the venue, he's met, the people you had, the car ride together. How are you feeling about this first date?
00:07:33
Speaker 2: Good first date? Like in that moment, I was like, Okay, this is going really good. But I will say Ben, like, I don't think I was ever at a point where I was like super excited about him, if that makes sense.
00:07:48
Speaker 1: That makes sense, And I think I think it definitely is a thing on the first date. Right. He can be attractive, he can be a gentleman, but if the chemistry and the spark isn't there, it's noticeable. You can't fake that. I'm curious. Can you help me understand why?
00:08:06
Speaker 2: Yeah? I mean I can't pinpoint it exactly, but I do think like our lifestyles are a little different, and just like in I don't want to like I don't know, hold on, how do I say this? Okay, Basically, like when we were talking in this for intervan, he had said some things that and they weren't bad by any means, Like I think this guy is great. I just know the way that I live my life and the way that he might be living his like doesn't really align.
00:08:42
Speaker 1: I mean, from what we know about you, and we've done some deep dives on you personally, you are a homebody. Yeah. That's been to your benefit and to your demise when it comes to dating. Right, you get very comfortable at home. You have some really deep loyal friendships. You From what I understand about you, you aren't like a go outer, right, Like that's not like a thing that you seek after anymore. You're getting to the age where you know, you're more likely to go to bed by nine thirty than you are to stay up till two am. And is all this right?
00:09:16
Speaker 2: Yes?
00:09:17
Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, and there's no judgment there. That's been my life for thirty six years. But it I mean knowing him and I just you know, chatted with him to day at you know, two am. He's still working. You know, music industry is different, like there is a pace to that. Is that what you're kind of talking about?
00:09:39
Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, because he, like he told me. I asked him, I'm like, do you like go out in la a lot? And he kind of said that, like, you know, I kind of have to for work. And he basically told me that he does go out, which no hate, Like, if you want to go out, go out, I just like don't know if my lifestyle would align with that.
00:09:58
Speaker 1: You know, Yes, I understand, uh. And I think that's a very fair you know, you know, critique or being intuitive to those things. Because you are, you know, potentially dating somebody. You don't want to be pushed into doing things later at night than you like to.
00:10:16
Speaker 2: Yeh.
00:10:17
Speaker 1: But I would like to push back on you a little bit here, yes, and say, I mean I have never been a late night person, but I did enjoy going out a lot more as a single man than I ever did once I met my wife. Once I met my wife, all I wanted to do was find reasons for us to be home.
00:10:37
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:10:37
Speaker 1: So I do think that slows things down quite a bit.
00:10:40
Speaker 2: M hmm. Well, and I feel like I've definitely been like the girl that goes out, Like I've had my time doing that. I just think in past relationships, like you just said it, like when you find someoney, you like want to be home, you want to do all that. And then so I did that with my ex, and then I like was the going out girl again. I just feel like recently, especially like I've been really like diving into my faith too, and I feel like that's why I'm not out. And I will say, like even after like we went to another bar, do you know what I'm saying, Like it wasn't like, oh, it's ten o'clock time to go home, Like it was like we still went out and we all hung out and it was great. But then like once we went home, he went out after that, you know, and I'm like, oh, could not be me. Sorry, I'm in a good bed. It's what I am, you know.
00:11:29
Speaker 1: I do want to get your opinion on this. Kathy Deanna and I did speak about this. I always had a philosophy when it came to dating, no matter how much fun I was having, that I was going to go home like at the top of the evening, you know, when things were at its best at least on the first date. Maybe not after that like kind of a ride or die, you know, second third date. I'm out with you for as long as you want to be out for. But yeah, I have I've always quote George Costanza, when you leave the party like in the middle on top, were you a little bit like frustrated that he decided to stay.
00:12:13
Speaker 2: I think frustrated is the right word, because honestly, his like him being there like wasn't affecting anyone. But I did feel like because we were like on a date, I didn't want to like hurt his feelings being like, hey, like I'm like, I'm gonna hang out with my friends. So he just like kind of came along like it wasn't No, I wouldn't say frustrated. I don't think that's the right word, but I did like after was very much like when we went to the bar after the jingle Bell, I was very much like, Okay, like dates kind of over. Now we're just like hanging out. It's like friends. Like I'm with my friends, I'm gonna give them attention and like, you know, So, did.
00:12:56
Speaker 1: You feel obligated to kind of all so entertain him or at this point was it just hey, you've met my people, let's do our thing.
