I dropped Zoe off at a birthday party this afternoon and decided I needed to find somewhere fun to eat. Our family is beginning a healing diet tomorrow so I wanted something that I wouldn’t be eating for awhile – if ever again. The heavens opened up and a ray of sunshine bathed Panera in a soft glow. O.K. It was the only non-fast food I could find since I was in an unfamiliar part of Denver. The plan was to eat while reading my book, then hit the local library book outlet across the street. I had two kid-free hours to enjoy. But plans change.
As I stood there deliberating between the Turkey Panini and the Cheddar Broccoli soup, a friendly, well dressed, red-headed woman joined the line behind me. She commented on not knowing what to order. I assumed she was talking to me since the cashier had stepped away for a minute and we were the only two standing there. So I replied back that it was indeed hard to choose from such a broad variety of soups and sandwiches. I ordered, paid, and waited for my food while sipping an iced chai. (I’m going to miss those!)
I assume I’m in the minority of people who like to occasionally dine alone since most of the time, you see people eating in couples or groups. I don’t mind the quiet time to myself, and it sort of ticks me off when wait staff act like that’s just weird and sad to be dining alone…anyway…
I found a seat and began organizing my food. (Stop laughing – yes I organize that too.) I noticed the lady that had been behind me in line was looking for a place to sit alone too. My first instinct was to get her attention and ask her to join me, but I stopped myself. I’m observant when I choose to be and my inner Sherlock Holmes kicked in. She wasn’t in a hurry – she was dining in. She had no wedding band which most likely meant she was either single, divorced, or widowed. She didn’t look like a serial killer, though she may have wondered about me when I finally decided to walk over and ask her if she’d like to join me. She stared at me for a minute – maybe letting her inner Sherlock process the invitation. I said, “Excuse me, would you like to join me for lunch?” She stared and said, “Um” while looking confused. I was a complete stranger after all. “I just noticed that you and I are both dining alone and thought maybe a little conversation would be nice.” She thought about that for a second and said, “I guess that would be o.k.” and came to join me at my table.
An hour later we were exchanging phone numbers and email addresses and talking about the possibility of meeting for lunch again in the future. We agreed that we don’t believe in chance, and that it had been a pleasant way to spend an hour. I look forward to seeing Sandy again and getting to know her better. I have a new friend because I chose to step out of my comfort zone and ask a stranger to have lunch with me.
As I was driving to pick Zoe up, I thought about courage and what I had done. It struck me that it wasn’t so different than what we do with our street kids and yet I was more nervous asking Sandy to lunch. Then I thought about Dana. He was one of Benny’s roommates in college. He was at home in York, PA and hanging out at the mall, sitting on a bench when Dr. Roberts, the President of our college at the time, sat down beside him . They struck up a conversation, and that’s how Dana came to York College…in Nebraska. An invitation from a random stranger. Because of that conversation he now has a beautiful wife and daughters, good friends all over the country, and we had the honor of him being a groomsmen in our wedding.
I enjoyed having lunch with a stranger today. Who knows what friends are waiting for me out there?
Sometimes I Write 