From the old to the young, the romantics to the cynics, and the messers to the straight shooters, maitre d' Mateo Saina has welcomed a wide range of people to the First Dates restaurant.
Once the daters are seated - having struggled with the push and pull of the front door - many open themselves up, allowing for gorgeous conversations, and sharing insights into lives with a myriad of passions and interests.
On tonight's episode, the show introduced viewers to Renata, a Lithuanian woman who was enjoying a 17-year love affair with Ireland.
"I arrived here on the 14th of February," Renata told the cameras. "Valentine's Day."
Living in Galway, the 37-year-old had a long list of attributes at the ready when describing the man of her dreams. As well as being kind and active, with a love for animals, Renata wanted to meet someone taller than her with a "strong body" that could rival her own.
In the end, the magical matchmakers paired the Galway girl with 34-year-old strongman John from Mayo.
Over drinks - in between flexing their muscles and comparing their 'guns' - Renata revealed that, although she worked for a medical device company, her true passion lay in her role as a part-time soldier.
Having served with the Irish army reserve for the past four years, the 'Gunner' told John that she took on the role as she wanted to give a piece of herself to Ireland:
"I suppose I wanted to belong to something," she said. "It's hard to explain but when you're a foreigner, you kind of just... no matter how long you live here, or anywhere, you just still feel like you want that kind of stamp, you know? Just to belong to something."
"I wanted to give something of me to Ireland. Ireland has been good to me."
With a clear connection growing between the two, Renata began to explain why she had such a lust for life, sharing vulnerable stories including the loss of her father and the separation of her marriage.
Although she described her ex as a "lovely guy" she said she couldn't stay in the marriage as they spent too much of their time sitting on the sofa watching soaps.
As the date went on, John opened up to Renata about his life, sharing that he had been in a serious car crash with his family when he was just 13, and all were lucky to be alive.
"I wouldn't say I liked what has happened, but it was a big turning point in my life, and I like the value that it taught me," he said.
When the time eventually came to speak with producers, the two agreed that their date was a success, with a very happy Renata admitting that John was "exactly what she had asked for".
You can watch First Dates back on the RTÉ Player now.