00:13:05
Speaker 2: Yeah. I did feel like a little obligation, But I think that's just me as a person too, because he doesn't know anyone from Adam, and like, I don't want anyone to ever feel like uncomfortable. So I did feel an obligation, but like I said, he held his own very well and he like like it was me, Jonathan, who else was there? Just Gabby and Justin. It was us six and the vibe was great. He got he got along with everyone. He could keep up with conversation like so I didn't feel too much like I had to like be like okay, come on, which was nice.
00:13:53
Speaker 1: Before the day started, we did get an interview with you where he did mention that it's end of the night. If it went well, he'd be giving you or asking or you know, agreeing to I don't know how you want to say this and might not make somebody sound like a creeper a kiss. We do know the night did not end in a kiss, but it did end in an exchange of numbers. That seems like a good sign.
00:14:15
Speaker 2: Yeah, well he had my number four. He got my number on the bus.
00:14:20
Speaker 1: Okay, so he got your number on the bus. So he went in early and said, before anything else happens, let me make sure I get the number.
00:14:25
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:14:26
Speaker 1: It's smart, it's good, it's good, it's a good play.
00:14:31
Speaker 2: But yeah, no, didn't end in a kiss. And then he texted me and he was like, I really wanted to kiss you, and then he invited me like out, and I was like, that was when I was like, I was honestly asleep when he sent it.
00:14:41
Speaker 1: It had to be pretty late jing bawl isn't like an early night and then a bar hanging afterwards.
00:14:46
Speaker 2: It well, I think he texted me at like four am. Oh my goodness, I say, like, yeah, he had.
00:14:54
Speaker 1: A late night, Mercedes. We gotta get honest here with you. Though he told us he would like to get together again, he said he don't come to Nashville to do that. Would you say yes to a second date?
00:15:11
Speaker 2: I don't know. I feel it's not that it's like a no, but I don't know. I don't know honestly, Like I honestly, I haven't talked to him like at all, like we have been texting or anything. It's not like a one hundred percent no, But it's also not one hundred percent yes, if that makes sense. I just think, like, but again, the situation like it was a lot. It was kind of like a not a regular first date. But honestly, my gut is being like, there's no like really chemistry there. If I'm being one hundred percent honest, which I hate saying that because I don't want to hurt his feelings and like it has nothing to do with him. There's just like sometimes there's no chemistry.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: You know, you've mentioned us you would rather somebody be straightforward then play along with the game, right, So being straightforward is good here. That is something you want people to treat you like, and so you know, I would think you would want to do the same to them.
00:16:16
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:16:17
Speaker 1: I do want to ask, though, why not a second date? I mean, the chemistry, the connection, all those things. But it is a first date. And I'm always a proponent of if the first date wasn't tragically bad, like consider a second date just because first dates are awkward, They're weird, people are nervous. Yeah, you know this especially was uncomfortable. Yeah, and so why not a second date just given that context?
00:16:48
Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't know. I mean I feel like, which maybe this is like wrong of me, but I just feel like if I don't feel like excited and like and not saying I wasn't excited to get to know him, that's not the right word, but I just I didn't leave the day being like, oh my gosh, I want to see him again. You know, And I feel like that says a lot, and I don't know if I can like pinpoint one thing of like why exactly. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I do like need to give people more than just like one chance to like especially because like you said, like the situation was like not weird. Weird's not the right word, but like he was around a bunch of people, we went to a concert like on a podcast, you know, so like there are like things that played into it.
00:17:34
Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm not I definitely don't want to push you to have a second date. I just think I want to get inside your brain a little bit on your reasoning because on paper, if you write everything down, you're like, yeah, that was a good date, Like it was fine, it was a good first date. It went fine. Are you talking to anybody else? Is that what kind of plays into this?
00:17:56
Speaker 2: No, no one else, but I will say, which is is bad. But like I did like kind of compare it to my last day, my last first date, because my last FIR date, first date, I was like, oh my god, like so excited, you know, and I was like I want to see him again, like I and I just don't feel that this time but maybe, like, like comparing is not great.
00:18:20
Speaker 1: Thing to do well. And I mean, if I'm honest, just following along with your journey. It wasn't like Boston man treated you great and at the end. But I understand what you're saying. The first date, there is there was a spark. Like my first date, I will say there was a spark, there was a desire to talk again, there was an excitement, and I've also had first dates where there was a spark, there was the excitement, and then maybe the next day I was like, not as much. If we're to quantify the success of this date on a scale of one to ten, keeping in mind that this was a first date, what would be the number you'd put on it, I.
00:19:09
Speaker 2: Would say a six six point five.
00:19:12
Speaker 1: That's actually better than I thought you were gonna say.
