Surprise Works Both Ways

Heh. Just when I thought I was being all slick, all of a sudden Sally changes the game on me.

I thought this was just going to be another night. I have a club that I go listen to live music every month (when I am not traveling for work, that is) and tonight was my night. I had told Sally about this earlier today. I knew that she was heading to a home sales party at a friends place.

She and I are texting back and forth while I am sitting at a Starbucks near the venue and having a great time. She is now about to head to the party, so I told her that I'd text her later. A few hours pass and I arrive at the venue. I sit down and order up my dinner. At this point, I thought, why don't I check in with Sally and see how she's doing? Great idea. Music is going to be starting shortly, so now is a great time to check in.

So I send my message off to her and she tells me that everything is about over and she's about to head out. She also tells me that she is hungry and needs to eat. I told her, you should go do that. I know what it's like to have your blood sugar just go kaput. Not a pretty picture. But, I did tell her that if she came to where I was, I would happily buy her dinner. She told me that she thought it would be too long and I agreed. It is quite a hike from where she was to where I am. I also told her that I knew it would put her out past her normal bed time.

Still, I did tell her where it was and I made a point of noting that I wasn't about to assume anything. I would always want to give her the option to say yes, as she very might well say yes. So that was where we left the conversation.

About an hour later, I get a response to the last text that I sent her. She talked about how long her drive was. So, I asked her what she decided to eat. She responds and tells me she hasn't decided yet. Now, at this point, in my head I'm like -- Huh? You haven't eaten? What's going on? Why not?

Then she asks me "what is good?'. At this point, I am completely puzzled and I asked her what she meant by that. She replied and said that she wanted to know what was good because she was outside and about to walk in the front door of the venue!!!

Oh my god! I couldn't believe it!!! She actually showed up!!!

This totally caught me off guard and so surprised me I almost didn't know what to do.

I left my chair right up by the stage and ran out to greet her as she came through the door. I was so happy to see her, I was just beside myself. How wonderful is this? I got us a table together. We sat down and ordered some food for her. For the next hour and a half, we sat together and held hands, listened to music, talked with and enjoyed each others company.

About this time, I started noticing that she was starting to fade (and so did she), so we got her out of there and headed back to the car. I walked her out and we kissed a little on the sidewalk before she headed to her car. I went back into the venue and stayed through the second set. Sally and I said good night in the customary manner (via text message) prior to her going to sleep.

She noted several times during our being together how uncharacteristic and how outside her comfort zone this was for her. I know that it was and I acknowledged and appreciated that with her. I was very complementary towards her, because she really deserved it. She didn't need to come out to see me, she obviously wanted to.

In spite of all the reasons why not to do it, she took the initiative to drag herself from where she was (a long way away) to be with me for just a little while. It may not seem like much to you, but I can tell you it means a lot to me. It's enough to make a grown man want to cry tears of  happiness.

To have someone care enough about you to go above and beyond is a real gift.

It one of the things that I truly love about her.

So, yes, it's true -- surprise does work both ways. It's a good reminder to me to not take anything for granted, especially where Sally is involved! :-)