Member-only story
“Was it Love at First Sight?”
She laughed at my answer.
Years ago we were driving to a high school reunion event. I initiated and Anna agreed to go with me. It was a two hour drive each way. She and I had known each other since sixth grade. We went to the same local college, met the same people at the college career fair, interviewed for the same job, accepted the jobs at the same place and therefore became roommates when we moved. We weren’t trying to coordinate all of that. It just happened that way.
For various reasons we had not stayed in touch after she got married and eventually I did too. It was rare that we talked or saw each other. It was me that would initiate talking or meeting up.
Of course we talked about the general things of our lives on the drive. I remember her asking about my husband. She said: “Was it love at first sight?” My reply was: “It was a logical decision.” And she laughed, not softly or briefly. It was hearty, loud laughter. I wasn’t laughing. But why was that funny? laugh worthy? Am I a serious person? Sometimes I am. My life wasn’t funny. And what I said was true. Painfully true.
At the time I thought a logical decision was necessary. But hindsight perspective of meeting, dating and agreeing to marry the guy, shows the tragedy of that thought.