00:19:14
Speaker 2: Oh really, yo, because like it went good, Like the conversation was good. And that's why, like it's confusing, because it really it was a good first date, and I I enjoyed getting to know him, but for some reason, I'm not like I need to see him again. You know.
00:19:31
Speaker 1: One of the best things about first dates or dating in general is it helps you kind of figure out what you're actually into and what you're not into I.
00:19:39
Speaker 2: Know, And that's what's tough about because I'm doing this podcas because like you know, I haven't dated a lot, so like this is me like going into it and like figuring out, like you just said, what I like, what I don't like and all these things. So I don't know. I'm glad I have you to like help me figure it out though.
00:19:58
Speaker 1: Well, And part of this is like I have the receipts, I have the memories of what has worked, what hasn't. What you've said you wanted, but maybe you said you wanted and you found out you didn't want, so give us. I only want to uplift Bryce here. Yeah, because I do think he took a big step. I do think he was kind. It sounds like to you, what things about Bryce stood out to you that you want to find in somebody, Like what what qualities were attractive? And then I am going to ask on the back end of that, what things maybe were you weren't as in favor of Yeah.
00:20:41
Speaker 2: Good qualities. He didn't let me open a door. He was like always helping my like holding my hand, like when I was getting in and out of the sprinter van so very much a gentleman, which I love. And then he was very like I don't know, like he made me feel like in a with all these people, he made me feel like I was kind of the only girl in the room. Like he like kept like being like, oh my gosh, like you look so beautiful, or just like complimenting me and just making me feel seen, and like, especially in being in a room with so many people, he made it like a thing to make sure that I knew that he was interested in me, which I really really really loved. Super easy to.
00:21:30
Speaker 1: Talk to and anything that stood out to you outside of obviously your different lifestyles that you didn't maybe or maybe you weren't as attractive.
00:21:43
Speaker 2: To so he me personally. I feel like when I'm dating someone like you also kind of have to like, what, Okay, Remember when I told you were like who's gonna be the hardest person to win over? Yeah, and I said Jess mm hmm. He forgot just his name like three times, and I'm like, oh, bro, So just like I think that was like really unattractive because it was three times and it happened to Gabby too once, I think. But it's just like okay, like you are getting to know me, but also like my friends are really important too, you know, like you can't like just dismiss them. Yeah, but yeah, when that happened, I was like, ooh, like that's kind of nicky.
00:22:25
Speaker 1: It is, I would say. From my perspective though, and he and I are different people, I would have just been very nervous. And maybe he wasn't maybe he's smooth. Like I just would have been very nervous for this date. There was a lot of things that would have made me anxious. Right, beautiful people, full on a bus, a beautiful date that he's having. I could see myself being overwhelmed and unable to really be myself, trying to like adjust to whatever was happening.
00:23:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure.
00:23:02
Speaker 1: And I imagine a lot of men will feel that way when they go on their first date with you. I mean, I guess I say all this, Mercedes to say, you will be intimidating in the best of ways person to have a first date with. They're gonna walk into the room and they're gonna be like, goodness, gracious, I don't want to mess this up. Give me the best shot I got. What do I have to do, what do I have to say? Whatever? And that's just kind of from the male thought process what happens during this That's also why I think the thing that stood out to me the most was he didn't bounce when things were good.
00:23:35
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:23:35
Speaker 1: I don't know what he was hoping the evening brought and what the late night evening entailed, but that's also one of my re always was one of my reasons for leaving as soon as I knew the out was open, Not because I wanted to leave, but because I knew I had done what I need to do to at least get my foot in the door for maybe that second date.
00:23:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, no, for sure, I don't. I feel like he was really nice, So there's really nothing like bad or like. But that's the only thing that I could think of was the just thing.
00:24:07
Speaker 1: Obviously, I don't know if this goes to a second date or not. That's your decision to make. You just gotta let us know if it does, or I guess either way, if we were to set you up again here soon some qualities that you like, you really want us to look for. I think it's been clear somebody of a shared faith is very important to you. Yeah, you've brought that up before. I think as you date seriously, it's probably going to become more and more of a focus. Anything else that you really want us to kind of and this isn't talking about Bryce or not talking about Bryce. We're talking in general, anything you really want people to pay attention to.
00:24:45
Speaker 2: Yeah, someone I think being family oriented is really good. I also think, like I want someone who's like which I've said this before, but also has like a passion outside of their like job. Like I feel like I want someone who finds like it exciting to like go volunteer or do things outside of like what they have to do in life.
