On a cold day in April, Linda was stressed at work - she directs summer camp and environmental education and art programs for a youth organization. She never goes out to lunch, but thought leaving the office might break the negative cycle of the day.
In the Plymouth Meeting Cracker Barrel's parking lot, Linda spotted a bright red Corvette parked far, far away from the other cars. That kind of irked Linda, so she parked her light blue Honda CRV right beside it.
Linda's dog Pete, who had an after-work appointment with the vet, had been napping in the car while Linda worked. She figured she'd walk him around the lot before going inside.
That's when the sports car's door opened.
Linda, who might not have been so bold had she realized the Corvette was occupied, prepared for an angry inquiry about her parking job.
But the man who emerged had a different question: "What kind of dog is that?"
David, a retired banker who lived in Phoenixville, was curious about Pete. But he was intrigued by the moxie of this woman in the CRV. "I knew this person may be interesting."
"He's a Vizsla," Linda said. David walked around the parking lot with Linda and Pete, and David synchronized his steps with hers.
"If you're here having lunch by yourself, would you like to sit with me?" he asked.
During lunch, David, who is now 62, showed Linda photos of his grown daughters, Candace and Christina. (He, too, had been married for about 20 years, and also divorced for about 20.) David told her about his 1931 Ford hot rod - the same model that was in American Graffiti.
Linda, who is now 60, told David all about Pete, and her recent completion of her yoga teacher training.
The more David learned about Linda, the more he liked. He suspected the dedication it took to practice yoga would also be applied to a relationship.
