The Couple

Last Friday night we went to a hockey game.  We always have the same seats, but there are always a lot of different people sitting around us.  On this night a young man in his 20's sat in the row ahead of us. He was friendly,  sat there for most of the first period, talked on his phone for a bit, then left. 

We have seats above where the visiting team comes out so it is not unusual for people to come and sit there for a while to get a good view of the opposing team, then move on.  After he had been gone for a while we figured he was not coming back and Michael put his coat on that seat to give us a bit more room.

Then later the young man appeared again with a young woman his age.  She reminded me a lot of one of my nieces.  They made such a cute couple. He had thick, unruly, dark hair,  had not shaved for a couple of days so had that "rugged" look, and she had long brown hair, the cutest smile, and dimples. They were obviously enjoying being together, laughing and talking.  

I said to Michael, "Don't they make a cute couple?"

I love hockey and enjoyed the game, but couldn't help but watch these two off and on. They just seemed so happy and so nice. 

Then in the third period, I did something I would never have done 10 years ago.  I leaned forward between the two of them and said, "I just have to tell you  that you two make the cutest couple!"

They both laughed and looked at each other. I mistook that for them being embarrassed that I had told them they were cute.  I said, "I am serious!  You two are an adorable couple!."   

Then it hit me - I said, "You two are a couple, aren't you?"  The young man smiled and said, "We have a history. She had her chance!"  And they both laughed again.  I said, "Seriously?  You two are not a couple?  Well you should be!!!"  She nudged him and said, "See?"  They were very gracious about me intruding into their evening and thinking they were a couple.  So I said, "Well, if you two decide to get back together again - you will be an awesome couple."

They looked like they belonged together.  They teased each other, laughed and smiled constantly during the game, and obviously had a lot to talk about.  Whatever their history was, there was still enough there to have them spending time together and greatly enjoying each other's company.

So at the end of the game I figured: Why not?  I had come this far.  

I leaned forward once more and said, "You know, if you are at a hockey game and some strange lady from behind you leans in and tells you that you make a cute couple, maybe that is a sign.  Just something to think about!"

They smiled, laughed, and she nudged him once again.  

Bless their hearts.

I wanted to tell them that we would be in those same seats all season and to keep me updated.  But I figured I had intruded enough.

I really hope they find their way back to each other.