The Missed Opportunity

In the Spring of 1998 Ryan and I were 18 years old and almost one year post high school. I was living in Colorado, attending my local community college, and working to save up for a university. Ryan was still living in Wyoming, working, and trying to figure out the next step in his life.

During my first year of community college I would often go up to Rock Springs to use the library. You have to remember there was a time before the internet.

 NO, it cannot be! , you say.

But, alas it is true. When I was in college I actually had to go to a library and look in a book. Terrifying, I know. Those were hard times. (man that makes me feel old) Anyway, Rock Springs has a great library system and a really good research library at Western Wyoming Community College. My tiny Podunk town did not have either of those things.

So, on my trip to the library I would usually stop in and see Ryan. At some point during those visits things actually started to click with us (for real this time). I didn't walk away annoyed. I was always sad to go and eager to see him again. Between visits we would email and talk on the phone. I really felt that things were working this time. Unfortunately, I was the only one who felt that way.

After I had been up to see him 3 or 4 times, we decided that we would meet halfway one day and do some hiking. The drive between our two towns is a little over two and a half hours. About halfway, there is a beautiful spot called Irish Canyon. It's the best part of the whole drive. They have a little campground and that is where we were to meet. He never showed.

At no point did he ever give me any indication that he would not be there. So I sat there on the picnic table. I don't know how long I waited. This was also the age before everyone had cell phones (barbaric, right?). So, I couldn't even call to see if he had left or anything. I worried that he might be in an accident or that his car broke down. Maybe a family emergency came up and he tried to call me but I had already left my house. I thought of all these reasons, but I NEVER thought that he would intentionally not show up. Ryan wouldn't do that to me. I was wrong.

For the next week I called and emailed. He never contacted me back. I know a blow off when I see it. I was the master of them myself.

That summer I moved to Logan to attend Utah State University. I never expected to see or hear from Ryan again. Once again I was wrong, but it would be two more years before we were, once again, in each other's lives.