I was surprised to learn that we listened to the same bands, some of which are extremely niche and not well known at all
When I was growing up, my parents assured me that I would simply meet the love of my life in school, church, or at work someday. The two of them were both in an afterschool program at church and quickly established a tight friendship. My dad eventually worked up the confidence to ask her on a date to the local bowling alley and they immediately clicked romantically. They have been together for nearly 40 years now and are just as happy and in love as they were when they first met. However, I don’t think the two of them realize how rare it is for a relationship of that magnitude to start in a high school youth program at church, let alone enduring for several decades and counting. When I failed to meet the “love of my life” in church and school, they told me to look at work when I got my first job out of college. However, dating people in your workplace is a recipe for disaster if things don’t workout. In my case, it didn’t matter because I still couldn’t find a partner. On a whim I started going with my friend Jonathan to the local YMCA after work a few days each week. At first we only used the weightlifting room, but eventually we gravitated to a group fitness training class. On the second day, I saw a beautiful woman my age a few feet away and struck up conversation with her when we were all given a minute to get to know each other. I was surprised to learn that we listened to the same bands, some of which are extremely niche and not well known at all. After we spoke on several occasions, I finally asked her on a date and the rest is history.