00:25:08
Speaker 1: You know, I do, I do, And I mean I think that's one of the things that my wife and I've talked about recently in our life. Is one of the things that's made our marriage most successful is our ability to talk about our passions at dinner outside of just like the job that we have or each other. We love each other, very passionate about each other. Yeah, but it's really fun to hear about her desires for X y Z and her to hear about my desires for golf. And she does it, and it's fun, and I think that's those are all great things. They are. Mercedes, I want to just say, I'm appreciative of you for going on this date and trusting us. Are you upset by any means that you went on this first.
00:25:54
Speaker 2: Date now, not at all. I had a great time and like he's seriously, like so such a good person, super nice. Like I had a great time with him. I just don't know right now if it's like I want to go on a second date. But I don't know. I don't know. I think I need like a few more days to like kind of think about it, to be honest.
00:26:16
Speaker 1: That's fair, that's fair. Just keep us updated. We'll follow along with you. We don't go that far. Mercedes, keep us updated, keep informing us on all of your dating life. We appreciate you jumping on here and talking about it. And we also appreciate you going to Iheart's jingle Ball, which is always a fun time. You had a fun time there at least.
00:26:36
Speaker 2: Yeah, it was so much fun. We made a blast.
00:26:38
Speaker 1: That's great. Continue to listen to famously Available. There's a lot out there right now about this first date with Mercedes and Bryce. We have the spies, We have Bryce, we have Mercedes. We have the pre date conversations, some very helpful episodes to kind of get a glimpse into what a first date is like for so many. I also just think it's very resting. The follow along, we'll see where the Bryce Mercedes friendship, relationship acquaintances go. We'll keep you updated here on Famously Available, But until next time, I've been Ben and we'll talk to you soon.
Speaker 1: iHeart podcasts, bring you the ultimate Summer of love Tree. This is famously available everybody, It's famously available. I'm your host, Ben Higgins. It's the final conclusion to this date that we've been tracking. At least we think it's the final conclusion. We were there when they met on the pod for the first time. We talked to him after the date, and I've talked to my trusted spies of the evening. Now it's time for me to connect with the star herself. Mercedes. Hello, Hello, let's hear all about it.
00:00:35
Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, we have so much to talk about.
00:00:37
Speaker 1: There's so much to talk about. Let's start from the beginning. In all transparency, I have talked to Bryce, I have talked to our spies. You are the final chapter to this first date conclusion. Walk us from the beginning. I mean, we've talked to you in the setup. But let's start with when the two of you first met each other. Walk me through that.
00:01:03
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean obviously, so Deana was podcasting with him, and then they're like, all right, Mercedes coming. It felt like I was like on a game show. But I walked in and like, initially like so cute. He's very attractive and like right off the bat, you can tell he's super personal and can talk to literally anyone, which I love. And yeah, I mean like right off the bat, I felt like super comfortable. I wasn't like super nervous. I mean I was nervous, but like not like anything crazy. So felt super comfortable in the beginning, and it started super good.
00:01:45
Speaker 1: Your outfits were matching. We've covered this on all well now three interviews we've done. Was that exciting for you?
00:01:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean we were both wearing silk looking good. I mean it definitely wasn't like a, oh my gosh, we're matching, like I don't know, I mean it was funny, like yeah, but I know we were both wearing silk. It's so funny, a.
00:02:06
Speaker 1: Little unexpected, both wearing silk, black silk.
00:02:10
Speaker 2: Uh.
00:02:11
Speaker 1: To be exact, you were looking stunning, no questions asked. You were looking absolutely gorgeous. He is a very handsome man. But there I want to go back to the time that we talked before the date, when I mentioned he had been on reality television. You did take a step back. You you acted like it wasn't a thing, but it felt like from your reaction maybe it was was it? Was it an actual thing for you?
00:02:44
Speaker 2: No? No, not really. I mean I like, like, like I said when we were on the podcast, when I first like initially think about it, I'm like, oh, like TV. But I'm like, but I've been on TV, and I also know so many great men that I've been on TV. So it was like, I don't know. I think for a second, I was like oh, but then I was like, no, it doesn't actually matter. But then he told me he was on he was on f Boy Island, and I was like, oh, but he was like one of the good ones, so it's fine.
00:03:12
Speaker 1: Yeah. F Boy Island was actually created by and produced by a former Bachelor ep along Gale.
00:03:20
Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what he was saying. I didn't know Alon is that his name.
00:03:23
Speaker 1: Yeah, he's a great guy. You missed that on a great chapter of the show. Yeah, we've mentioned also people have brought out to us that he was a complete gentleman to you from the beginning. He gave you his coat when you're waiting for an uber because you were cold. You got in this sprinter van together. Then kind of after that, it was a long drive. From your perspective, how did that drive go.
