A I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries. A PhD student with not a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date. We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversation between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile-warm and reassuring-and I retuned her gift by smiling back. “Must be a special lady,” whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said. “Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’ s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s‘the one ，’”jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.” “Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said. ”My husband used to bring me flowers every week-even when tines were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days be was very romantic and-of course- I miss him since he’s passed away.” I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation. It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. “You have a wonderful evening,” I said. I left her with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers. I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her-that was the night than I won her heart . 41．Why was the writer in a hurry that day?