The Love Doctor Is In The House

I am a frustrated matchmaker, or maybe just a meddler. But somewhere in my world weary soul there is a hopeless romantic. Many years ago, I used to read the personals section in Creative Loafing, which is an Atlanta based weekly paper devoted to arts, literature, music, and events around the city. I would skim through the section and wonder about the people who wrote them. Did they ever meet the one? Did they even get dates? What did they really look like and why were they trying to meet someone through a news paper ad?

I never responded to one because I didn't need any help attracting crazy, I did really well on my own. But I would look at ads and "match make" couples from them, then wonder if they ever met.

So twenty years later I'm still a personals junkie, just online now. Sunday afternoon I was job hunting on Craigslist (huge waste of time, but I had run out of other job boards), when I started looking through the rest of the site. I didn't want to waste time on personals, but I did see a section labeled "Missed Connections" and was immediately intrigued.

Here's what I found:

"Your name is A.... I think, I think thats what you're name tag said. And you're a shift manager....or something like that. I know you don't know me, even if I described myself but I'm a trucker and stop in that J about once or twice a week. I'm always hoping you're working when I go in. I think you are B-E-A utiful! I'm not your typical trucker, I mean I'm not 300 lbs with a handlebar mustache. I'm 32, clean cut, shaved head, goatee (trimmed short), 5'9", good tan, 185 lbs, and I workout three days a week. I would love to know what your story is, are you married? Boyfriend? Anyways, I'd love to talk to you but I don't wanna try and talk to you when I'm in line paying for fuel, I know you're busy. Hopefully you'll read this, if you do, at least write me back to say that you read it even if you're not interested. I'd like to know if these "missed connections" actually work. Hope to talk soon."

Now how in the hell do you think I could let that go unanswered? I've seen "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail", and of course the biggest romantic tear jerker of all time, "An Affair To Remember". What if "A" never reads Craigslist???? She would never, ever know that someone was interested in her and took the time to write something like this. Reading this guy's message, he sounded really nice and thoughtful enough to notice that she was busy at work. Plus he thinks she's beautiful, and that's really sweet. How could I not help two possibly star crossed lovers connect and live happily ever after???

Assuming he wasn't an online stalker or serial killer, or worse.

So I had to meddle. I emailed him:

"Hi Nice Trucker Guy,

I'm not A...., but if you want I will print this out and see if I can get it to her. Is that the Flying J at exit 2? She may not read Craigslist, so may never see it otherwise. I don't know her or anything, just happened across your post and thought it was pretty cool. I met my husband accidentally on line, so yes things do happen like that!

Best of luck!"

And he replied:

"Yes, it is the J at exit 2. Yes, absolutely, I can use all the help I can get. Don't go out of your way or anything, but if you run across her maybe put a bug in her ear. Couldn't hurt right? Anyways, thank you Lisa, I assume your name is Lisa from your e-mail. I'm S....... Thanks again."

Yes, I do hope he's not crazy as it's obvious I have no career in stealth operations. I didn't sign my email, but I forgot it gives you my name when I send one to someone.

So I printed out the original post and our emails back and forth to each other. I drove down to the truck stop today and went over to the fueling desk to find her. She didn't come in until later, so I gave it to the two nice girls that were there and told them the story. They read his post and thought it was really nice too. I put my name and phone number on it so that she could call me if she had any questions or just simply didn't want to answer him directly. You can't be too careful out there, but my gut feelings are that this guy is probably pretty nice. I was disappointed that I didn't get to meet A... in person though so that I could see what she looks like.

Then I emailed S.... to let him know I delivered his post. I hope they meet and everything goes really well.

After all, it is "love bug" season down her in South Georgia and you never know exactly how you might get bit.