LinkedIn Connection Accidentally Becomes In-person Connection…Almost.

I could talk to a wall. I probably have. And likely not under the influence.

It’s part of my “most-excitable-person-you’re-likely-to-meet” charm. Former roommates will recall my nauseatingly chipper early morning greetings.

Me: “Hi.” (approaching frequency range exclusive to dogs)

Roommate: (groan)

Me: “How are you?” (smiles wide-eyed and earnestly)

Roommate: “Fine.” (averts eyes)

Me: “Big day?”

Roommate: “I don’t know.” (contemplates face punch)

After briefly humoring my questions, we get on with our respective days.

“Strangers are just friends I haven’t yet met.” – me (literary brag but I probs plagiarized someone)

I’ve said this countless times. And it’s been true for 37 years.

Until this past Tuesday.

There I was, diligently taking notes at a digital health conference when a tall man with smart glasses sat two chairs away from me. I just missed making eye contact with him but caught his general likeness and thought to myself: “He looks familiar.” One chin scratch later, I placed him: "We’re connected on LinkedIn. But we’ve never met in person."

This man was an anomaly. I don’t accept LinkedIn invitations from people I’ve never met (unless they email with a reason).

I can’t recall why but he’d slipped through my digital fortress a couple years ago. Which I suppose is now more of a patio since I have a blog. (Where’s the grill?)

I spent the next few minutes half-focused on the speaker, half-contemplating how to bridge the digital divide (which is usually a 10-second conversation with myself).