Unexpected Friendship

As John and I walked down the snowy streets of Manhattan, we were scanning for a restaurant that wasn’t too crowded. Italian, Thai, Chinese, or Mexican? We hadn’t ventured into a Mexican restaurant on our trip yet, so we thought we’d give one a try.

“20-30 minute wait,” the hostess said.

We didn’t want Mexican food that much…so we thought we’d give the Italian place next door a try – “Osso Buco.”

After checking out coats in with the “coat girl,” John and I were led up a few stairs to a mid-level seating area. There were three tables side by side…each designed for two people each. With one couple already seated on the right, we were invited to sit at the middle table.

“Can we have this table?” I asked as I pointed to the table farthest away from the couple already seated.
“That table is reserved,” we were told.

There’s something about sitting extremely close to another party that feels a bit awkward to me.

“Don’t worry…we won’t listen in on your conversation,” I joked.

By the time we were ordering, this couple was paying their bill and on the way out. Soon enough, another 20-something couple was seated next to us. Although I often want to keep to myself, I was in a chipper mood, and I immediately struck up conversation.

“Have you guys ever been here before?”
“No, it’s our first time,” they responded.
“Really? Well, you should try…”

The food was excellent, and I had no problem suggesting what we had ordered. You’d think that our conversation would stop there, but it didn’t. We talked about the face that they met each other while working at another Italian restaurant. We chatted about their jobs, where they moved from, and where they live now.

As John was enjoying the pasta, I kept asking questions…and they kept answering them. Well, most of them.

“So, what’s keeping you from putting a ring on her finger?”

Awkward silence…then laughter.
“Yeah, what is the hold up?” she asked her boyfriend.

Our playful banter plunged into a soulful conversation about life, marriage, hopes, dreams, and our upbringing. My “life coach” questions were initially meant to be playful, but something was happening.

A connection was forming.

By this time, an older couple sat down at the “reserved” table, and we struck up a conversation with them. They reserved the same table every Saturday night. It was their spot. Soon enough, I introduced both couples to one another, and all six of us were connecting about life and business.

“Do you guys like cupcakes? I saw this great little cupcake shop down the street. Why don’t I get some for all of us?”

Before the waiter knew it, I was sneaking six cupcakes into the restaurant, and our new friends were pleasantly surprised by my gesture.

What was happening?
Why were we connecting in this way?

It turned out that the younger couple was heading to a movie after what was their Valentine’s Day dinner (a day early), and they invited us to join them. Not only did we go to the movie with Zak and Kristin that night, but we connected with him for coffee a couple of days later at the cafe in NY where he works. And, on Tuesday, we all went to a Broadway show and dinner together.

They were complete strangers on Saturday night…but something had changed.

Our conversation on Tuesday night continued to go deeper about relationships and the possibilities for both of their careers. By the end of the evening, I felt such a strong care for both of them, and I truly hoped that we’d see each other again.

As we walked outside to head toward different subway entrances, we embraced one another with an understanding that we had just experienced unexpected friendship.

I’m glad we didn’t wait for Mexican food that night.