Ode to an Eiffel Tower
So, I've been meaning to post this story for awhile... I know a few of you have been wanting the full story. So here it goes. Let's start by laying the ground work and saying that my life is never void of drama... and that the drama comes to me, I don't go searching for it. This story is proof! With that... here we go.
Once upon a time, a totally innocent and unassuming girl lived in Provo... she was single and apparently getting old and of an unmarriable age according to social standards and so some friends encouraged her to try online dating. She did (pride in hand). She embarked upon this journey, by getting somewhat frightening emails from mostly scary looking men that she would never really consider, but decided that she need to give them a chance (in broad daylight, in a crowded restaurant where there could be witnesses, and with a friend- who was a police officer's- phone number ready to dial if necessary). This "chance" never quite panned out as the pictures they would post of themselves seemed to be somewhat liberal interpretations in real life.
The poor damsel was amiss in the online world. Attempting to give it one last shot, she herself did a search, which resulted in seven men. One of which immediately caught her eye. He was from England... and looked every bit the part of a Mr. Darcy in a Jane Austin novel in his profile pic. This girl, swooned, for it is the dream of every Provo girl of a certain age to marry Mr. Darcy with a authentic English accent. Hopes high, she sent an email, just a sentence long (so as to toss a bit of bait out and see if he would bite).
Bite he did, as she received an email the very next day. He was struck with her profile and wondered how someone like her would remain single for so long. Blushing, she finished reading his email and had the most glorious ride to work. Could the stars have aligned?
The two started to correspond. They learned about each other... amongst other things, at this age we all know that many people come with baggage. He had a fair share of baggage. A divorce, two children... and a job and desire to live next to his children in London. He wondered if it would be too much for her? Yet, she was patient, and while having some cause for reservation, decided to proceed. For, you see... she had already booked a trip to Italy previous to meeting the gentleman, and and fate would have it, it was looking like there would be a chance for the two to meet. She determined that meeting him would help her know if there stood a chance.
The trip arrived and all was set. She was to vacation in Italy with her friends, and during her extended layover in Paris, he was to meet her at the Eiffel Tower for a romantic date. The day before the date arrived and the girl hadn't heard from him all week. She thought it odd, so emailed him to make sure everything was as it should be. She then got an email stating that he wouldn't be able to make it. That he didn't have a good feeling about the event, and that he just couldn't shake the feeling.
Overcome, the girl sought solitude out on the balcony over looking Rome. An hour passed and the thought came to her to pen and email, which she did. Only an hour later, she was shocked to find a response stating that he was so happy to hear from her and that he did want to come, and to plan on the date after all.
The next day came... commotion at the airport caused the girl and her friends to get to her hotel late... both she and he had promised to leave their cell phones on during the rush to the Eiffel Tower, yet she was unable to reach him due to an incorrect country code. Her friends worked with the concierge to get the number corrected as she quickly got ready. The girl and her friends rushed out the door late and hailed a cab to go to the Eiffel Tower. She finally got through to his cell phone, only reached his voice mail, and left an apologetic message telling him not to leave and that she was on her way. Ten minutes later (stuck in traffic, produced by a protest)... the phone rang. It was him! She answered and right away started apologizing. He tried to stop her, and when he finally got her to quite down, he said, "my darling, I must tell you that I didn't get on the train... I didn't come." Silence.
She didn't know how to answer. After a moment, she realized nothing could be done, and the situation couldn't change, so it would only be the graceful thing to do to try to understand and wish him well. He apologized profusely, and said it was due to a feeling he had that he couldn't shake... which he didn't understand because he wanted to be there with her. She said that she knew that the spirit works in ways we don't understand sometimes, so she wished him well... just as the gaze of the Eiffel Tower came into view.
Deflated she stepped out of the cab... with her two friends and set out for a night of spectacular scenery and a great meal. Would it have been the most romantic date of her life? Yes! But perhaps, she need to save that for the man she will actually marry. But for now, this goes down as one of the most dramatic stand-ups of all time.
