Encounters That Leave a Lasting Impression: Stories of Connection and Inspiration

Have you ever met somebody just once and couldn't stop thinking about them? The experience is quite common. Meeting someone briefly can leave a strong impression often due to their personality, appearance, or a shared moment that resonates with us. This lingering thought can stem from curiosity, attraction, or even a sense of connection. It's a reminder of how impactful brief encounters can be in our lives.

In this article, we will dive into several extraordinary encounters that resonated with the author, leaving a lasting impression on their life. From a Marine at the San Diego Airport to a beautiful woman at a pride parade, to a kind referee and a quiet conversation in a Colorado tournament, these moments remind us of the power of human connection.

San Diego Airport Encounter

One late night at the San Diego Airport, still partially in gym clothes and a pair of heels, the first shoes I found in my closet, I saw a young Marine with kindness in his eyes. He had those eyes that felt like headlights and I was a deer running across the road. Our eyes locked, and it felt like all of the atmosphere disappeared at once— I couldn't breathe. I smiled because smiles are free, and why not give them away.

Browsing in one of the markets for my dinner a few minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and a sweet and masculine voice say, "Hey, I just wanted to say hi because I saw you in the terminal and thought you were gorgeous." We talked for hours until my flight left, and a month later, I stopped replying over text because words on a screen never quite compared to words made on the floor of a forlorn airport terminal. Words from genuine connection have a different power, and that encounter left a significant impact on my life.

Pride Parade Encounter

At my first Pride, I felt like I was being reborn live on the streets of San Francisco. Drag queens, tech workers, and beautiful butch ladies danced on the streets like fear wasn't a part of any of our pasts or futures. From a twirling clique of feathered ladies came one of the most gorgeous women I've ever seen. She was human with stretch marks on her thighs, a smudged eyeliner wing on her left eye, and a scar on her cheek that stretched her smile but she glowed like nothing I'd ever seen. All I could think was, "She's free, amazingly free."

Like an angel from above, she danced her way across the street and wrapped me in her arms. At 15, crazy with hormones and emotions, my head spun like her feathers and in what seemed like an eternity, we danced hand in hand. I'd like to think she was a large part of the reason I became the woman I am today—they showed me that radiating happiness is possible and encouraged me to embrace my own freedom.

Tournament Encounter in Denver

Last year at a tournament, I was feeling none too proud of myself, having accidentally injured three other girls in the first 30 minutes and taken some hard losses. As I sat on a bench near the exit, the lonely Denver air blowing, a referee sat down next to me. A grizzled old man with the mane of a lion and the roar of a bear, I braced myself, expecting him to tear me a new one. Instead, he started with, "You're X's kid, right?" X was my coach. For the next 15 minutes, on his lunch break, he sat with me and told me stories about my own coach X competing when he was my age. Although X wasn’t in Denver that time, I felt a bit steadier on my feet, and like some part of him was there with me. Additionally, I was lucky enough to see the gentle side of a ref who was usually seen as a man with a vocabulary of terse words and cards only.

Words of encouragement and the gentler side of a seemingly stern figure left a powerful impact. These moments serve as reminders that everyone has a softer side and can be a source of support and inspiration.

Aurora Telling Encounter

Another significant encounter occurred at yet another competition, all the way out in Colorado, somewhere about the outskirts of a tiny town called Aurora. At 14, my anxiety was nowhere near under control, and tournaments were still a novel experience. Predictably, in the hour before the tournament, I was having a panic attack out in the snow. A girl perhaps 20 years old walked up to me, sat down, and said, "You can hold my bear if you like." Wiping tears from my eyes to see what this chick was talking about, I saw a little teddy bear in a fencing uniform. Over the competition, I calmed down as she talked to me about how she too struggled with anxiety at my age and how fencing helped her get out of her shell. While she absentmindedly squeezed the bear, she told me about how her girlfriend made the fencing uniform for it and how her GF helped her through her panic attacks. I never saw the girl again, but that one day gave me hope that someday I'd be able to live with anxiety and find someone to weather the storm with. As it turns out, it did happen eventually. This year, it's a big reason why I'm running for team captain—to be that stabilizing voice for anyone who's new and struggling.

These encounters have not been in vain. They have become a cornerstone of my personal growth, inspiring me to be a better person and encouraging me to seek out and support others in their journey. Moments like these are essential in shaping our lives and reminding us of the power of human connection.