message in a bottle, missed connections

The missed connections classified ad/craigslist posting is a modern day version of a message in a bottle. It says I want to reach someone, but I don’t know how, so I’m just gonna throw my words out there and hope they are found. And then there is people that really go the extra mile:

Back in September, I was on my way to the mall with my family. My husband was driving and my two boys were in the back seat. We were going down a busy street and I saw this handmade sign that said,

Diane
I forgot to
get your
number
Greg

I read the sign out loud and my husband said, “I saw more of those on the other side of town yesterday.” So we were joking about it, and imagining the scenario by which Greg had managed to have such an unforgettable time with Diane, but still neglected to ask for her phone number at the end of their encounter. Drunk in a bar was the most obvious thought that came to mind. But maybe it was coffee at a local cafe. Maybe it was a party at a friends house.

But there wasn’t anything on the sign to indicate what Diane should do in order to get in touch with Greg. No number or address or directions. Does Diane already have Greg’s number but he was afraid she wouldn’t call him? Do they have mutual friends? In which case, was the public signage really necessary? And if she doesn’t and they don’t, then what is she supposed to do? Write her own number on the sign?

Still, it seemed like a such a good-hearted gesture, I couldn’t help but root for Diane and Greg to reconnect with each other. I hope they are, by now, falling madly in love with each other. Someday Greg will ask Diane to marry him. He’ll hire a sky writer to inscribe his proposal message in fluffy cloud letters, or maybe he’ll use a airplane banner instead. She’ll be reminded of that very first sign, “Diane, I forgot to get your number, Greg” and she’ll answer his proposal with an enthusiastic, “YES!”