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First dates are all about setting first impressions, and Bruce Lee set high standards for that. His wife, Linda Lee Cadwell was his student before the couple fell in love. Happily married with two kids, their fairytale did come true. However, their fondness for each other began during one of Lee’s sessions.
In Lee’s memoirs written by Matthew Polly, Linda described how the couple met for the first time. During one of his teaching sessions, Lee decided to muster the courage and ask Linda out. How did he go about it? Let’s find out!
Bruce Lee charms his way through a date
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What seemed like a regular training session turned into an extremely special day for Linda. During the regular running and warming up, Lee saw a chance and immediately cornered Linda. The now-retired teacher first thought that her instructor was going on about his regular lessons and would teach her a new move. However, Lee paused for a moment and asked her out for dinner.
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via Getty
Publicity portrait of Bruce Lee from the film ‘The Way of the Dragon,’ 1972. (Photo by Warner Brothers/Getty Images)
At first, Linda thought her instructor meant dinner for the entire class. But Lee clarified that it would only be him and her. That’s how the Little Dragon scored his first date with his soulmate for life. The couple decided to secretly meet up at a high-end restaurant, where both wore their best fits.
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In the process of setting a good impression, Bruce Lee outdid himself. With a ravishing tailored black suit and shimmering purple shirt, Linda was reminded of her favorite actor George Chakiris. Mesmerized, she recalled in the memoirs,?“I was instantly charmed”. Linda wore a borrowed outfit since she couldn’t reveal her romantic adventures at home. Although she was shy and didn’t know what to talk about, Lee was able to ease her into the date.
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The couple had one of the best nights. He even revealed his big plans of opening a chain of Kung Fu schools across America. The date ended with an adorable gift from Lee – a Scandinavian kewpie doll with a special feature. Lee had braided the doll’s hair into two pigtails to resemble a hairstyle that Linda often sported. Talk about setting high standards for a first date! Although the couple’s marital life ended tragically after Lee’s death, Linda still holds him in her memories.
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