Best of the Best??

My favorite airport wine bar is at Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle. I found it a couple of years ago, seeking a relaxing glass of wine between connections and have since attempted to make it part of my trip anytime I’m there – it’s a refuge from the chaos, complete with a cheese menu and an impressive wine list. Several months ago, I sampled a flight of three whites. Upon finishing the tasting, I selected a clear favorite – a 2005 Italian pinot grigio - and ordered a glass. At that time, it seemed to be the absolutely best pinot grigio I had ever tasted. The coasters are specific to each wine, providing the varietal, vintage and tasting notes. I carefully tucked my coaster away, willing myself to remember to search for the wine in my local wine shop.

A few months later, I found myself again between flights at Sea-Tac, near giddiness at the opportunity to visit “my spot” again. After rummaging through my wallet, I uncovered the crumpled coaster and proudly placed my wine order by displaying it for the server. The anticipation was delicious as I anxiously awaited the first few sips. However, when it arrived, the first sip was absolutely nothing like I had remembered! It was a bit sharp, slightly acidic and seemed to have a medicinal quality to its finish. It was far from the magic I had enthusiastically expected. Upon confirmation that it was indeed the same exact wine and was a perfectly healthy bottle, the questions began to form in my mind… Had I simply adored it the first time because it was the “best” compared to the other available choices? Additionally, had I liked it the first time but then made it so much bigger and better in my mind that there was no way it could ever possibly live up to my exceedingly high expectations? And slightly more concerning, am I doing the same thing with the guy I recently met???

Ryan and I met several weeks ago and due to being unable to coordinate schedules (both of us travel extensively for work), we have talked on the phone but have not yet scheduled our first official date. I met him on a flight, while stranded in the middle seat, surrounded by an adolescent Girl Scout troop going on their first plane ride. He was a calm island in a sea of noise and chaos. I couldn’t help but wonder though: was he like the 2005 Italian pinot grigio? Did I find him so witty, so brilliant and so attractive simply because of the surroundings in which we met? Furthermore, was I building him up to be even better - larger than life, really - the longer we waited to schedule our date??

Honey or Lemon?? In my quest to define my Honey and Lemons, isn’t it part of my mission to aim for objectivity (as much as the heart allows) in defining my H&L’s, rather than just selecting the “best guy on the airplane”??