It happens to all of us. Falling in love with strangers.
At the unlikeliest of times, in the unlikeliest of places, your eyes lock with a stranger's, and it's as though time has stopped, the earth has stood still, and the stars have aligned to put the two of you in this place at this time. They seem familiar. Like you've known them your whole life. And yet there is so much mystery behind their familiar gaze. You want to stand there and ask them about their favorite books, movies, foods, and their hopes, dreams, and fears for the future.
But you can't.
Because you're strangers. But also because you're in this random place at this random time, and though you may not buy it, time has not stopped and the earth has not stood still. You need to carry on with your day, week, month-- life. You have other places to go besides the grocery store. There are people in line behind you at the post office, or the bank, or the dry cleaner. That man sitting across the restaurant from you is with his family, and is enjoying his meal.
And yet, in that short amount of time that you've managed to stare at each other for a little longer than necessary, you've concocted the glorious image of your life together in the next 5-10 years. You'll live in a quiet cottage on the lake and have a Jack Russel Terrier named Schmidt that runs laps around your expansive yard. He's an aspiring playwright, loves to cook, and spending time outdoors. All he needs to do is profess his undying love for you so the two of you can start your life together, already!
But alas, you don't know him. Not like that, anyway. You know he orders the same thing at Starbucks every morning, is well-dressed on his way to work, and has a picture of a dog as his phone background (creepy, but whatevs!). This fleeting moment that you share with this stranger is everything you've dreamed of and more. It doesn't matter that you don't know his last name (or maybe even his first name), where he grew up, or if he has any pets. In that instant, you're soulmates. That's pretty hard to argue with.
However, he leaves your world just as quickly as he entered it, and all you're left with is the mental image of his crooked smile and kind eyes, and your seemingly perfect life together. You may never see him again, but it doesn't really matter. You connected, even for a short time. He'll linger in your brain for the next few hours, maybe even through the end of the week. You'll pass his doppleganger on the street, and remind all of your friends about your five-second soulmate.
And then you'll do it all again the next day.