00:03:52
Speaker 2: It was good. I mean, like we conversation with him was really really easy, and honestly, I wouldn't say deep is the right word, but like I did. I don't know. He like got me to open up in ways that I don't usually open up, like right away, so I was like kind of cool. But yeah, the conversation was really really good. I wasn't expecting to be like side by side for an hour. No, that's intimidating, yeah for sure, but no, it was great. Like the conversation was good, and he like kind of told me about his life, his la and then obviously I talked about Nashville and Iowa and our families, and he told me about some stuff that he's been doing. So we definitely got to like know each other in that ride.
00:04:37
Speaker 1: For sure, there was a depth, you said to the conversation. I'm very curious what kind of things he got you to open up about that you didn't expect to open up about on a first date.
00:04:49
Speaker 2: Yeah. So we were talking about like our moms and how like moms are amazing, and then I was like, yeah, my mom had me when she was sixteen, like she's like the best thing ever. Whatever, and then we just kind of like went down that path. And I don't usually talk about my biological father to a lot of people just because it's like a whole it's a whole story. But I did with him, And so I don't know, I thought, Yeah, I just like opened up. I don't know, it's like very rare of me, especially on first date.
00:05:18
Speaker 1: So I mean, and I'm sure then, I mean, you had friends around you, You're in a sprinter van. They probably know more about you than than most Their first reaction, especially to the two of you having these kind of conversations, well, like what were they thinking, Well, I don't think.
00:05:35
Speaker 2: They heard like it was very much like us two in the conversation when that was happening, Like I like, they turned around. Gabby and Jess were in front of us, and they turned around and had like some conversation with us. But I would say most of the car ride it was just like me and him talking.
00:05:50
Speaker 1: So they yeah, like they they weren't necessarily like listening in creeping in Okay. And and Deanna had told me that she sat behind you and she was kind of watching the body language on the sprinter van ride. She mentioned that the body language was really good that you guys were, you know, sharing mutual friends. You were talking, you were laughing, and then you arrived to the actual event where there was a lot of your friends there. We had taught, we have talked about this before. How did you introduce him to people? Did you even need to or was he that good socially that you just kind of let him do his thing.
00:06:30
Speaker 2: Yeah, he's definitely good, like on his own. But I did introduce him to like Katie and Zach obviously, but he met most everyone in the sprinter van, so that was nice that like before we got to the event, he kind of knew everyone. The only people in my circle like Joe and Serena were there, but I wouldn't say I'm like close to them, so I didn't like go up to introduce him. Does that make sense, Yeah, just because I'm not like super super close with them, like I've maybe talked to him if you times, you know, So like there's definitely people I didn't introduce him there that like I knew I just wasn't close with. But I think he did really good of like just enjoying the concert and hanging out and like after the concert, we'll probably get into that.
00:07:14
Speaker 1: But yeah, we're going to get into that. The if we pause, then at this moment, you've put yourself back in the place where you've entered, the venue, he's met, the people you had, the car ride together. How are you feeling about this first date?
00:07:33
Speaker 2: Good first date? Like in that moment, I was like, Okay, this is going really good. But I will say Ben, like, I don't think I was ever at a point where I was like super excited about him, if that makes sense.
00:07:48
Speaker 1: That makes sense, And I think I think it definitely is a thing on the first date. Right. He can be attractive, he can be a gentleman, but if the chemistry and the spark isn't there, it's noticeable. You can't fake that. I'm curious. Can you help me understand why?
00:08:06
Speaker 2: Yeah? I mean I can't pinpoint it exactly, but I do think like our lifestyles are a little different, and just like in I don't want to like I don't know, hold on, how do I say this? Okay, Basically, like when we were talking in this for intervan, he had said some things that and they weren't bad by any means, Like I think this guy is great. I just know the way that I live my life and the way that he might be living his like doesn't really align.
00:08:42
Speaker 1: I mean, from what we know about you, and we've done some deep dives on you personally, you are a homebody. Yeah. That's been to your benefit and to your demise when it comes to dating. Right, you get very comfortable at home. You have some really deep loyal friendships. You From what I understand about you, you aren't like a go outer, right, Like that's not like a thing that you seek after anymore. You're getting to the age where you know, you're more likely to go to bed by nine thirty than you are to stay up till two am. And is all this right?
00:09:16
Speaker 2: Yes?
00:09:17
Speaker 1: Okay, yeah, and there's no judgment there. That's been my life for thirty six years. But it I mean knowing him and I just you know, chatted with him to day at you know, two am. He's still working. You know, music industry is different, like there is a pace to that. Is that what you're kind of talking about?