Once upon a time, a totally innocent and unassuming girl lived in Provo... she was single and apparently getting old and of an unmarriable age according to social standards and so some friends encouraged her to try online dating. She did (pride in hand). She embarked upon this journey, by getting somewhat frightening emails from mostly scary looking men that she would never really consider, but decided that she need to give them a chance (in broad daylight, in a crowded restaurant where there could be witnesses, and with a friend- who was a police officer's- phone number ready to dial if necessary). This "chance" never quite panned out as the pictures they would post of themselves seemed to be somewhat liberal interpretations in real life.
The poor damsel was amiss in the online world. Attempting to give it one last shot, she herself did a search, which resulted in seven men. One of which immediately caught her eye. He was from England... and looked every bit the part of a Mr. Darcy in a Jane Austin novel in his profile pic. This girl, swooned, for it is the dream of every Provo girl of a certain age to marry Mr. Darcy with a authentic English accent. Hopes high, she sent an email, just a sentence long (so as to toss a bit of bait out and see if he would bite).
Bite he did, as she received an email the very next day. He was struck with her profile and wondered how someone like her would remain single for so long. Blushing, she finished reading his email and had the most glorious ride to work. Could the stars have aligned?
The two started to correspond. They learned about each other... amongst other things, at this age we all know that many people come with baggage. He had a fair share of baggage. A divorce, two children... and a job and desire to live next to his children in London. He wondered if it would be too much for her? Yet, she was patient, and while having some cause for reservation, decided to proceed. For, you see... she had already booked a trip to Italy previous to meeting the gentleman, and and fate would have it, it was looking like there would be a chance for the two to meet. She determined that meeting him would help her know if there stood a chance.
The trip arrived and all was set. She was to vacation in Italy with her friends, and during her extended layover in Paris, he was to meet her at the Eiffel Tower for a romantic date. The day before the date arrived and the girl hadn't heard from him all week. She thought it odd, so emailed him to make sure everything was as it should be. She then got an email stating that he wouldn't be able to make it. That he didn't have a good feeling about the event, and that he just couldn't shake the feeling.
Overcome, the girl sought solitude out on the balcony over looking Rome. An hour passed and the thought came to her to pen and email, which she did. Only an hour later, she was shocked to find a response stating that he was so happy to hear from her and that he did want to come, and to plan on the date after all.
The next day came... commotion at the airport caused the girl and her friends to get to her hotel late... both she and he had promised to leave their cell phones on during the rush to the Eiffel Tower, yet she was unable to reach him due to an incorrect country code. Her friends worked with the concierge to get the number corrected as she quickly got ready. The girl and her friends rushed out the door late and hailed a cab to go to the Eiffel Tower. She finally got through to his cell phone, only reached his voice mail, and left an apologetic message telling him not to leave and that she was on her way. Ten minutes later (stuck in traffic, produced by a protest)... the phone rang. It was him! She answered and right away started apologizing. He tried to stop her, and when he finally got her to quite down, he said, "my darling, I must tell you that I didn't get on the train... I didn't come." Silence.She didn't know how to answer. After a moment, she realized nothing could be done, and the situation couldn't change, so it would only be the graceful thing to do to try to understand and wish him well. He apologized profusely, and said it was due to a feeling he had that he couldn't shake... which he didn't understand because he wanted to be there with her. She said that she knew that the spirit works in ways we don't understand sometimes, so she wished him well... just as the gaze of the Eiffel Tower came into view.
Deflated she stepped out of the cab... with her two friends and set out for a night of spectacular scenery and a great meal. Would it have been the most romantic date of her life? Yes! But perhaps, she need to save that for the man she will actually marry. But for now, this goes down as one of the most dramatic stand-ups of all time.
Comments
Ouch.
Ouch.
All I can say is, "WOW - you earned that story and now you have to tell it as many times in your life as you can."
Wow.