Me: How often do these trains arrive?
Her: Oh, usually about every 10 minutes. I think it’s slower because of the holiday.
Me: Oh, makes sense. So where are you headed today?
Her: Seattle.
Me: Oh really? I just came from there.
Her: Really? Do you live there?
Me: Yeah, just visiting MN for the holidays. Do you live here?
Her: I’m living here for my fellowship but I’m from Seattle.
Me: So we’re swapping cities. I’m Devo, by the way.
Her: Hi, I’m Jessica (not her real name, fyi)

(Then we chat about Seattle and Mpls, smile, etc. There’s something here, it’s easy between us. The train eventually arrives and we chat on the train until the next stop.)

Her: (looks at me like she’s waiting for something) This is my stop. It was really nice to meet you.
Me: (Oh no, now what…do something! Get her number! Do I have a pen? Do I give her my business card? There’s no time!) Yeah, nice to meet you too. Have a nice time in Seattle.
Her: Thanks… (smiles, gets off train)
Me: (I’m kicking myself. Arrrrrggggghhhh! You can’t miss opportunities like this. Tired, out of it, whatever. It doesn’t matter what the excuse, it’s still an opportunity missed. I mean, that was romantic. A chance encounter on Christmas Eve on the train platform as we fly to each other’s cities. I’m an idiot! I should know better by now! Doh doh doh!)

Later, at home…
(On the Dec. 26th I’m at home. I think back to my brief exchange on the train. I know her first name, her school, and her department. It’s not enough to look her up online anywhere. But I think there was something there betweem us. I should do SOMETHING. I find her department’s website and email them…

To: Her School
From: Devo
I’m trying to reach a student named Jessica who’s now at the __________ in Minneapolis, MN. We had our conversation cut short on Christmas eve day. If you could pass along my message to her that would be great.

(Ok, I did something; I could put my mind at ease. I felt like chances were slim, the department could simply ignore that message, or they could pass it along and then she could go “This guy is crazy. DELETE.” Whatever. I’ve done all I could. It’s up to fate. But then, a couple days later, the 29th, I get an interesting email…)

To: Devo
From: Jessica
I was contacted by my school today and they forwarded your email and message. How is your holiday going? Are you still in Minnesota? Hope you survived the snow storm! I’m back in St. Paul after my short trip home.

(Well, holy crap it worked! When I saw that name pop up in my inbox I was elated! Connection re-established. Turns out I am not crazy and did, in fact, read her signals correctly. I enjoy this for a while before replying. And then I think to myself, I got this far, I may as well go for it and try see her while I’m in town. I write back…)

To: Jessica
From: Devo
I’m happy to hear from you. Surprised too…it was a shot in the dark with the school. But it turns out you’re the only Jessica grad student in the department. Anyway, you were cute and fun to talk to on the light rail. I wanted a chance to get to know you better…but your stop came quickly. And in my defense I had been up for about 24 hours so I was a bit out of it. I head back to Seattle tomorrow evening. Could you meet for a cup of coffee/tea this afternoon around 3 or 4? Or perhaps tomorrow morning around 10?

(Now we’ll find out just what we’re dealing with. Again, the chances of meeting are slim simply on a logistical level. Maybe here’s where she ignores the message or says it won’t work? I get this reply shortly after I sent my message…)

To: Devo
From: Jessica
I think I am also the only student who ventured to Minnesota for a fellowship, so it was easy for the school to track me down! I don’t get off work until 4 today and I have to work tomorrow until 4 as well. What time do you leave tomorrow? I am close to the airport, so I could meet you tomorrow afternoon around 4:15/4:30 before you head out! I understand you may be rushed tomorrow. Let me know if this is a possibility.