00:09:39
Speaker 2: Yeah? Yeah, because he, like he told me. I asked him, I'm like, do you like go out in la a lot? And he kind of said that, like, you know, I kind of have to for work. And he basically told me that he does go out, which no hate, Like, if you want to go out, go out, I just like don't know if my lifestyle would align with that.
00:09:58
Speaker 1: You know, Yes, I understand, uh. And I think that's a very fair you know, you know, critique or being intuitive to those things. Because you are, you know, potentially dating somebody. You don't want to be pushed into doing things later at night than you like to.
00:10:16
Speaker 2: Yeh.
00:10:17
Speaker 1: But I would like to push back on you a little bit here, yes, and say, I mean I have never been a late night person, but I did enjoy going out a lot more as a single man than I ever did once I met my wife. Once I met my wife, all I wanted to do was find reasons for us to be home.
00:10:37
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:10:37
Speaker 1: So I do think that slows things down quite a bit.
00:10:40
Speaker 2: M hmm. Well, and I feel like I've definitely been like the girl that goes out, Like I've had my time doing that. I just think in past relationships, like you just said it, like when you find someoney, you like want to be home, you want to do all that. And then so I did that with my ex, and then I like was the going out girl again. I just feel like recently, especially like I've been really like diving into my faith too, and I feel like that's why I'm not out. And I will say, like even after like we went to another bar, do you know what I'm saying, Like it wasn't like, oh, it's ten o'clock time to go home, Like it was like we still went out and we all hung out and it was great. But then like once we went home, he went out after that, you know, and I'm like, oh, could not be me. Sorry, I'm in a good bed. It's what I am, you know.
00:11:29
Speaker 1: I do want to get your opinion on this. Kathy Deanna and I did speak about this. I always had a philosophy when it came to dating, no matter how much fun I was having, that I was going to go home like at the top of the evening, you know, when things were at its best at least on the first date. Maybe not after that like kind of a ride or die, you know, second third date. I'm out with you for as long as you want to be out for. But yeah, I have I've always quote George Costanza, when you leave the party like in the middle on top, were you a little bit like frustrated that he decided to stay.
00:12:13
Speaker 2: I think frustrated is the right word, because honestly, his like him being there like wasn't affecting anyone. But I did feel like because we were like on a date, I didn't want to like hurt his feelings being like, hey, like I'm like, I'm gonna hang out with my friends. So he just like kind of came along like it wasn't No, I wouldn't say frustrated. I don't think that's the right word, but I did like after was very much like when we went to the bar after the jingle Bell, I was very much like, Okay, like dates kind of over. Now we're just like hanging out. It's like friends. Like I'm with my friends, I'm gonna give them attention and like, you know, So, did.
00:12:56
Speaker 1: You feel obligated to kind of all so entertain him or at this point was it just hey, you've met my people, let's do our thing.
00:13:05
Speaker 2: Yeah. I did feel like a little obligation, But I think that's just me as a person too, because he doesn't know anyone from Adam, and like, I don't want anyone to ever feel like uncomfortable. So I did feel an obligation, but like I said, he held his own very well and he like like it was me, Jonathan, who else was there? Just Gabby and Justin. It was us six and the vibe was great. He got he got along with everyone. He could keep up with conversation like so I didn't feel too much like I had to like be like okay, come on, which was nice.
00:13:53
Speaker 1: Before the day started, we did get an interview with you where he did mention that it's end of the night. If it went well, he'd be giving you or asking or you know, agreeing to I don't know how you want to say this and might not make somebody sound like a creeper a kiss. We do know the night did not end in a kiss, but it did end in an exchange of numbers. That seems like a good sign.
00:14:15
Speaker 2: Yeah, well he had my number four. He got my number on the bus.
00:14:20
Speaker 1: Okay, so he got your number on the bus. So he went in early and said, before anything else happens, let me make sure I get the number.
00:14:25
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:14:26
Speaker 1: It's smart, it's good, it's good, it's a good play.
00:14:31
Speaker 2: But yeah, no, didn't end in a kiss. And then he texted me and he was like, I really wanted to kiss you, and then he invited me like out, and I was like, that was when I was like, I was honestly asleep when he sent it.
00:14:41
Speaker 1: It had to be pretty late jing bawl isn't like an early night and then a bar hanging afterwards.
00:14:46
Speaker 2: It well, I think he texted me at like four am. Oh my goodness, I say, like, yeah, he had.
00:14:54
Speaker 1: A late night, Mercedes. We gotta get honest here with you. Though he told us he would like to get together again, he said he don't come to Nashville to do that. Would you say yes to a second date?
