“The last girl I dated tried to sue me for five million dollars,” he said casually.
“What,” I asked wondering who he was. “Were you married?”
“No. We dated for six months,” he replied.
I was standing in the corner of my own restaurant talking to a strange man wearing a gold necklace at a singles event.
My name tag said Trey because it’s my name and name tags are for names. I had a box of my books, a few t-shirts, and no clue how the evening was going to unfold. My friend’s matchmaking company wanted me to speak at the event. I’m not sure the crowd wanted to listen. Such is life.
People started showing up a little after 7 pm. Small people, big people, young people, old people. One after the other. All in all, maybe around 100. They were all looking for the same thing and I don’t think it was a speech from a weird dude who wrote a book about love and bananas.
The crowd headed straight to the bar as they filed in. Booze makes mingling much more bearable. I was mesmerized watching people navigate the singles event.
Eventually, I was introduced and gave a speech about my book. Most people couldn’t hear me. The restaurant music was on and people were mingling. Some looked at me as if they were listening which was kind.
“Is anyone else here an introvert,” I started…
I think four people out of 100 raised their hands. I was one of them. That made sense. It takes balls to put yourself out there, show up at a singles event, and talk to other humans. Not an environment you would find a bunch of introverts who panic at the thought of having a human conversation.
I forced myself to wander around and talk to people.
I talked to a girl who is going to Portugal next week. A guy who runs a hedge fund. A girl from Peru. A guy who is a pilot for Southwest. A girl who teaches special education. A guy who just went through the worst divorce in history.
“How many times have you been in love,” I asked a pretty girl with black hair and dark eyes.
“I have never been in love,” she replied with a death stare.
“Never,” I responded struggling to figure out what to say.
“No.”
“You have never gotten the butterflies,” I asked. Surely she was a human being, I thought.
“That’s not love,” she answered angrily.
I wanted to walk out the door, get in my car, cry, head home, and watch YouTube.
Some people stood alone, some in groups. Some people looked completely lost, and some seemed to love it.
Fascinating.
But here is the thing. As I looked around the room at all the people, I was inspired. I was inspired to see people getting out of their comfort zones and putting themselves out there. Inspired to see people getting off the apps and into the real world. Inspired to see people actually try for what they want in life.
Love.
Love has been a challenge for me. I am doing better though. Much better. Just like the people in that room last night, I am trying.
Are you trying?
Trey
P.S. If you want to buy a book from me just reply and I will mail you one, signed, for $20. I gotta get rid of these things before I move next week.