Missed Connection in ATL

With age comes wisdom and over the years I’ve come to accept there are people who come into our lives who are meant to be within our circle. They are in sync with our schedules, can pick up conversation with them after years of not seeing each other, and they bring peace and harmony in their own way. They are great traveling buddies, always remember to say a kind word, and seem to reach out at just the right moments in our lives.

And then there are those who create chaos and disruptions. These are the people who you need to force pleasantries and schedules never sync up. They are the ones who let you down.

Serendipity of Social Media

Last month I had the opportunity to reconnect with someone who has, and probably always will, have a special place in my heart. Excited was an understatement when I discovered we were both in Atlanta and both departing from ATL within 30 minutes of each other. (Thanks Google Buzz.)

Finally, I felt our lives were in sync for an innocent meeting. Once upon a time, I let expectations break my heart and while accepting he never reciprocated feelings I had for him, somehow I was able to move on. It was a painful journey but I’ve accepted it.

The opportunity in Atlanta seemed as though the Universe was showing a sign it was okay to meet up this one time when other times, it always seemed against us. Perhaps this was an opportunity of closure and to show him indeed I have moved on, that I’m not into him, and I’m okay.

That afternoon before heading to the airport, I should have asked him one more question when we last spoke. I should have asked, “Where are you flying to?”

Flying from Which Gate?

My last meeting in Atlanta ran an hour late so I was late getting to the airport. While standing in line for TSA security, I texted him but didn’t receive a reply. After passing through, I texted him again. I knew he was departing from D Concourse which happened to be where my departing gate was.

Upon arriving at the concourse, I checked departing flights to his home city. It was 3:45 p.m. and a 4 p.m. flight was boarding and there was a 5:35 flight but neither departed from D. I called him and after a couple of rings, voice mail picked up and I left a message.

I had emailed him my airline and destination city the night prior. Maybe he’d be waiting at my gate.

I rushed down to the gate but didn’t see him. Hmm. Did he take an earlier flight? Did he blow me off or did the airline ask him to take an earlier flight because of the flight disruptions happening with the Mid-Atlanta snow storm? I went to the both gates on two different concourses but didn’t find him.

Why hasn’t he called? Why hasn’t he texted? I didn’t call him because I didn’t want to play the games we played before. He had my number. He had my flight information. I wasn’t going to chase him, again.

Holding Back the Tears

Memories flooded. Bad memories. Memories of that sinking feeling of disappointment.

Is he blowing me off? Did he not really want to see me?

I went back to my gate and blinked back tears upon realizing he wasn’t there.

When landing at my destination, a text message popped up from him. He was flying to a hub city and not a direct flight to his home city. I was looking at the wrong city. He said he never received my texts nor voice mail. His flight departed on the opposite end of the concourse from where I departed. Nineteen gates away. We were a literal missed connection.

Having faith in the Universe and God’s plan, I suppose there was a reason we didn’t meet up. I’m not going to ponder it but continue moving on with enjoying my life.