If this were a movie, the opening scene would start with me dragging a suitcase through a crowded train station, hair a bit messy, coffee in one hand, phone in the other, typing a message I’d been rewriting for ten minutes:

“Hey! I’m in your city for a few days… want to grab coffee?”

Cue dramatic pause.

That’s how this story begins — me, on a trip, realizing my old crush lived in the very country I was visiting.

We used to work together — shared the same chaotic portfolio, survived endless meetings, and bonded over common deliverables, never ending expectations and funny conversations. 🤦‍♀️

Somewhere between playful Skype messages and shared interests, I developed a quiet little crush. The kind you never act on because you don’t want to make things weird and also because you are too busy pretending you don’t care.

Eventually, life happened. I moved to a different job, we lost touch, and of course, no one made any special effort… because it is not a movie.

But there I was, months later, on vacation, staring out the window like a lead character in a Netflix rom-com, wondering if texting him would be a terrible idea. Spoiler: I sent it anyway. 🤭

Fast-forward a day, and I’m standing outside a cute little cafe that looked straight out of Pinterest. I’m trying to look “effortlessly chill” while my brain screams: Okay, breathe. Don’t trip. Don’t spill coffee. And overthinking every possible greeting. Do I hug him? Wave? Why am I overthinking this so much?!

When I saw him, it felt both strange and familiar — like meeting someone from another chapter of your life. We hugged, smiled, and slipped into easy conversation, the kind that feels natural but carries a quiet undercurrent of how this used to mean more to me than you know.

Same easy smile, same energy that once made long workdays brighter. We talked for hours — about life, jobs, random things that didn’t really matter but somehow did. It wasn’t romantic, not really. It wasn’t awkward either. It was just… nice. Like catching up with a version of yourself who used to dream a little more.

When we said goodbye, there were no sparks flying or dramatic music swelling in the background. But there was a quiet warmth and the feeling that something ordinary had become special, just because we let it happen.

Walking back to my hotel, I realized that not every connection needs expectations or labels. Sometimes the best moments are the ones that simply are — small stories that makes your heart feel lighter and smile a bit deeper.

So, if you ever think about reaching out to someone like an old friend, a crush, anyone — just do it. Don’t overthink it. Don’t script it. Don’t expect anything. Just go. Have the coffee. Share the moment.

Sometimes, that one small “hey, want to meet up?” is all it takes to remind you that life can still surprise you in the sweetest ways. And you never know — it might just become one of the best memory or a happy part of your life.

☕💫