This is the first entry in what I'm calling "Bucket List Reflections". Essentially it's the process of looking back on my life and examining an experience - positive or negative - that not only shaped who I am today, but in many cases also resulted in a lasting memory to cherish going forward. I created a short list of events that I felt might pique interest, and one in particular that I'd like to share with you first.
Depending on how successfully I'm able to re-create this for you in words, some of you may wonder if I'm embellishing the story in any way. I promise you I will not do that. What follows really DID happen. The only parts that will not be accurate are the names that have been changed to protect the innocent :) While the other person I'll be discussing is presently, and always will be, my friend, she is very happily married with a beautiful family, and the last thing I would want to do is embarrass her. With that being said, I present to you, "The First Date, Part 1".
So like many of you, I've had some pretty memorable first dates in my lifetime. From the Summer of 1981 when my friend next door invited me to go with her and her mom to see "Superman II", to the time in 1990 when I told my blind date I was going to use the restroom at the dance club and then just left, I've kept it interesting to say the least. (And before you guys give me a hard time about that second part, YES I know it was wrong and YES I'm ashamed at myself for doing that! lol) In April of 2000, I was 27 y.o. and had just purchased my first computer. I had just completed my first degree the year prior, and now I was nearing the half-way point of the professional phase of my BSN (RN) program. AOL dial-up was the most popular internet service provider at the time, and like many, I was really enjoying chatting online and exploring the internet in between classes and work.
One night as I sat at the computer at my home in Lawrenceville, Georgia, an instant message chat box popped up. The screen name was "RN" followed by the name of a college team's mascot that shall remain nameless. It wasn't a name I recognized, so naturally I inquired as to who this person was. She told me her name (let's refer to her as "Ro" for the purposes of the story) and that she saw on my profile I was attending Emory University and pursuing a career as an RN. She, too, was an RN and had recently moved to the metro-Atlanta area, and she and her friend were online chatting with other locals. Seemed innocent enough, right?
(Now this next part is where I think some of you may wonder if I'm embellishing or pulling your leg...I'm not, I promise)
As I chatted with Ro online over the next half hour or so, we came to the realization that we had some things in common. Certainly the fact that we were both RNs was really cool in and of itself, but we also discovered that we were very close in age. I recall mentioning to her that I would be turning 28 the following month, to which she pointed out that her birthday was also coming up next month. Although I've never put much stock in Astrology personally, I've always embraced my status as a "Gemini" for entertainment purposes...and maybe once or twice when it helped get me out of trouble. (Many of the generally accepted Gemini qualities match up quite well with my own personality, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't glance at a horoscope from time to time!) When Ro stated she was a Gemini, as well, I remember finding that very interesting since it meant her birthday was toward the end of May just like mine. In fact, her birthday WAS the same as mine. Hmmmm....that's when I started getting a bit suspicious.
I distinctly recall seeing red flags popping up, and the very first thought after that was, "okay, someone just made an AOL account and is totally messing with me...very funny!" Just then I heard a mysterious "popping noise", and out of thin air a mini-version of my Statistics professor from college, Dr Sokaloff, appeared on my right shoulder (figuratively, of course) telling me that if I don't call BS on this soon, then he will! "Okay, Ro...you got me. Good joke. Come on...is that YOU, Colleen?" "No, really!", she said. "Do you want to see a picture?" Naturally I did, and a couple minutes later a cropped scan of what she said was her driver's license photo arrived in my AOL inbox. Super cute girl, but no idea who it was. So I said to her, "Look, I know this is very forward of me to ask, and if you aren't comfortable doing it I will absolutely understand...but could we talk on the phone for a few minutes?" Her (apparent) picture being of no help at all, I figured the only way I could get to the bottom of this would be to actually speak with this person and hear her voice. I offered up my digits and, sure enough, the phone rang a couple minutes later.
I don't remember how long we spoke on the phone, but it was probably around two hours from start to finish. At the end of those two hours, and as I hung up the phone, I found myself steeped in surrealism to a degree I had never experienced prior and have not experienced since. Here's why:
Ro: Recently moved to Atlanta and an RN.
Me: Recently moved to Atlanta and in process of becoming an RN.
Ro: Born on May 2x, Gemini.
Me: Born on May 2x, Gemini.
Ro: Real name means "Queen" in native language.
Me: Full first name, Alan, means "leader" or "King" in another language.
Ro: German heritage.
Me: German heritage.
Ro: Roman Catholic.
Me: Roman Catholic.
Ro: Was living on "Mill Bridge".
Me: Was living on "Mill Ridge".
And this is not even the full list, because there were at least a few more on top of those that I just can't remember. Needless to say, after that conversation the only person with a more ridiculously perplexed look on his face than me was Dr Sockloff! Not even the good doctor could figure the odds on this perfect storm of commonality engulfing Ro and myself.
(To Be Continued in The First Date, pt 2!!)
