Day 23- Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given.
Okay, I have only ever dated 2 guys in my life, and I never made an awkward first impression on them. I always made good impressions on potential employers. Maybe I'll share this story.
You know about my friend from England, Martin. He and I met online--we were both members of the Michael Crawford Fan Club, and I placed a request for a pen pal. He responded. We began corresponding in January of 2002, and we didn't meet till Hallowe'en that year. He and his mom came to Dallas, Texas to visit.
I got the address of the hotel, and I put it into map quest or something like that. I thought I had it figured out. This was the first time I had ever driven on Texas interstates by myself, and I was also about 2-3 months pregnant at the time (yes, I was married, but honestly, we were just friends. I made certain my then husband knew about everything. He had already emotionally divorced himself from me long before Martin came along.)
I began driving, and I hit rush hour traffic. I had told Martin I would be there at around 5:30 or so. I left about 4:00. This was long before I had a GPS or a cell phone.
I got so twisted around, it's not even funny. I lost track of how many times I stopped and asked people how to get there. I remember asking people all dressed up in costumes (since it was Halloween.). It took me 3 hours to get there. It should have taken an hour. I can't think how many times I got mad at Martin although he wasn't there!
When I got out of the car, I remember collecting myself and wondering if Martin would still be waiting for me. I knew I was late, and I was so tired of driving around. I walked into the hotel and approached the desk. I asked if there was a gentleman waiting in the lobby. When the person at the desk asked what he looked like or who I was, I said the strangest thing I have ever said: "I have never met him so I am not entirely sure." He pointed out Martin who was standing over at the other door. Amazingly, I walked up to him with confidence and when our eyes met, we knew we had met at long last. It was somewhat awkward at first. We had only e-mailed and talked on the phone.
Although it was not a first impression, it was quite a meeting. And here we are best friends (and really more) all these years later!!
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