It's really interesting how one little comment can shift the direction of your whole life - sometimes without you even knowing it. I had hung out with a co-worker from job for several years. We went to conferences together and generally socialized in the same circle but somehow I never met or even heard him refer to his best friend. One evening we were at gathering together and I had just finished up a phone call where my current squeeze was telling yet again that he couldn't make it to the party. I expressed my frustration over not being able to find "a good man" to everyone within earshot. All the women gave me their "honey, I've been there look" while all the men sighed at this all too common complaint. Anyway, my coworker asked me if I would be interested in going on a blind date with his best friend. He described all the usual attributes women want hear - nice, employed and handsome. I looked at my coworkers girlfriend for a second opinion and she gave me the thumbs up.
We arranged for a double date to relieve the blind date pressure. We decided on bowling since it requires a great balance of activity, competition but enough time to chat. The day of our date, I was later told, my date informs my coworker that he is tired and doesn't want to meet up. Well, my friend and coworker told him under no circumstances will he stand me up and that he better get his lazy butt to that bowling alley! When he arrived we actually passed each other on the stairs because I was frantically looking for my wallet. I was preoccupied and only slightly noticed him. He told me later that he really noticed me and hoped that the woman he was about to met was as equally good looking. When I finally returned upstairs he had his back to me as I approached my coworker and his girlfriend. The next moment in my mind happened in slow motion. He turned slowly and looked just like I hoped he look. I took a breathe, that breathe that every woman takes when you let yourself wonder - could he be the one? The evening progressed nicely and he revealed himself to be all the other things I hoped and prayed for as well.
Two years after our blind date we were married and have remained happily, happily married for 15 years. Without question my husband is my favorite person on earth. Every day he seems to be able to amplify my happiness. We have invested a lot of time and effort into our marriage. Our goal was and continues to be happily married and that takes more hardwork than most people realize!
I encourage all my single friends not to rule out blind dates - take a step of faith because your blessing could be just a breath away!
Kwame and Dawn Dixon, Angier
