The Man from Dupont Circle

The looming threat of a winter storm in DC had me up early Friday morning, determined to catch the first flight out— eager to avoid an unplanned weekend in Chocolate City. I love DC, but no one wants to get stuck there.

I digress.

Unable to secure a seat on the first flight, I hopped on the Metro and headed back to my hotel for breakfast, planning to work and enjoy the extra five hours before my next flight.

While standing on the Metro platform, I began a simple prayer of gratitude, thanking God and the universe for the ability to do the work I do. That quickly shifted to submission. I spoke the following words aloud: "I will do what you ask of me today. Whatever you ask, I will say yes."

The train arrived. I got on, rode for three stops, transferred to another train—almost missing it—then two more stops, and I was back at the hotel in Dupont Circle. And that’s where you were, going up the escalator. You turned once, then looked back again, as if to make sure it was me. I noticed the double take right away.

As I reached the top of the escalator, you were standing there, waiting.

“Hello,” he said.“Hello,” I replied.

“Who are you?” he said.“Excuse me?” I replied.

He introduced himself. Then, to my surprise, asked, “Would you like to have coffee with me?”

“Huh?”

“Where are you headed? Maybe I can walk with you? Are you free for coffee?”

“Huh? Where?”

“I don’t know this place. I’m from France.”

My mind was racing with questions. I wanted to run, but something in me calmed. I heard a quiet voice say, “Yes.” So, I said it aloud.

We walked to the hotel, grabbed coffee, and ended up talking for two hours. Coffee turned into lunch, which turned into dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

The fortune cookie I got read: “It’s time to call your loved ones to share the wonderful news.”

I left DC.

Seven months later, he proposed, and again, I said YES.

We’re engaged. I love him, and the rest is history in the making.

Wedding: October 2025 in New Orleans.