For a while, I was taking an annual ski trip with different groups of people. Typically these trips were about 50 people deep and they were a great time, this one was no different.
We had quite a few challenges with our trip coordinator (who was laundering our money, a whole other story), so our group single handedly delayed this flight going out of O’Hare. We were on our way to Minneapolis for a layover and then on to Whistler. During this fiasco, the ticket agents were downright nasty. They were not helping the situation and since it was 6am, tempers were flaring.
We finally make it on the flight and as I sit down, I happen to be next to a cute guy in a suit who wasn’t part of our trip. For whatever reason, I decide to say to him, no wonder they call this airline Northworst (a now retired airline), that was the worst check-in experience ever. Those combative agents need to find a job other than the hospitality business. This guy lets me go on and on about what a bad experience I just had for a while.
When I settled down, I said to him, what are you going to Minneapolis for? He said well, I work for Northworst. (Yikes) I said, this day is getting better and better. In my defense, it was hard to tell as he wasn’t dressed as a pilot or anything.
After I took my foot back out of my mouth, I said, sorry, I am sure you have good agents, it was probably our fault for being late. He said, don’t worry about it and we continue talking.
It was a short trip to Minneapolis (1 hour flying time) and as we were landing, this guy (let’s call him Pat) says to me, can I have your card? I would love to go out sometime. I said sure and was on my way to meet my friends.
I didn’t think much of it but when I returned home from vacation, he had already called and left me a message. (pre cell phones, gasp). Now, he lives in St. Louis but has family in Chicago so being a pilot, he can get anywhere at anytime via the jumpseat on the airplane.
We set up a safe Sunday date for a couple of cocktails. Now, in all of this craziness, I never saw this guy standing. I am 5 foot 9 and generally speaking, I do prefer for the guy to be taller than me. When he comes to pick me up, I am surprised by the fact that I am a couple of inches taller than him! When I think back, I didn’t remember him having any trouble crossing his legs on the plane.
Anyway, we head out to a nice corner bar for cocktails. We had a great conversation and as we were seated, everything was going well. The minute we would stand up, I kept thinking to myself, if something were to go down, would I have to protect both of us?
I know, a crazy thought but you tall girls understand what I am talking about.
So, after a couple of cocktails, he walks me home and thanks me for a nice night. We hug and he was on his way. I immediately called my girlfriends to fill them in on this date. They all asked how it went, I said it was fine but I am taller than him. After their initial gasp that I would ever even say that out loud, they proceed to tell me how shallow I am being. They said to give him another chance.
He calls and asks to go out again. To minimize my shallowness, I agree. He comes to my place again and wants to have coffee. We start walking towards a local Starbucks and pass a homeless guy on the street. As we pass this guy, he screams GIVE ME SOME MONEY. I give the usual no thank you and we continue down the street.
Once we get to the Starbucks, Pat says, you don’t even like coffee, do you? I said, no, I was just going to have water. He said, let’s go get a beer then. Now you’re talking!
We walk past this homeless guy again. Now, Pat could be my co-worker, brother, friend, hard to say. It was our awkward 2nd date and we weren’t holding hands or anything, just walking down the street. The second we pass this same homeless guy, he screams out DUDE, YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS TALLER THAN YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, TOM CRUISE?? SHE IS 5' 4” AND YOU ARE 5' 2”!!! He proceeded to say those 3 sentences over and over again until we crossed the street.
Now, to Pat’s credit, he turned around and said yes, isn’t it great? It of course sets me up to ask the question, how tall are you? He said 5' 7 ½”. We all know, if you are going halfsies, you are about 5' 6”.
Anyway, I couldn’t believe my one insecurity about this situation was yelled at me down the street. I was looking for a sign, I found it. Unfortunately, this was at the beginning of the date so I had to sit there the entire time when all I wanted to do was go home and call my friends. I was sure they would never believe what happened. As he walked me home, I walked on the down slope of the sidewalk to try and prevent any further altercations.
Lesson learned? Sometimes the universe yells your insecurities to you as you walk down the street. And, have some cash in your pocket for the homeless!
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