Things that changed her life…{part 2}
Posted by admin on January 22nd, 2010. Filed under: Uncategorized.There are some moments that change your game, your view, your life. They start out normally, but well, they never quite end that way, do they? This is one of mine.
I wasn’t unhappy, per se, but I was lonely. It was a cold night in late fall, and I was sick of being cooped up in my tiny studio apartment, as pink-and-red and adorable as it was. I packed up my laptop, put on my coat and drove to the coffee shop. I didn’t want coffee, but I wanted people—to see humans moving about in real life, not just on my television screen; to ask someone something—even for a cup of coffee—instead of just talking to my cat.
I find a parking spot up close, get my latte and settle into an overstuffed armchair. As I type away, I notice a guy across from me looking up occasionally. We smile over our cups and I giggle when he nearly drops his laptop.
“Have you seen Google Earth?” he asks, after we’ve caught one another in the act of staring a few times.
I pull out my headphones.
“What?” I ask.
He flips his laptop to show me, and before I know it, I’m next to him on the couch, tripping to Paris and the moon and all over the world. I’m laughing and learning and my latte is gone before I know it. I set my cup down on the table, and he looks over.
“So. Wanna go for a walk?” he asks.
I pause. And then I nod, sure that this is the life of some other girl, because things like this don’t happen to me.
I send my best friend a text: Sooo…I met a guy at the coffee shop and we are walking around the park. If I don’t text you in an hour, can you come find me?
We leave the coffee shop, walking a few blocks until we reach the state capitol grounds and the endless trails and lights and beauty. We wander around, admiring the trees and stars. We listen to one another. I tell him about why I am lonely; he tells me about his family. I tell him things I haven’t told anyone, and he tears up, talking about the girl he loves who is moving out of his apartment as we walk together. There is no hand-holding, no stolen kisses, no anything. Pure honesty under a cold night sky.
When we reach my car, we say goodbye. There is no exchange of numbers, no promises to do it all again soon, no anything. He squeezes my shoulder and disappears into the night.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I see the name of the friend I’d sent a cautionary text to an hour prior. I answer, and she asks me what happened. I explain a bit, before she cuts me off.
“Was this a date?” she asks.
“No,” I tell her. “It was just a walk.”
January 22nd, 2010 at 4:42 am
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I’m not sure why it touches me the way it does, but I think it in some way restores my faith that there are good people out there, and they aren’t all out to hurt you. I’m constantly worried about the worst thing happening, and sometimes you miss out on opportunities like this that are life changing because of fear. Thank you so much for sharing this.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:04 am
Strangers are awesome sometimes. A few news stories I’ve read over the past 24 hours made me feel like I’d be safer never to leave the house again! It’s nice to be reminded that good stuff happens out there too. It also really made me want a latte! Great story.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:58 am
I would be sad that you didn’t exchange numbers with him, except that you have Andrew now and that is Good.
Beautifully written!
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:50 am
That’s a wonderful story. Its nice to know that there are still nice people out there who just want someone to listen.
I wonder how he’s doing now. . .
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 am
Sometimes the best exchanges are with strangers. It always amazes me how people come and go, most likely never to be seen again but there when you need them most.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:13 am
What a beautiful experience! Those are few and far between!
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:17 am
Sometimes you can only be honest with a complete stranger. It’s like they come into your life to help you work through something and they’re gone just as fast. This is a beautiful story.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:29 am
Sometimes we meet who we need to meet just when we need to meet them; this is such a perfect example of that. It sounds like a story from a movie or a tv series, not real life. Glad you were able to experience something so awesome. It makes me want to head to a coffee shop tonight…
)
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
Beautiful experience. Did you ever run into him again?
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
I felt like I was reading a book, I didn’t want it to stop. It’s wonderful when you can find companionship when you need it the most.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:28 am
<– remembered how I texted my BFF the address and AIM handle of Sean before heading over there LOL
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:59 am
What a great, refreshing story. It’s nice to hear of people connecting without any strings attached.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Wow.
Great story.
Maybe I should head to the coffee shop soon if for no other reason than to connect with someone.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Sometimes it is that catch-moment that can save you.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:36 pm
This was so absolutely, breathtakingly, beautiful. It made me tear up. I guess sometimes I forget that life can be like that. So simple and completely on fire.
January 22nd, 2010 at 3:40 pm
The purity of the whole situation is what gets me the most. Nothing but a walk… I love it!
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:22 pm
It’s like he was exactly what you needed, right when you needed it. Totally made me feel all weepy.
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:33 pm
very beautifully written & such a lovely story. like one of the commenters above – it’s the purity of the entire situation that moves me the most. so simple.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Actually, you are the talented writer.
No, seriously. I haven’t read something that I identified with so strongly in a while.
People tell me that the only reason I like to hang out in coffee shops is because I want to be seen there. But really, I go because I also like to see people moving about when I know that my fellow majors or the people I see day to day are off doing things and I am by myself. Writing. Which is nice, but people are nice as well.
I’m happy that things like this happen in real life. Everything about this story is perfect. I hope you guys find each other again – and that you write a sequel to this entry.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:44 am
Thanks for stopping by my blog! It’s all new and un-trafficked, so I’m flattered.
I think this is one of my favorite posts you’ve done – it’s written like a great short story, with the added bonus of being non-fiction.
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:55 am
Beautifully written, and a beautiful moment.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:35 am
Wow, Amy. This was so beautifully written and such a great story to read. I loved, loved, loved it!
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Wow, this is beautiful. It’s so great when people connect like that. It’s so good for us.
January 23rd, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Do you know how much I gushed reading this? It’s like a movie plot or straight out of a romantic book. The romantic little girl in me wants you to meet him again, maybe somewhere. Is that so naive of me?:)
Beautiful story!
January 24th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
This is one of those posts that sheds light in an otherwise dark and lonely world.
It brings hope, and hope is something everyone needs.
January 25th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
OMG I wanted him to ask for your phone number and for you to go out on lots of romantic dates and then get engaged in Paris and then get married in a really fabulous awesome Plantinum Wedding-esque wedding and then have lots of babies and live happily ever after.
You have crushed my dream.
But that was a beautiful story and I loved it and wow.
February 1st, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Aww, that’s sweet. I wish stuff like that would happen to me. *pout*
February 15th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I love this. How wonderful.