I Met a Writer from Medium!

It was terrific to meet a true cyber friend in the flesh

When I started writing on Medium, I never thought of the larger implications as a writer. That I would attract a following; people who enjoyed reading my personal or opinionated stories and quips.

First and foremost, I’m a nursing teacher; I never considered myself a writer.

Over the past year of writing on the platform, I’ve noticed my regular supporters. The ones who always read, clap, and comment. We all know how valuable their existence is. I would not be here if it weren’t for their engagement that authenticated this newfound passion of mine.

Nor did I ever imagine connecting with another writer on a friendship level. I’d engaged with a special writer in some facetime exchanges. We supported each other in both our stories and personal lives. We are often on the same wavelength and somehow write stories on similar subjects.

It’s rather uncanny!

When I realized I would be in the same city as this woman, I reached out to her, asking if she would like to meet. I was beyond thrilled when she said she would. We ironed out the details; the place and time of a face-to-face rendezvous.

Was this for real? Would it happen? Or was it all going to fizzle into nothing — either one of us getting cold feet or life circumstances getting in the way?

Let the anticipation begin.

I’ll admit to being a bit nervous. I’ve met men after chatting with them on dating sites, and they’ve usually been an enormous disappointment. They’ve either not looked anything like their profile pictures or been full of themselves. I doubted she would be like them, but it was a similar situation.

I only knew her from the internet.

I felt reasonably confident she would recognize me instantly; what you see online is who I am in the flesh. But will she look like her profile pic? I have no reason to think she’s a fake; her written words always seemed authentic and heartfelt. One tends to exude their true personality through written expression, and I liked what I saw.

I pondered what to wear. I was travelling light to avoid losing more time waiting for a checked-in bag at the airport. These days, they nail you for putting luggage on the hold.

Meh! I’m not into fancy clothes and would rather be the real me than some dolled-up chick. Jeans, a comfortable, loose shirt, and my trusty wrap fit the bill.

Should I give her the traditional two-cheeked kiss greeting us Québecers are akin to doing, or perhaps hold back, aware that Covid is still lurking? I decided to just see what felt right at the moment.

What will we talk about? Will the time fly by, or will I wish I hadn’t suggested this meeting in the first place if awkwardness permeates our meeting?

The moment of truth.

Despite driving in the completely wrong direction for what felt like ages as my GPS decided to fall asleep at a critical moment, I found the Tim Hortons and walked into the restaurant just a few minutes late.

Even though she had messaged me to tell me where she was sitting, I would have easily found her.

Hello, Karen Schwartz!

I’m a bit lost for words to describe the moment I met Karen face to face. If anything, it was surreal; there she was, looking as happy as I felt. Her long curly hair was just as I imagined from her profile pic. Her smile stretched from ear to ear. Does it sound weird to say she even spoke as I had envisioned?

Our conversation was as lively in person as it had been via Facebook chat or text. We were both a bit overcome by the moment. We had so much to talk about and such little time! Where do we start?

There was no need to worry. The conversation meandered like a gentle brook brushing over rocks, flowing easily like the passage of time. We talked about why I was in her neck of the woods, our kids, and Medium. We shared our thoughts and perspectives on the site and the writers we follow — or not.

I had no regrets about asking her to meet me. I just wish we had more time. Before long, I had to get on my merry way to catch my flight back home.

I knew Karen had been super cautious about Covid, but before jumping in our respective cars, we snapped some photos and sealed our friendship with a parting hug.

Thanks, Karen, for agreeing to meet me in person. You are a wonderful soul, and I am eternally thankful — and fortunate — to have met you, not only on Medium but in person!