00:15:11
Speaker 2: I don't know. I feel it's not that it's like a no, but I don't know. I don't know honestly, Like I honestly, I haven't talked to him like at all, like we have been texting or anything. It's not like a one hundred percent no, But it's also not one hundred percent yes, if that makes sense. I just think, like, but again, the situation like it was a lot. It was kind of like a not a regular first date. But honestly, my gut is being like, there's no like really chemistry there. If I'm being one hundred percent honest, which I hate saying that because I don't want to hurt his feelings and like it has nothing to do with him. There's just like sometimes there's no chemistry.
00:15:57
Speaker 1: You know, you've mentioned us you would rather somebody be straightforward then play along with the game, right, So being straightforward is good here. That is something you want people to treat you like, and so you know, I would think you would want to do the same to them.
00:16:16
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:16:17
Speaker 1: I do want to ask, though, why not a second date? I mean, the chemistry, the connection, all those things. But it is a first date. And I'm always a proponent of if the first date wasn't tragically bad, like consider a second date just because first dates are awkward, They're weird, people are nervous. Yeah, you know this especially was uncomfortable. Yeah, and so why not a second date just given that context?
00:16:48
Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't know. I mean I feel like, which maybe this is like wrong of me, but I just feel like if I don't feel like excited and like and not saying I wasn't excited to get to know him, that's not the right word, but I just I didn't leave the day being like, oh my gosh, I want to see him again. You know, And I feel like that says a lot, and I don't know if I can like pinpoint one thing of like why exactly. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I do like need to give people more than just like one chance to like especially because like you said, like the situation was like not weird. Weird's not the right word, but like he was around a bunch of people, we went to a concert like on a podcast, you know, so like there are like things that played into it.
00:17:34
Speaker 1: But yeah, I'm not I definitely don't want to push you to have a second date. I just think I want to get inside your brain a little bit on your reasoning because on paper, if you write everything down, you're like, yeah, that was a good date, Like it was fine, it was a good first date. It went fine. Are you talking to anybody else? Is that what kind of plays into this?
00:17:56
Speaker 2: No, no one else, but I will say, which is is bad. But like I did like kind of compare it to my last day, my last first date, because my last FIR date, first date, I was like, oh my god, like so excited, you know, and I was like I want to see him again, like I and I just don't feel that this time but maybe, like, like comparing is not great.
00:18:20
Speaker 1: Thing to do well. And I mean, if I'm honest, just following along with your journey. It wasn't like Boston man treated you great and at the end. But I understand what you're saying. The first date, there is there was a spark. Like my first date, I will say there was a spark, there was a desire to talk again, there was an excitement, and I've also had first dates where there was a spark, there was the excitement, and then maybe the next day I was like, not as much. If we're to quantify the success of this date on a scale of one to ten, keeping in mind that this was a first date, what would be the number you'd put on it, I.
00:19:09
Speaker 2: Would say a six six point five.
00:19:12
Speaker 1: That's actually better than I thought you were gonna say.
00:19:14
Speaker 2: Oh really, yo, because like it went good, Like the conversation was good. And that's why, like it's confusing, because it really it was a good first date, and I I enjoyed getting to know him, but for some reason, I'm not like I need to see him again. You know.
00:19:31
Speaker 1: One of the best things about first dates or dating in general is it helps you kind of figure out what you're actually into and what you're not into I.
00:19:39
Speaker 2: Know, And that's what's tough about because I'm doing this podcas because like you know, I haven't dated a lot, so like this is me like going into it and like figuring out, like you just said, what I like, what I don't like and all these things. So I don't know. I'm glad I have you to like help me figure it out though.
00:19:58
Speaker 1: Well, And part of this is like I have the receipts, I have the memories of what has worked, what hasn't. What you've said you wanted, but maybe you said you wanted and you found out you didn't want, so give us. I only want to uplift Bryce here. Yeah, because I do think he took a big step. I do think he was kind. It sounds like to you, what things about Bryce stood out to you that you want to find in somebody, Like what what qualities were attractive? And then I am going to ask on the back end of that, what things maybe were you weren't as in favor of Yeah.
00:20:41
Speaker 2: Good qualities. He didn't let me open a door. He was like always helping my like holding my hand, like when I was getting in and out of the sprinter van so very much a gentleman, which I love. And then he was very like I don't know, like he made me feel like in a with all these people, he made me feel like I was kind of the only girl in the room. Like he like kept like being like, oh my gosh, like you look so beautiful, or just like complimenting me and just making me feel seen, and like, especially in being in a room with so many people, he made it like a thing to make sure that I knew that he was interested in me, which I really really really loved. Super easy to.
