I'm writing this one a little bit earlier than usual this week, mainly because I'll be traveling this
weekend for work, and the cosmos have kicked in. If you're wondering, you really need to stop reading now and move along because you really don't know me, and dude, I never write without liquid courage. How do you think I made it through grad school with straight A's? It definitely wasn't on my wit and charm alone!
And if you're still wondering. The drink. I mean the drink. Not the heavens, because the universe seems to have decided I'm its cosmic clown of dating!
OK, back to the blog.
I've decided to dedicate the number nine spot to……..
Drumroll, please (insert your own drumroll here, and if you do, you'd better record it and send it to me because I want to see how many weird ways people can make a drum roll)
T! The "I've met you three times and don't remember you from any of the events, and yet, sat next to you on a plane ride home from Florida where we both happened to weirdly be at the same time, and you hit on me again!" dude.
The only reason T gets the number 9 spot and not any higher is, OMG, the experiences only get better from here!
There's a quote by Paulo Coelho that says, "Everything that happens once can never happen again. But Everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time." And T proved that.
T seems to have embodied that in every way possible.
I didn't think you could meet someone on three separate occasions and completely forget who they are. Then sit next to them on a Southwest flight and hit on them again! I'm amazed yet in total awe of the lack of memory retention.
Well, that and I can't believe that in all my awesomeness, someone actually flushed me from his memory enough that he reached out to me again!
And just so we are all aware (this is a total tangent), the universe really does like to mess with me because if you've never been on a Southwest flight (and shame on you if you haven't experienced that blood pressure-raising experience of trying to get a good position, so you don't have to sit in the middle, airlines), you know that seat selection is random on who you want – or don't want – to sit next to.
But I digress.
Let's start back at the beginning when I was living in New Mexico.
(Insert eye roll) yes, this guy goes back that far.
I met T, as I do with almost every person of the male persuasion, on a dating app. I honestly don't remember which one at this point, but I was excited to see that he was from Florida originally and had some things in common with me.
Can I get a shoutout for the Publix cult (only FLA peeps will get that reference, so don't bother asking. BUT the fried chicken and cakes are the bomb! I seriously make that my first stop every time I go home).
OK, back to the story.
So I meet T at a restaurant in Albuquerque. The southern part of it. Great place, and we had a great conversation. I learned he lives in Colorado, but he's down there all the time, so we agreed to meet up the next time he was in town. Fast forward, and we met up, but I had an issue with an event that was going on, so we called it a quick night and went on our way. That was the last I heard from him.
Or so I thought.
Two years later, I move to Colorado, and who appears in my dating DMs but T. And I'm like 'cool! He's cute, and I really enjoyed the conversation'.
T: Hi there!
Me: Hey. How have you been? (thinking he remembered me)
T: I'm doing well. So, tell me about yourself.
I really do need to stop staring at my phone in amazement. It gets me nowhere, yet I need to do it when weirdness happens.
Me: I'm doing well. What would you like to know (OK, two can play this game)?
This dude legitimately did not remember me. Me! Super awesome, amazingly fun, quirky me. And I was simultaneously butt hurt and fascinated enough to keep this thing going.
By the way. If you've ever had the chance to experience those emotions simultaneously, it's quite a confusing place to be. You don't know whether to go SERIOUSLY or just let the drama play out.
Of course, I chose the latter because I make bad decisions.
We agree to meet up and have drinks at a place in Cherry Creek. (basically, a place that's great to visit and hang out, and unless you are LOADED, you really can't live in this three-block area. But we all try. We all try).
I'm excited and think this will be fun. We can hang out, and maybe this time, it will work.
Yeah. No.
He proceeded to talk about his ex-wife and how they get family pics together (which I actually applaud co-parenting. If you all can get along and raise your children together. Do it!). Which I said was cool. We have a great time, and then we end the date.
He hugs me, and we don't agree on anything, and I assume that's the last I'll hear from him.
I REALLY need to stop assuming the universe is done with toying with me. Seriously. I just need to stop.
About two years go by. Ish.
You know the whole COVID, life, grad school, foreign dude, happens (just go back and read the old blogs), and I'm happy in my new role as cool girlfriend to the really cool British dude who has an amazing job that has to do with booze.
ANNNNDDDDD, the universe dumps T back in my lap. Not just dumps but puts him into every dating app that I've ever been on direct messages.
I kid you not! I don't know if it was a test or just a cosmic joke that the one guy I actually get nervous around shows back up when I think (important word here) in a happy relationship.
And OMG, was he persistent.
I finally, finally, agree to go out with him for coffee. I figured what harm could there be. We haven't seen each other in years. Yeah, I've changed physically, but I'm happy in my relationship, and hey, could be a fun ex-Florida friend.
So, we meet again in Cherry Creek. And we start chatting. After about, oh, a minute or so, I realize he really doesn't remember me. Seriously doesn't.
He thinks I'm a completely different person.
And me. Well, let's just say I can be a bit of an ass sometimes.
I played into this like no one's business.
Not that I was going to do anything, but why would the world hand me this, this little tidbit, and not let me play it up for a bit?
(I even asked R and J if this was a test)
We had a good time and left it at a casual. Maybe we'll have coffee again.
And for those who are not in the dating world, that is code for I am never seeing you again, but thanks for spending the time interviewing me like I'm getting a new job. Seriously, it sucks.
Moving forward a few months, I'm flying home from Tampa after working and seeing my family. I get on this lovely Southwest flight early (I have enough flight miles that I don't get heart palpitations anymore when I book a flight with them). Sit in my usual third or fourth-row seat next to the window. Plop my headphones in and close my eyes so no one will talk to me (I really am the worst travel companion because I will ignore you and sleep the entire flight if I can).
The next thing I know, I feel movement next to me. I open my eyes to see if I need to move anything near my feet and who's next to me, but T.
Have I shared with you how much I hate talking to people on planes….not a fan.
Anyway, I'm thinking – well, hell, this is awkward.
He looks at me with a complete lack of recognition on his face and says hello. Isn't it a lucky thing I sat next to you?
By this time in my existence, I just let it play out. I mean, Groundhog Day happens for a reason, I suppose. I will say, though, that I give him props. He upped his charm game, and he walked me to baggage claim to get my suitcase.
(Yes, I check my bag. Sue me. I don't want to lug it on a plane and fight for space. I never got that.)
He asked me for my number again, and this time I decided to give him my work number because why not?
Nothing came from it, but I have to say. There is a certain charm in the complete flushing of someone from your memory.
It really was similar to that movie 50 First Dates.
You remember, where he made a videotape of their life so that she'd remember every time she woke up. There was a sweetness in that, but in reality, it kind of plays on your ego a bit.
I will admit.
As much as I hate talking to people on planes, I really do love meeting new people.
And maybe the whole Sunshine of the Spotless Mind type of reality works for some people.
However, I am thinking, for now, I'll remember the people I meet with some fondness, some WTF, and some, well, that didn't work, did it? attitude.
And maybe, just maybe, they'll remember me the same way.
Until then, I will enjoy the rest of my cosmo and consider who will win the 8th spot in my top ten list.
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