A Really Good Story

For life’s unexpected surprises

***

There’s a ping, followed by a little notification from the dating app. I have a new message.

We still on for tonight?

It’s just after seven o’clock according to my phone. I’m so excited to finally meet Thane that I haven’t been able to sit still. I’m already showered, dressed in my lucky black mini dress with the silver zipper down the back, and my hair and makeup are on point.

I text back with practiced speed. Of course! It’ll be wonderful to match your personality with your face 😊

The dating app is completely blind. I’ve had enough of playing the modern field based on profile photos. They are nothing but shallow connections based on looks, only to find the person you’ve agreed to go out with either suddenly has nothing to say, or they only have something to say about themselves. Both are a bore. The app—Blind Connection—matches people more like the traditional personal ad, except it fosters back and forth messaging after choosing from personal short essays. I sifted through dozens until I found Thane.

Thane’s story: he’s a divorced forty-four-year-old police officer. He likes outdoor sports, lives in a modest apartment with his golden retriever, and his favorite book is anything by Stephen King. I like all these things too. We shared stories about where we’d been, where we’d like to go. Maybe together. A weekend on Lake Michigan. Explore the smaller nature trails of the Upper...