It was a lovely evening when I found myself at a friend’s monthly literary salon, a delightful escape from the dreary, rainy days that had preceded it. The calmness of the air amidst the lively Manhattan streets felt like a breath of fresh air. My husband, Tom, was in Midtown, planning to pick me up after his event. We both assumed he’d finish first, but there was a delay retrieving his car from the parking garage. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and start walking.
“I’ll head south on Amsterdam, and you can drive north whenever you get the car. We’ll probably meet around 72nd and Broadway,” I texted him.
“Sounds good,” he replied.
Wearing my relatively comfy wedge shoes, I strolled through familiar streets, reflecting on how much had changed—and how much remained the same—since our move from Manhattan to the suburbs. The memorial chapel where I had attended my childhood best friend’s grandfather’s funeral was still there, as was the restaurant across the street where I had one of my most disastrous first dates. A new yogurt shop had opened, along with a nail salon I used to frequent, and a wine store that had undergone a name change, but the same location endured.
“I’m in the car heading up 8th. Where are you?” he texted.
“Low 70’s on Broadway,” I replied.
“Stop wherever you are, and I’ll come get you,” he insisted.
I walked to a corner to make it easier for him to find me and to catch a glimpse of his car driving up the street. As the neon sign of the West Side Restaurant came into view, I felt a smile creep onto my face. Of course, I would end up here. I snapped a picture of the diner and sent it to him.
“I’m here!”
“Be right there.”
This diner was our special place—the scene of our first, unofficial date, which felt straight out of a romantic comedy featuring stars like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. It was never meant to be a date, I reminded myself, considering I was in ragged pajamas with no makeup on. But there we were, laughing as a mutual friend held an umbrella over my head while I splashed my flip-flops in puddles.
We settled into a booth by the window, oblivious to the messy bun atop my head, as we chatted through the early morning hours. I savored pancakes drenched in syrup, while he enjoyed scrambled eggs and fries. The rain eventually stopped, and the sun rose, illuminating the connection that had sparked between us.
Neither of us claimed it was love at first sight, but we knew there was something special—a chemistry that felt unlike anything we’d experienced before. We spent three hours in that booth on Labor Day of 2002, and from there, our journey unfolded: we dated, became engaged, married, bought a house, and welcomed two children into our lives.
Yet, amidst the joy and challenges, romance often took a backseat to the realities of parenthood and daily life. There were times I felt he had forgotten about the spark we once shared, especially as my 35th birthday approached. I found myself wishing for a grand gesture, despite knowing that’s not really his style.
He was vague about my birthday attire, merely suggesting “nice,” which left me puzzled. I confided to my friends that I had no clue about his plans, feeling a bit silly for building up my expectations. But when we got into the car, dressed up, and he took me toward Manhattan, my heart raced at the thought of a fancy dinner.
As we walked together, running late due to the kids’ extended goodbyes, I felt a mix of excitement and concern about missing our reservation. When we rounded the corner, my heart sank as I realized our destination was the diner. I felt a few tears well up, knowing it wouldn’t be fancy, but also recognizing that it was perfect.
He had called ahead to save our booth. I ordered pancakes drenched in syrup, and he had scrambled eggs and fries, all for just $26 (including tip). In that moment, I knew there was nowhere else I would have rather been—especially not anywhere but across from him in that booth.
Even now, as I reminisce about that evening, I realize that it’s those simple moments that define our love.
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In summary, even as life becomes hectic, it’s essential to cherish the small moments that reaffirm our connections. Whether it’s a diner date or an unexpected surprise, love can thrive in the unlikeliest of places.