This is not a missed connection, but rather a letter I imagine writing to you.

You called me an hour ago and suggested we meet at "our place." You miss me and our coffee kisses and I was eager to tell you about my weekend with my family. The little coffeehouse is halfway between our respective workplaces. The baristas know how I like my coffee (extra room) and how you like your mocha (double shot of espresso).

As I approach the cafe, I stop to peer in through the window front. I intentionally showed up 5 minutes late, so that I could watch you for a moment. Little did the employee who opened the store know that their quick windex of the exterior windows would be so appreciated. For what I saw was clear.

From the sidewalk looking in, I saw you at our usual table smiling. But, not at me. You were smiling at the couple with their little ones at the next table, playing peek-a-boo with the toddler. I also watch as you give up your chair to an elderly woman and move to a less accessible table where I will join you in a few minutes. You continue to smile as you enjoy the cafe, savor the day, and find comfort in our friendship.

I smile back unnoticed, thinking about how much we have shared. We are both attached, but longing for another connection lost in marriage long ago. We have become best friends. We confide in each other, lean on each other, look forward to each other. We share our dreams, fears, aspirations, goals, and daily thoughts. We are respectful of each other's home lives and understand the limited time and space, for this is common between us.

In this moment, I also reflect. The time we have spent in this coffeehouse is countless and unforgettable. Here we have enjoyed coffee kisses, a million laughs, smiles without reason, smiles for many reasons, 20 questions, planning our picnic in the park for your birthday, planning our day "camping" in the mountains, coordinating our business trips, discreet handholding, brushed legs, debates, shared daydreams, shared dreams, more coffee kisses, a rest after our walk along the river, debates, discussions, conversation, silence, seeing eye-to-eye, eye-gazing, happiness, pleasure, companionship, friendship, kindness, and love.

Eager to see what today brings, I walk through the doorway to find that you had already ordered my coffee with extra room. Your smile grows when you see me and your coffee kisses greet me.