Of course, it wasn't an overnight thing. To be successful a modicum of preparation is required. Firstly do the two of you actually want to meet. Many don't preferring the anonymity that the internet provides. Overall I am one of them. But in this case I really felt a pull and wanted to see and meet the object of my curiousity. We were careful. I didn't want to appear to be some predatory male looking for a casual female acquaintance; I respect both my friend and myself too much for that. My friend didn't want to meet some mad axe murderer either, so I think that we were both pleased that my wife said that she would come along for the ride.
Eventually we actually spoke on the telephone. My friend sounded just as I imagined that she would. Friendly, bubbly and oozing with personality. We agreed a meeting place and time. A place suitably neutral so that we would both feel comfortable.
On the appointed day my wife and I drove the 85 miles down to where we had agreed to meet. I was very excited and a little nervous. I have been to many meetings in my life, but rarely did I feel as concerned as I did that day about the visit's outcome. The visit had to go well.
We met at a farm shopping complex but the restaurant was crowded so we decided to adjourn to a local pub instead. Curiously, the pub was one that I have visited several times before in the course of my previous employment. Once there we busied ourselves with, apart from choosing something to eat, the real business of the day; getting to know each other better.
My friend was exactly what I had imagined her to be. Small, dark haired and very attractive. She was vivacious with a friendly laugh and kind, sensitive eyes. Anyone that laughs at my jokes has to have some humanity about them as my witticisms are especially juvenile! We found some things in common, children, places etc and she and my wife seemed to get along too. We are all of a similar age and I think that helps a little too. Something must have gone right because we went into the pub at a little after one o'clock and didn't leave until nearly four!
Going our separate ways I felt so very positive about the whole visit. We liked each other and had a lovely meeting. We haven't arranged to meet again, but I am sure that we will. My friend is a very special person and I am delighted that we both took the "risk" of a meeting. Our postings will have that extra dimension in the future.
