MY RUBY TUESDAY STORY!

(Not actual girl, but you get the idea...)

Chances are good that my Blog bud Diane J. will remember this story too. Back in 2007, I sauntered into a Ruby Tuesday restaurant on (what else?) a Tuesday night. That's when Ned, the Bartender was on duty. On this evening, I sat at the bar to order dinner and a Grey Goose Vodka Screwdriver when across the small partitioned room, I spotted an absolutely beautiful young girl with shimmering blond hair who was obviously on a date. I asked Ned about her and learned that the girl was from Finland and the couple had met as exchange students. They had known each other for at least a year, if not longer. When she smiled, she lit up the room and was genuinely delightful. By the end of my meal, I asked Ned to get me a Fine Point Sharpie pen and a piece of white cardboard paper. He left the bar and returned about five minutes later. From his smile, I knew that he was curious about what I had in mind. This is roughly what I wrote after observing the couple on and off through my meal.

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My Friend: LIfe is very short. It is very fragile and very precious. Take it from an older guy who knows a few things about people in love. If the girl who is sitting with you at your table is even remotely as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, you'd be a damn fool not to propose to her TONIGHT.

Michael

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After paying my tab, I gave Ned a $20 bill as a separate tip. "Ned, I'm going to need your help", I said. "I want you to watch me walk out of here. As soon as I hit the front door, walk over to the couple's table and hand the guy this note. He's from here, so he can obviously read English. Make sure he reads this. I'll be back Thursday to find out how things went". From the look on Ned's face, he obviously had never done anything like this in his life! I walked out into the parking lot and hurried to my car to make a getaway. What happened after I left?

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Ned shook his head, pocketed the $20 bill and watched me walk to the Front Door. Immediately, he approached the couple and handed the surprised young man my note. The man smiled and asked where I went. Ned stood there and told him I had "a plane to catch"! The blond girl excitedly asked her boyfriend for a look at the note. By now, Ned had retreated to the bar and watched this "back and forth" routine go on with the couple laughing and sparring for 10 full minutes. Ultimately, the boyfriend surendered my note to her. I understand that when she finally read it, she was was ecstatic and there was much animated conversation and giggling! A week later, they returned for dinner and told Ned they had become engaged. The blond girl had laminated my note and kept it in her purse. I'd like to think she still has it. That night was a high point in my life, and it's a true story!

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WELCOME TO THURSDAY!