After 25 years of having a bucket list with only one item, I (F60) crossed out that list by taking myself on a tropical vacation halfway around the globe. The resort was first class, and I also flew first class both ways. It was the best thing I have ever done for myself, and it was better than all of my 25 years of dreams.

I had to take three flights. On the flight from my city to the first stop (3.5 hours), I sat next to a man who looked about my age. He was very friendly and we started to chat. Very shortly we came to several shared interests, realized our careers align, learned he works for a company where I worked for several years and we worked there at the same. He is originally from a country I visited a few years ago and fell in love with — so much so that I considered uprooting my life and moving. Before I knew it, we had landed and would soon go our separate ways. But prior to that, he’d taken a picture of us and we’d traded cards. He was on his way to a far away country for work (his work is fascinating!).

A few days later, I sent a text that’d I’d enjoyed meeting him and if he wasn’t involved otherwise, I’d like to get together for coffee or a cocktail when we are both home again. He replied only by sending the photo of us on the plane.

Now, a month later, I sent another message, mostly innocuous but again asking about getting together. Two days later he replied with a lengthy message. He’s single, not in a relationship, currently traveling out of the country (that is his work), busy with work, spends a lot of time with his kids, and helps his mom and ex wife with medical issues, and is interested in meeting up sometime when things are not so busy.

I am very busy with my work as well, so I don’t have a ton of time to date, but I’ve always been open to meeting someone and starting a relationship if the stars aligned.

This is step 2 in a 347 step process, but I’m pretty happy right about now.