(I’m thrilled at this point. There’s chemistry between us, we want to see each other. It’s a testament to how quickly these things can happen. We spent maybe 10-15 minutes together on that train. That’s not long. I write back…)

To: Jessica
From: Devo
Yes, good idea on that by the way. MN in the winter. Good thinking.
I figured you probably had to work. But both today or tomorrow at 4:30 pm could work. Tonight I am meeting a few of my buddies around 6:30 but I’m open before that. Then tomorrow my flight leaves at 6:30 pm.
Hmmm…
We could do something really crazy and meet at the airport tomorrow at 4:30. There’s a Starbucks there near baggage claim. I could check in and get rid of my luggage and go downstairs for a while before going through security.
I mean, everyone agrees how fun it is to hang out at the airport, right?

(An airport for a first date?! Who does that? She did say she was close so I figured it’s within the realm of possibility. Let’s see where this goes…)

To: Devo
From: Jessica
I think tomorrow will work better with my schedule. Starbucks at 4:30 sounds good – it only makes sense given we are both Seattlites! You think it’s near baggage claim? I’m not sure exactly where it is but I’ll find it. Have fun with your friends tonight.

(Boom. Date. Now, will she show up? I’m going to be there anyway so I have nothing to lose. I then write back one more message giving her my mobile number and asking for hers. She sends it to me. I then go out with my buddies in Minneapolis and have a great time. We went to all sorts of places and talked to several women. We also drank way too much. But it was a fun New Years Eve Eve. (More on that later) Next, date time…)

At the Airport, the next day, New Years Eve…
(I check in for my flight and I send Jessica a text message letting her know I’m almost ready. She writes back that she got off work early and was there. She showed up! It’s going to happen!)

At Starbucks…
(I walk by baggage claim and then I see her on the benches. She gets up and smiles right away. She’s wearing the same coat as before. It’s a cute winter jacket.)

Me: Hi Jessica. It’s great to see you.
Her: Hi Devo. Thanks.

(Honestly, I don’t remember the specifics of this initial exchange very well. It was a bit awkward but fun too. We get drinks from Starbucks, I paid, and then we find a place to sit. We talk for about 30 minutes about random things, getting to know each other. Work, travel, music, hobbies, family, differences between MN and Seattle. Then, we get interupted…)

Service worker: Sorry guys, I need to bring carts to that closet (that we’re blocking).
Us: Oh, no problem. (We get up to move.)
Her: Should we sit here? (points at chairs)
Me: How about we take a little walk?
Her: Oh sure, you’ll be sitting on the plane.

(We start walking.)

Me: How tall are you?
Her: (Looks at me a bit oddly.) 5′ 7″…why?
Me: Just curious, it’s tough to guess. That’s a good height. I’m 5′ 12″. (One of my tests)
Her: (Gives me the cutest tilted head sideways glance. Smiles.)
Me: (She passed.)
Her: So tell me, how many girls have you picked up on the light rail before? (smiles)
Me: (chuckles) I like the light rail. I do pretty well here. I’m one for one. (smiles)

(We then walk and chat some more and eventually find some somewhat isolated benches. We sit kitty-corner from each other and chat for a bit more. I check the time. 5:15 pm. My plan to bring in the Swedish New Year is running late. I’m choking. I sum up my courage figuring that the worst that could happen is she says no and we go our seperate ways. I go for it…)

Me: This has been fun. I wish I didn’t have to leave.
Her: (sigh) Yeah, me too.
Me: So I have to catch my flight fairly soon. But first, it’s now 2010 in Sweden. I think we should kiss to bring in the new year.

(I can’t really describe the look she gave me. I think there were several emotions/reactions that went through her mind. “Is he serious?” “I’d like that” “We’re in an airport!” “This is strange”, etc. She settles on…)

Her: (smiles) Ok.

(I kiss her.)

Me: Happy New Year.
Her: Happy New Year.

(Make out. It was nice, tender. Happy 2010 Sweden indeed!)

Me: That was nice. I really, really wish I didn’t have to go.

(We both check the time.)

Her: It’s 5:15, we’re 15 minutes past Swedish New Year. (smiles) But whatever. (smiles)
Me: Come on, I’ll walk you back to the entrance.

(We walk back and talk about when we could next see eachother. It’s not good news. Months apart.)

Me: Have fun tonight.
Her: You too, have a safe flight. Don’t lose my number.
Me: I won’t. One more…

(Goodbye kiss.)