A St. Patrick's Day Memory

It was the most improbable of encounters. My band was about to play the first set of our Saturday Night gig. We were on stage and ready to go - our lead singer was a stickler for starting on time.

I felt thirsty. I unstrapped my bass and set it on the stand.

"Where are you going?" the singer asked (predictably).

"I need a drink."

"It's ten o'clock. It's time to start."

"I'll be right back."

I walked over to the bar and asked for a coke. - I never drank alcohol when I performed. I wanted to be sharp and focused.

As I waited for my drink, I noticed a stunning brunette sitting on the bar stool beside me. I said "Hi," in a polite and not overly enthusiastic way. She smiled shyly and glanced down toward her drink. 

I asked a daft question. It was a private club, so I inquired as to whether she was a member. I didn't understand that the members were all men, but ladies were always welcome. She smiled but said nothing.

I paid for the drink and walked back over to the stage. The singer didn't look happy, but once the music started, we locked into our usual effortless groove, and all was forgiven.

On our first break, I chatted with friends who had come out to see us. I didn't think to go back over to the bar. The lady hadn't seemed particularly interested. 

The second break was at midnight. I needed a refill on my drink. The beautiful brunette was still sitting at the bar where a girlfriend had joined her. We made our introductions.

I would learn later that the two of them had planned leave early and head over to another establishment. The brunette decided to change those plans after I said my awkward hello. Apparently, she wanted to see if I would come back over talk some more. I nearly blew that opportunity. 

On the third break, the lady handed me a cocktail napkin with her number on it. I called a couple of days later, and we enjoyed a warm and lengthy chat. More calls followed included one that lasted until 5:30 in the morning. We learned a lot about each other that night.

We had our first date and then our second. A few weeks later, she came to see my band play again. I got to know more of her friends and her family, including an adorable niece and nephew who were about five and six at the time. Things were going well.

I fell in love with that lady. I asked her to be my wife. She is the mother of my child and one of the great loves of my life. 

A chance encounter can change everything in profound and lasting ways. I have no idea what my life would be like today if I hadn't set down my bass and bought a coke - over my band mate's objection. But I am honored beyond measure to be the father of that lovely lady's son, a kind, intelligent, thoughtful, productive, funny, fascinating, caring, committed, and delightful man. I am thrilled beyond words every time I hear that man call me Dad.

Trust your heart. When it urges you to say hello to someone, say hello. 

Trust your gut. When it tells you to do something, do it, even if the timing seems all wrong, even if your friends complain. 

Life is short. Opportunities are precious and maddeningly fleeting. Take a chance. Dare to be bold. Make peace with risk. Act without thinking, if you have to, and speak from your heart. 

Give yourself permission to fail, gloriously and publicly if it turns out that way, and then get up and prepare yourself to fail again. You can always have a laugh about it later. Your friends will howl when you tell them the story.

In life, you won't get a chance unless you take a chance. There's no reason to hold back, no reason to hide, and no reason to settle. And none of us are getting any younger. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and may the luck of the Irish be with ya!

Copyright © 2017 Daniel R. South 

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