Dear Jana,

I feel really lucky to have met you last night.

I’ve been working way too hard for way too long. It’s been worth it and I’ve accomplished a lot but lately I’ve really started to show signs of burn out. With that as well as being so far from familiar surroundings I’ve not really had any social life or any close friends for a long, long time. That’s just not particularly healthy.

On an impulse, I dropped into the club last night actually hoping I might run into Harold. I haven’t seen him in while and he hasn’t been answering his phone. I like the guy and he’s always good for a laugh or two. Of course I know he’s probably been grinding away as hard as I have.

Anyway, I was half way through my first drink when I noticed you over by the door talking to some guy. I’m usually only casually interested in the other people in a restaurant or bar but with you there seemed to be something different, unusual. I can’t seem to think of the word I actually mean. But I kept on watching you while trying not to stare rudely.

In any case, I suddenly started hoping the guy you were talking to would leave. I was more than a little surprised when, a few minutes later, he actually did leave. It had looked like you and he were there together for the evening.

I don’t usually buy drinks for strangers but last night it just seemed to sort of happen. I told the waiter to buy you a drink on my tab and thought that might be the end of it; maybe just a nod of your head for a thank you. But you came over to my table and all you actually said was, “Thank you for the drink,” and somehow just those five words sounded like a halleluiah chorus.

We didn’t seem to have much of a brilliant conversation after that but I’ve only a very few times felt such a sense of “rightness” or comfort with someone I’ve just met. Afterwards I tipped the waiter outrageously.

I hope I see you again. I think I’m going to have to adjust my work schedule to include a little social time from now on.

Me