You know those unfortunate, hopeless situations in life where you screwed something up so bad that all you can say is: “Oh shit”?
Yeah, I have those all the time.
But I had a particularly bad one last year when I was backpacking through Europe – come to find out this morning (about 14 months later), my “Oh shit” moment helped two people find LOVE. And MORE!
It was March of 2011.
I was in Greece.
Athens, to be more specific.
Before I got there, I had made Couchsurfing arrangements online with a very cool gal named Filenia.
Filenia is a professional cellist for the National Greek Orchestra. Cool, right?! I got to attend dress rehearsals for Opera Antigone, see a Russian choir perform at the Athens Concert Hall, and celebrate earth hour while Filenia performed her first ever cello solo in the chic, trendy Kolonaki area.
Filenia and I clicked instantly. She and her friends showed me a really good time and they introduced me to some seriously cool spots in Athens (The Art Foundation and the garden at Six D.O.G.S. are two of the coolest nightlife innovations I’ve ever seen). And needless to say, my days in Athens were filled with music.
The music stopped abruptly, however, when I made a terrible mistake. Filenia left for orchestra rehearsal early one morning, and left me with one task: let the puppy out to do her business in the afternoon.
You see, Filenia had a new puppy, an adorable Kokoni dog named Nida. Nida, the precious little thing, was in heat — aka ready to be mounted by the next horny dog that sees her.
“Thy, please don’t let me get pregnant!Well, I let Nida out the back door, which opens up into a private fenced-in backyard. She came back when she was finished and that was that. I thought nothing of it.
When Filenia came home that evening, she thought Nida was behaving strangely.
She asked if I had let Nida out.
I said yes.
She asked if I’d gone outside with her.
I said no.
Enter instant panic.
Turns out, the neighbors have a very horny dog that’s been trying to get all up in Nida’s business the whole week, and this dog has been digging his way under the fence day after day.
The fact that I let Nida out without supervision was a huge no-no. So on the off chance that that horny little bastard got past the fence and popped Nida’s cherry, Filenia found herself terribly distraught. Here she was, opening up her home to a random backpacker, and now she might have a pregnant puppy because of it.
“Oh shit” is right.
I felt awful. Filenia was so upset, I thought she might actually ask me to pack my bags and leave! I didn’t know what I could possibly do to right this wrong. But I definitely knew that dwelling on the situation wasn’t going to make it better. If Nida did get pregnant, what could we do about it now?
I took a breather from my desperate apologies, and insisted we go out for a drink. Absolutely demanded it. Filenia was resistant at first, but she eventually came around and agreed that sulking wasn’t going to repair anything. Only time was gonna tell if Nida was damaged goods.
So we went out. We went to a bar. I bought her a couple drinks to calm her down. Eased her into some girl talk. We talked about life, we talked about love, we talked about travel.
Enter George.
A smooth-talking photographer started chatting her up, and the two hit it off. Filenia, ever the hard-to-get girl, said she hoped to see him again but didn’t give him her number. She told me later she wished she had. So a few days later, I went back to the bar and spotted a poster on the wall promoting a photography exhibit. Based on a conversation I had eavesdropped on between Filenia and George on that first night, I had a hunch that the poster – and the contact information on it – was for the George.
And I was right.
I jotted down the contact info, gave it to Filenia and insisted she call him. Not only did they get in touch – and fall for each other, and travel together – fourteen months later, Filenia and George are expecting a child together!!!
I received a most beautiful message from Filenia this morning, thanking me for my royal screw-up and for inadvertently connecting her with the love of her life.
Filenia had previously told me that her Couchsurfers often find love after staying at her place. She’s had amazing stories of travelers finding romance while passing through her home – she’s even received wedding invitations from her former guests all over the world! This good fortune eluded me somehow (sad face!) but that’s because the universe wanted Filenia to find love instead (happy face!).
And in case you’re wondering, Nida never did get knocked up. It was mommy’s turn after all!
This is a WONDERFUL story. Here I was worried about the dog as usual, but the people actually made out better this time around. Yeah!
- Chandra
Thanks Chandra! I was so moved by Filenia’s email, I just had to share the story. So glad there was a happy ending and not a pregnant puppy! Maybe next time I crash her magical couch, I’ll be the one finding love
Awesome story!!
- Creen
Holy crap that puppy is cute! Oh. And it’s an AWESOME story about your friend!
Hey thanks Creen! Thanks Addy! Suuuper cute dog.
This story is amazing! You always have such a way with words! You bring it to life, Thy! I am in awe of all your adventures! Congrats to your friend! You bring happiness wherever you go! Cheers Girly!!
Thanks Daniel! So happy for her. I love spreading love!
Wow, so that ‘oh shit’ moment happened for a reason! What a great story!
Everything *does* happen for a reason
Thy, I loved this cute happy ending story. Keep’em coming. Can you come sleep on my couch and let Boba out to pee too?
amazing story!!!!!!!you’re awesome! xo and thanks for your birthday wish
Phong – Yes, if you want a pregnant Boba.
Romain – Thanks! We’ll have to do a late birthday celebration next time I’m in Paris xx
Oh wow a lot has happened in a year, I remember that night and listening to Filenia play, and something about her not thinking it’s worth her time to play for only 100euros an hour! Well thy u not only found her love, u kept us up all night which made us aware it was daylight savings, which made is not miss our ferry, thanks!
Jeff
Jeff! I thought about you and Matt as I was writing this post. Amazing how chance encounters can turn out!
I guess I owe you a public apology Thy and a huge thank you!!!
Our baby girl is 4 months old today and as i write these words she is happily sleeping in her father´s arms.So yes I guess couch surfing did bring me luck but it was Thy that really made the difference!
She let the dog out and now I am a mom!!! Who would have beleived such a story!Thank you gal!
P.S. We are thinking about letting Nida have puppies! I´ll let you know in case you want to adopt one!
Love Filenia, George, baby and Nida
Ohhhh Filenia…picturing you and George with your little girl warms my heart beyond words! I can’t wait to meet her someday! Love you all xx