00:21:30
Speaker 1: Talk to and anything that stood out to you outside of obviously your different lifestyles that you didn't maybe or maybe you weren't as attractive.
00:21:43
Speaker 2: To so he me personally. I feel like when I'm dating someone like you also kind of have to like, what, Okay, Remember when I told you were like who's gonna be the hardest person to win over? Yeah, and I said Jess mm hmm. He forgot just his name like three times, and I'm like, oh, bro, So just like I think that was like really unattractive because it was three times and it happened to Gabby too once, I think. But it's just like okay, like you are getting to know me, but also like my friends are really important too, you know, like you can't like just dismiss them. Yeah, but yeah, when that happened, I was like, ooh, like that's kind of nicky.
00:22:25
Speaker 1: It is, I would say. From my perspective though, and he and I are different people, I would have just been very nervous. And maybe he wasn't maybe he's smooth. Like I just would have been very nervous for this date. There was a lot of things that would have made me anxious. Right, beautiful people, full on a bus, a beautiful date that he's having. I could see myself being overwhelmed and unable to really be myself, trying to like adjust to whatever was happening.
00:23:00
Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure.
00:23:02
Speaker 1: And I imagine a lot of men will feel that way when they go on their first date with you. I mean, I guess I say all this, Mercedes to say, you will be intimidating in the best of ways person to have a first date with. They're gonna walk into the room and they're gonna be like, goodness, gracious, I don't want to mess this up. Give me the best shot I got. What do I have to do, what do I have to say? Whatever? And that's just kind of from the male thought process what happens during this That's also why I think the thing that stood out to me the most was he didn't bounce when things were good.
00:23:35
Speaker 2: Yeah.
00:23:35
Speaker 1: I don't know what he was hoping the evening brought and what the late night evening entailed, but that's also one of my re always was one of my reasons for leaving as soon as I knew the out was open, Not because I wanted to leave, but because I knew I had done what I need to do to at least get my foot in the door for maybe that second date.
00:23:54
Speaker 2: Yeah, no, for sure, I don't. I feel like he was really nice, So there's really nothing like bad or like. But that's the only thing that I could think of was the just thing.
00:24:07
Speaker 1: Obviously, I don't know if this goes to a second date or not. That's your decision to make. You just gotta let us know if it does, or I guess either way, if we were to set you up again here soon some qualities that you like, you really want us to look for. I think it's been clear somebody of a shared faith is very important to you. Yeah, you've brought that up before. I think as you date seriously, it's probably going to become more and more of a focus. Anything else that you really want us to kind of and this isn't talking about Bryce or not talking about Bryce. We're talking in general, anything you really want people to pay attention to.
00:24:45
Speaker 2: Yeah, someone I think being family oriented is really good. I also think, like I want someone who's like which I've said this before, but also has like a passion outside of their like job. Like I feel like I want someone who finds like it exciting to like go volunteer or do things outside of like what they have to do in life.
00:25:08
Speaker 1: You know, I do, I do, And I mean I think that's one of the things that my wife and I've talked about recently in our life. Is one of the things that's made our marriage most successful is our ability to talk about our passions at dinner outside of just like the job that we have or each other. We love each other, very passionate about each other. Yeah, but it's really fun to hear about her desires for X y Z and her to hear about my desires for golf. And she does it, and it's fun, and I think that's those are all great things. They are. Mercedes, I want to just say, I'm appreciative of you for going on this date and trusting us. Are you upset by any means that you went on this first.
00:25:54
Speaker 2: Date now, not at all. I had a great time and like he's seriously, like so such a good person, super nice. Like I had a great time with him. I just don't know right now if it's like I want to go on a second date. But I don't know. I don't know. I think I need like a few more days to like kind of think about it, to be honest.
00:26:16
Speaker 1: That's fair, that's fair. Just keep us updated. We'll follow along with you. We don't go that far. Mercedes, keep us updated, keep informing us on all of your dating life. We appreciate you jumping on here and talking about it. And we also appreciate you going to Iheart's jingle Ball, which is always a fun time. You had a fun time there at least.
00:26:36
Speaker 2: Yeah, it was so much fun. We made a blast.
00:26:38
Speaker 1: That's great. Continue to listen to famously Available. There's a lot out there right now about this first date with Mercedes and Bryce. We have the spies, We have Bryce, we have Mercedes. We have the pre date conversations, some very helpful episodes to kind of get a glimpse into what a first date is like for so many. I also just think it's very resting. The follow along, we'll see where the Bryce Mercedes friendship, relationship acquaintances go. We'll keep you updated here on Famously Available, But until next time, I've been Ben and we'll talk to you soon.