Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. Or, if you hate Valentine’s Day, as some people do, happy Jeongwol Daeboreum, which is a Korean holiday celebrating the first full moon of the lunar year.
As a disclaimer, this story is totally fictitious. I only say that because my wife reads my blog and I really don’t want her mad at me on Valentine’s Day.
Her name is Sally, according to her nametag. I’m not saying I’m going to marry her someday, but I’m not saying I’m not either. Let me tell you how it all started.
On the day I met her, my day wasn’t going well. If days were rated by cable news, that one would have been Bad Dayocalypse. I don’t remember why now, I just know I was in the foul mood when I walked into the new Java Bean.
I’ll always remember the first words she said to me: “Can I take your order?” Then she gave me a smile that lifted my spirit to the heavenly realm. It was more than just a polite smile. There was something there.
When she handed me my cafe latte (with another glowing smile), my heart skipped a beat. She had drawn a heart in the cream on top! This girl seriously had a thing for me. Things were moving so fast, but I felt invigorated. The day had gotten a lot better.
Love at first sip.
My Barista Loves Me
Our relationship settled into a routine. I went to the Java Bean every day she worked (it took me a week or so to figure that out) and ordered my regular. Almost every time, she would draw a heart in the foam on top. It was like her signal to me that everything was still okay. I used to watch her work, trying not to be jealous when she smiled at other customers. That’s just her job. She has to be polite to them, I would think, over and over. It doesn’t mean anything with them, like it does with me.
Then came the day I happened to walk by the counter as she was giving another customer his coffee. There was a heart drawn on his too! It was almost too much for me. Had everything she had done for me been a sham? No, of course not, but was her love for me waning now? I couldn’t go back to the Java Bean for a couple days, but when I did, she smiled at me as always. I was tempted to say something cutting, but I didn’t. When I got my coffee, it had a string of three little hearts on top and all my anger melted. It was like this was her apology to me.
These days, we’re like an old married couple. I love our banter as she’s taking my money or making the coffee. “Cold weather today, eh?” I say. “Sure is,” she replies. Is that just like her? Boy, I love her.
I’m not sure if this has a future or not, but for now I’m just taking it slow. Still, no matter what happens, I know my barista loves me.
The Green-Walled Tower 
February 14th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
Oh, that poor delusional man. I hope he tips her well. She has to make a living somehow. 😉
MG
February 15th, 2014 at 10:34 pm
I’m sure he’ll at least do that. I like stories where everyone is in on the actual story except for the main character. The Onion does those kind of stories well.
February 14th, 2014 at 4:41 pm
My barista is cool! She teaches me new things. http://blockader.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-jenn/
February 14th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
he is heading for a heartbreak! poor guy!
February 15th, 2014 at 10:30 pm
Yes, very probably, unless he never makes a move and so never learns his mistake. I was considering writing a mirror piece from the barista’s point of view where she really did like him and everything he thought was absolutely true, just to mess with people’s assumptions. 🙂
February 17th, 2014 at 11:35 pm
exactly. i firmly advocate for approaching anyone you truly love/admire/ fancy on in a direct, polite way- there are so many ways now… thanks to technology.
But never pour your heart out without a response from the other side, simple, earnest approach is enough for beginning.
After all, how else will the other person know?
February 14th, 2014 at 5:34 pm
In the days, weeks and months ahead – I see someone drinking lots of coffee.
One usually goes on a coffee binge, after getting pissed!
February 15th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Hopefully, the coffee is cheaper than it is here in Korea, otherwise it could be an expensive habit. Here’s about 4 euros average for a cup, some places as high as 6 or so.
February 14th, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Oh, those shady baristas — they do like to play with your heart. I know far too well to pain of learning my barista had eyes for another.
February 15th, 2014 at 10:20 pm
They smile and play nice, but they really just want your money. Shameless. 🙂
February 16th, 2014 at 11:49 pm
Coffee is good and so are the women who make it. It tastes much better than deer blood mixed with crushed berries.
February 17th, 2014 at 12:07 am
I’m sure it must.
February 17th, 2014 at 3:33 am
What a tease! 🙂
February 21st, 2014 at 2:59 am
Those hearts would do it for me, too! Time to drink more coffee now.
February 21st, 2014 at 10:48 pm
If you could tip baristas over here, I would think they are just doing it for that. Some get pretty elaborate with the pictures they draw on top. I feel kind of bad messing them up.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:57 pm
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