The day we became ‘role models’

My husband and I became role models in one short, two hour interval. This is how it all started. We had decided to take advantage of a package deal at one of the hotels in Philadelphia one weekend. The offer included a visit to the Franklin Institute, free parking, as well as a $20 discount at one of 3 restaurants.

We checked out the restaurants on google as to their proximity to the hotel. Since both of us aren’t averse to walking, we chose the Olde Inn, which was formerly Bookbinders. Since I was there, in my early 20s, for an office Christmas party, I thought it would be great to see the place again.

At the restaurant, on our trip, the hostess showed us to a booth near the back of the room, possibly because she guessed us to be elderly. We noticed lots of young people on the way to be seated. A young couple, who later were joined by another young couple, sat at a high table and stools, across from us.

Although the place became rather crowded and noisy, we enjoyed chatting over a beer and a glass of wine until our dinner was ordered.

While sitting, I noticed the young couple often looking over at us. At some point I said to Harry, “Is there a TV on the wall in back of me?” He said, “No. Why?” “For some reason, the young couple keeps eyeing us and smiling at each other. Neither of us, as of yet, dribbled anything on our clothes. I wonder what’s so intriguing about us.”

After about 2 hours enjoying our food and chatting, we decided to head back to our hotel. While standing up, I was trying to figure out how to put on my short, frilly wing-like jacket. I love it, but you have to find the label under the frills, so you know which side is up. In the midst of this, the young gal, that had been eyeing us all evening, jumped down off her stool and asked, “May I help you?”

I handed her the jacket, “Gladly. Find the label on it so I can get in it.”

Once she had the jacket on me — right side up — she said, “We were eyeing you two all evening. You’re role models for us. I want to grow up to be just like you.”

We said our thank you and left.

On the walk back, I questioned, “Why were we role models?”

Harry said, “Maybe because we talked to each other all evening. Some couples don’t talk,”

“Or maybe, they thought it was awesome for an elderly couple to be in a place where there are mostly young ones,” I chimed in.

I think we both fell asleep that night, while visions of “role models” danced in our heads.

“Maybe because we talked to each other all evening. Some couples don’t talk.” — Harry Koch