When the Timing Finally Caught Up
Some love stories start with sparks.
Ours started with restraint, terrible timing, a broken ankle, a suspension, and a tiki bar.
Vince and I worked together for about a year—circling each other carefully, unmistakably drawn, but never crossing the line. He was with someone else. I had a hard no dating coworkers rule. So we did what responsible adults do: we pretended we didn’t notice the electricity and kept it professional. Mostly.
Then life intervened. Hard.
I got suspended from the hospital for what I still maintain was a very dumb reason, and in true stubborn fashion, I stayed away for two full months. No casual check-ins. No “just saying hi.” Just me, my thoughts, and the uncomfortable realization that I thought about him constantly.
Meanwhile—because timing loves irony—Vince broke his ankle on a camping trip and was also home for two months.
And somehow, improbably, impossibly, we both returned to work on the same day.
If you know Vince, you know he sends out a broadcast every night at work. That first night back, seeing his name pop up again felt like a door cracking open. I came back with one intention: actually talk to him and see if there was something real there—or finally put the question to rest.
So I messaged him a joke:
“I’ve been gone for two months and forgot how to be a nurse. Can you come help me?”
I thought it was funny.
He thought I was making fun of him for being gone.
Classic.
Over the next few days, we talked more—awkwardly at first, then easier. I tried, not very subtly, to get him to hang out with me outside of work. Eventually, we landed on a Saturday night.
I wasn’t even sure it was a date.
He later told me he wanted it to be one… he was just “going with the flow.” (Very on-brand.)
We chose Adrift—a moody, transportive little escape that feels like stepping into another world. Dim lights. Warm wood. Rum-forward cocktails that take their job seriously. It was the perfect neutral ground: relaxed, a little mysterious, not trying too hard—exactly what we needed.
Sitting across from him that night, it all finally made sense. The timing. The restraint. The missed chances. The months apart. We talked easily, laughed a lot, and let ourselves exist for 11 hours without hospital walls or professional boundaries between us. No rushing. No expectations. Just honesty and curiosity.
By the time we left, it was clear: this wasn’t a maybe. It wasn’t a “we’ll see.”
It was a finally.
Some stories don’t start when you want them to. They start when you’re ready—and when life has finished rearranging everything behind the scenes.
And sometimes, they start with a misunderstood joke, a shared return, and a first date at a tiki bar that felt like exactly where we were supposed to be all along. 🌴🥂
If you’re ever looking for the perfect spot for a first date (or really any memorable night out), you have to check out Adrift in Denver. It’s not just a bar—it’s a whole vibe. Think cozy, moody lighting, expertly crafted rum-forward cocktails, and a space that feels both intimate and effortlessly cool. Whether you’re into classic tiki drinks or something totally unique, their menu hits every note. It was the perfect backdrop for our first date, and honestly, it’s now one of our favorite go-to spots when we want to escape the ordinary and sip something delicious. 🍹✨
Highly recommend Adrift if you want great drinks, great atmosphere, and a night worth remembering.