He talked about her as if it happened a few days ago. Riding on a subway in New York 30 years ago and just thinking this would be a normal commute home from a long work day. And then "it" happened. His eyes met with a stunningly beautiful brunette and she shyly glanced away after a split second. The beauty of her eyes took his breath away as his mind started gathering the courage for the next step in this encounter. He knew his next stop was in 15 minutes and realized this could be happening for a reason in his life. Every minute or two, they would glance at each other but both would shy away. Now his heart was racing a little more because there was something very special about her and he realized that timing was everything. His stop was getting closer and he was beginning to understand that one does not get a second chance at a first impression. The first words spoken could make or break his chances with this potential made in Heaven future life time relationship. Glancing at his watch made him realize that the phrase "Now or Never" decision was within three minutes. Now his Heart was about to come out of his chest with anxiety.
Finally, the time had come after ten plus shy glances and he watched her get up at his stop and exit the train. His legs were weak and almost in wet cement as he struggled to exit the train--but "still" not knowing what to say. As she walked away in a different direction, she turned back and gave him the most beautiful and incredible smile that just melted his heart. He was both devastated and heart broken at his lack of ability to have the courage to meet her . He slept very little that night. For the next two weeks , he looked for her at that stop and stayed for later stops just in case. But ---she was gone "FOREVER" along with her Beautiful smile ! He vowed to never fail to go after what he wanted in life.
In 1967, another young man was driving out of town late one afternoon when he passed a beautiful brunette that he had never seen before. He too made eye contact and her eyes were stunning. This was a small Southern town so he knew she had to be new to the town. He turned his car around and followed her to a gasoline service station. As her car was being pumped gasoline by the attendant, he was driving down the street building up the courage--and the words to stop and introduce himself. The fueling was finished and his "now or never" time was upon him. As he pulled in , he noticed that she had a decal on her car from a Women's University that just so happened to be the same one his Sister was attending. A great opening line and thank goodness she knew his Sister. So far so good. He then asked her to go get a coke with him and she said "sure-follow me". That was "not" her intention as she weaved in between the backed up traffic and left him stranded in the traffic jam. Mean while, she drove home very fast and parked behind the house--turning all the lights off. And hid in the front to watch. He went back to the station and asked the attendant -his childhood friend ,"who was that girl"? His friend did not know so he asked to pull the credit card information and to borrow a phone book. That worked so while she was hiding in the kitchen, the phone rang and he said , "hi this is the guy you left at the service station". Luck would have it that her Parents and entire family came in while she was on the phone and vouched for him because they knew his family. He was invited out that night and met the family. They were married a year and two days later and today have a Daughter and Son and two Granddaughters. He was crazy about her then and still is today after 43 years of marriage.
It could have been a lost family and marriage like the New York subway "lost love" 30 years ago. But it wasn't. That was me 44 years ago and I feel lucky to have made the effort to find her. Never give up. You just have to go for it in life.
Jim Martin
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