Gym Crush

It was raining cats and dogs as I headed out of the gym this morning. I usually look behind me to keep the door open for those in form following. But this morning, I was preoccupied with the rain, and so as the door was closing behind me, as an afterthought, I realized it was about to close in on someone. I uttered an apology before making eye contact and I came face to face with my gym crush.

I've never before outright labeled him as such. But I believe the label fits.

I'd seen him around the gym on and off for about 6 months now. In fact at one point I am certain that he noticed me glance at him. I like to refer to it as a case of "She's watching the detectives." He had walked by me and I paused a few beats before casually trailing him with my eyes. Imagine my surprise when I realized that he was attempting to surreptitiously watch me through a gym mirror. When I made this discovery, I looked away smiling. I don't think he realized that I had seen him watching me. But I know he saw me smile in his direction.

Ever since I ceased using the machines located at the lower level of the gym, I rarely ever saw him. He primarily worked out down stairs on the weight machines and I felt more comfortable upstairs with the cardio machines and free weights.

I apologized for almost allowing the door to close in on him, and he smiled somewhat shyly and said it was ok. He then walked around me, still smiling, and continued on towards his post workout destination.

I briefly entertained the thought of proffering my umbrella to give us both shelter from the rain and seizing this fortuitous opportunity to engage him in conversation. But as I was completely surprised by the unexpected close encounter and so completely unprepared, there was no other recourse but to let the moment slip away. And so with longing and frustration as I watched him turn the corner, I had an epiphany.

Prior to this moment, I had never thought about speaking with him. I had just accepted that while I was a member of this gym, I would watch him from afar--reminiscent of my actions towards many of my crushes back in highschool. But in that moment, it dawned on me that my school girl crushes were fortified by my knowledge of the young men through class and social interactions. Watching my gym crush from afar did not give me much to go on as to what type of person he was. And so right then and there, standing in front of my gym under my umbrella in the pouring rain, I realized I wanted to know more about him. And as I was curious enough, there was only one other possible plan of action: Next time, if the opportunity presented itself, I had to be prepared to ask him out.

I was over the moon thrilled that the Universe had given me this opportunity to run into him. If the Universe could orchestrate something so pleasantly unexpected, why not be prepared for a repeat--especially now that I was intent on clearly and consciously stating my desires?


Never before have I initiated asking out a member of the opposite sex (and I am well aware of several of the root causes of that underdeveloped impulse). But here was a potential silver lining on the dark cloud of lost opportunity: something in me wanted to be active rather than passive. If the Universe afforded me the opportunity again, I would not let it pass me by.


Dear Universe, I don't know anything about him expect that I think he is attractive. Please ground me as I weather the temptation to get lost in unrealistic fantasies (unrealistic because at this point I don't know him from Adam). If you give me another chance to run into him, I will ask him out for a friendly cup of tea. That being stated, I ultimately ask that this unfold as you would have it unfold because I trust you would have it unfold for the greatest good for all involved. And if that means I won't have another opportunity to engage him in conversation, that's ok too.

No matter the outcome, I can say without a doubt that it sure was lovely to have today's unexpected exchange:)