As a radio host, I’ve spent years weaving stories and connecting with people. I’ve played the roles of therapist, cheerleader, and matchmaker—but always for others. My love life? Well, it’s been pretty much non-existent, overshadowed by the tales I’ve helped my listeners tell. But then came the call that flipped the script.
It was a quiet Tuesday morning in December. Snowflakes were falling gently outside the studio window as I sifted through listener calls during my show. Most were the usual—holiday stress, gift-giving dilemmas, family dramas. And then came him.
“Hi, this is Chris,” he said, his voice smooth and warm, like caramel over a fire. There was a confidence to it, but not in an arrogant way. It was the kind of voice that made you lean in closer, even when you’re already wearing headphones.
“Hello, Chris,” I replied, leaning into the microphone. “What can I do for you today?”
He hesitated for a beat before answering. “Actually, this is for you. I’ve been listening to your show for a long time, and I think you’re incredible. Smart, funny, compassionate. So, I was wondering… would you go on a date with me?”
Dead air. The golden rule of radio is never to leave dead air, but I was stunned. My producer was frantically waving at me from behind the glass, mouthing, “Say something!”
“A… a date?” I stammered, my cheeks heating up.
“Yes. A blind date. Just you, me, and the Christmas magic,” he said smoothly.
The audience was losing it. Calls and messages flooded in, urging me to say yes. Against my better judgment—and perhaps caught up in the spirit of the season—I agreed.
We set the time and place: 6 p.m., under the massive Christmas tree in the town square. All day, I couldn’t focus. Who was this man? What did he look like? Was he really who he claimed to be? I tried to calm my nerves, but my imagination ran wild.
By the time 6 p.m. rolled around, the square was bustling with holiday cheer. Kids ran around, couples sipped hot cocoa, and carolers sang beneath the sparkling lights of the tree. I took a deep breath and stepped into the glow, scanning the crowd.
And then, I saw him. Or rather, them.
Two men stood beneath the tree, both holding single red roses. Both smiling nervously. Both… staring at me.
“Hi,” one of them said, stepping forward. He was tall, with dark hair and glasses that gave him a bookish charm. “I’m Chris.”
“No, I’m Chris,” the other man interjected, flashing a confident grin. He had sandy blond hair and an athletic build, the kind of guy who looked like he belonged on a ski slope.
I blinked, utterly confused. “Wait… what?”
“I’m the one who called you on the radio,” said Glasses Chris.
“No, I’m the one who called,” countered Blond Chris.
I stared at them, my mind racing. Was this some kind of prank? A mix-up? My producer, who had insisted on tagging along incognito, was hiding behind a nearby bench, laughing hysterically.
“Okay,” I said, holding up my hands. “One of you is lying. Or maybe both of you. Care to explain?”
“I swear, it was me,” Glasses Chris said earnestly. “I’ve been listening to your show for years. You’re amazing, and I thought this would be the perfect way to meet you.”
“Same here,” said Blond Chris, though his tone was less convincing. “I’ve called in before, remember? About my dog eating my Christmas cookies?”
{banner_1111}I vaguely remembered that call, but it didn’t prove anything. “Alright,” I said, crossing my arms. “If you’re both so sure, tell me something specific about what we talked about on the call.”
Blond Chris faltered, glancing away. Glasses Chris, however, smiled. “You mentioned how much you love the smell of fresh pine trees and how your favorite Christmas movie is It’s a Wonderful Life.”
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He was right. My shoulders relaxed slightly. “Okay,” I said, turning to Blond Chris. “Anything to add?”
“Uh… you said something about holiday magic?” he offered weakly.
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“That’s what you said,” I replied, my suspicion confirmed.
Blond Chris shrugged, flashing a sheepish grin. “Alright, you caught me. I overheard the call at the gym and thought it’d be fun to crash the date. Can you blame me? You’re even prettier in person.”
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“Wow,” I said, incredulous. “Points for honesty, I guess.”
Blond Chris chuckled, handed me his rose, and walked away, blending into the crowd. That left me alone with Glasses Chris, who looked equally amused and mortified.
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“Well, that was… unexpected,” he said, scratching the back of his neck.
“You’re telling me,” I replied, laughing.
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The awkward tension melted away as we started talking, and within minutes, it felt like we’d known each other forever. We ended up grabbing hot cocoa and wandering through the square, talking about everything from Christmas traditions to embarrassing childhood stories.
By the time the night ended, I knew one thing for sure: sometimes, the best gifts are the ones you never see coming.