Strikes and Sips

It all started on a quiet Tuesday morning at work. The hum of the office, the usual buzz of ringing phones and lighthearted chatter filled the air and were all just part of the usual backdrop. But that Tuesday was different. Our manager had announced a team-building event—a bowling party. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the idea of a few hours away from the usual grind of meetings and sales calls sounded like a welcome change. Little did I know that this event would introduce me to someone who would change my life.

I’d seen her around the office—quiet, composed, always in control. She had this calm energy about her, never one to raise her voice or seek attention. We exchanged polite nods in passing, and I knew she was smart and focused. She didn’t seem like the type to get caught up in office gossip or small talk. In a sea of outgoing personalities, she stood out for her reserved nature, and I admired her for it. But I never thought that quiet coworker would become the person I’d connect with the most.

When we arrived at the bowling alley, the usual cliques formed quickly. Some coworkers grouped together for friendly competition, while others stuck to their usual patterns. I ended up in a small group of people who weren’t particularly serious about bowling, and we were all just trying to figure out how the scoring worked.

When we got to the bowling alley, I noticed she was a little on the outside of things, standing by the bar, arms crossed, scanning the room like she wasn’t sure what to make of all the chaos. People were laughing, bowling in strange, exaggerated styles, and someone had already started a dance-off by the lanes. It was the kind of event where you either let go and had fun or stayed a little on the sidelines, observing.

I made my way over to her. "You look like you're contemplating life choices," I joked, standing beside her.She raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking up into a half-smile. "Just trying to figure out how this is supposed to be fun." Her voice was soft but carried that same grounded confidence I always admired."I can help with that," I grinned. "I’m terrible at bowling, but I’m great at finding the fun in it." I gave her a playful nudge. "Plus, I’ve got a few tricks to make this more interesting."She chuckled, clearly not buying it but still entertained. "I don’t know. I’m more of a 'stand in the back and observe' type of person."

I took a risk and offered, “Hey, how about I get us a drink? Long Island Iced Teas. It’s a company rule: they make everything more fun.”She hesitated for a second, then shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

We sat by the bar with our drinks, and that’s when I started to see a different side of her. The longer we talked, the more she relaxed. At first, her words were cautious, like she was keeping her distance—probably used to being in control and not sharing too much. But as the drinks kicked in and the bowling got louder, she started to open up.

“I’m not very good at this,” she admitted, her smile softening as she gestured toward the lane. “I was hoping I could just watch, but it looks like I’m up next.”

“Don’t worry,” I said with a wink. “You can’t get worse than me. I’ve been known to hit more gutter balls than actual pins.”She laughed, a real laugh, the kind that made me realize I’d never heard it from her before. It was like a door had opened, just a crack, and the more we talked, the more she let her guard down.

As the night progressed, the atmosphere grew even more laid-back. We found ourselves lingering by the bar, both of us having a bit too much fun to want the night to end just yet.

“So, what’s next?” I asked, leaning against the counter. “What’s the grand plan after all this intense bowling?”She paused, then grinned. “I don’t know, maybe more Long Island Iced Teas? You in?” Without missing a beat, I nodded. “Absolutely.”

We moved to a quieter corner of the venue, away from the chaos of the crowd. The air was cool and fresh, and the sounds of the bowling alley faded into the background. It felt like we were the only two people there, the night stretching out before us like a promise.

“I didn’t expect to have this much fun tonight,” she confessed, her voice softer again, but this time with a genuine warmth. “I don’t usually let myself relax like this, but I’m glad I did.”

I smiled, feeling a rush of affection for her at that moment. “I’m really glad you did, too.”

There was a pause, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what would happen next. But then, she stepped a little closer, her eyes meeting mine with an unspoken understanding. Without thinking, I leaned in, and our lips met in a kiss that was quiet but full of promise. It was simple, yet it felt like everything had fallen into place. All the walls she had built up around herself seemed to melt away, and in that kiss, I felt like I was seeing the real her—the one who wasn’t afraid to let go, to open up.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of laughter and more drinks, and from that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She went from being the quiet coworker I’d admired from afar to someone I couldn’t imagine my life without. Looking back, I still smile when I think about that bowling party. The night that started out as just another work event ended up being the beginning of something beautiful. She may have been reserved at first, but over a couple of Long Island Iced Teas and a few strikes, she revealed a side of herself I was lucky enough to get to know.

And somehow, that quiet, composed person became my everything.

Q + A coming soon!