Addison’s life revolves around her demanding job as a neurologist, leaving little time for romance. When her cheerful coworker Nathan sets her up on a blind date with a seemingly perfect guy named Jake, she finally feels a spark of hope. However, after Addison shares her three-year dating rule, her date abruptly leaves. What went wrong?
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I always thought my life would stay the same.
Day in and day out, the hospital consumed all my time.
A smiling young doctor | Source: Midjourney
My name is Addison, and I work as a neurologist. My days are filled with patients, charts, and endless rounds.
It’s a fulfilling job, but it leaves little room for anything else, especially dating.
A busy young woman | Source: Midjourney
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One day, while grabbing a quick coffee in the break room, my coworker Nathan walked in with a bright smile on his face.
Nathan is always in a good mood, no matter how stressful the day gets.
A smiling doctor | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, Addison,” Nathan said, leaning against the counter. “How do you feel about blind dates?”
I laughed, almost spilling my coffee. “Blind dates? Nathan, you know my schedule. I barely have time to eat, let alone date.”
Two professionals laughing and chatting | Source: Midjourney
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Nathan chuckled. “I know, but hear me out. My friend Jake is a great guy. He’s kind, funny, and I think you two would hit it off. What do you say?”
I paused, considering it. I hadn’t been on a date in ages, and the idea of meeting someone new was intriguing. Plus, Nathan seemed genuinely excited about it.
A couple enjoying drinks | Source: Pexels
“Okay, then,” I said, smiling. “You’ve convinced me. When’s this magical date happening?”
Nathan’s face lit up. “Really?? How about next Tuesday night? It’s the only evening that works for both of you!”
A doctor with his arms crossed | Source: Midjourney
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Next Tuesday. I mentally checked my calendar. It was one of the rare nights I didn’t have a late shift or any other commitments.
“Next Tuesday works for me,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
A female doctor talking to a male doctor | Source: Midjourney
Nathan grinned. “Great! I’ll set it up and text you the details. You won’t regret this, Addison,” he said with a wink.
“We’ll see that,” I laughed and finished my coffee quickly.
A smiling doctor | Source: Midjourney
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As I walked back to my office, I felt both excited and nervous. It had been so long since I had gone on a date.
My life had become a routine of work and more work, with little time for anything else. But maybe this was what I needed — a chance to step out of my comfort zone.
A doctor lost in her work | Source: Midjourney
The rest of the day flew by in a blur of patient consultations and medical charts. But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking about the upcoming date. Maybe, just maybe, this blind date with Jake would be the start of something new.
On Tuesday night, I arrived at the quaint restaurant Nathan had suggested.
Inside a restaurant | Source: Freepik
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It was cozy, with dim lighting and a warm ambiance that immediately put me at ease. As I walked in, I spotted a man sitting at a table near the window.
He looked up, smiled, and waved me over.
This must be Jake, I thought to myself.
A smiling man at a table | Source: Midjourney
“Addison?” he asked as I approached the table.
“Yes, and you must be Jake,” I replied with a smile.
A couple on a date | Source: Freepik
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We shook hands, and I took a seat. Almost immediately, the waitress came over to take our drink orders.
“I’ll have a glass of red wine, please,” I said.
“I’ll have the same,” Jake added.
Two people enjoying wine | Source: Freepik
As the waitress left, we started chatting. Jake was easy to talk to, and I felt my initial nervousness melt away.
“So, Nathan tells me you’re a neurologist,” he said, looking genuinely interested. “That must be a challenging job.”
A couple lost in each other’s eyes | Source: Freepik
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“It is,” I nodded. “But I love it. What about you? What do you do?”
“I’m a graphic designer,” Jake replied. “I work freelance, so my schedule is pretty flexible. It’s a lot of fun, especially when I get to work on creative projects.”
A person working on their laptop | Source: Pexels
Our drinks arrived, and we ordered appetizers — stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta. As we nibbled on the delicious food, we continued to talk about our lives, hobbies, and interests.
“I love hiking and photography,” Jake said, taking a sip of his wine. “There’s something about being in nature that’s so refreshing.”
A male photographer | Source: Pexels
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“I’ve always wanted to get into photography,” I said. “But I never seem to find the time. Maybe you could give me some tips?”
“I’d love to,” Jake said with a smile. “It’s all about finding the right light and angle.”
A woman with a camera | Source: Pexels
As the evening went on, I found myself more and more charmed by Jake. He was kind, funny, and easy to talk to.
We laughed a lot, and it felt like I had known him for much longer than just one evening.
A cozy couple | Source: Freepik
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As we moved on to our main course, Jake looked at me with a smile. “So, Addison, how about we ask each other some more personal questions to break the ice further?”
“Sure, that sounds good,” I said. “What do you want to know?”
Food | Source: Unsplash
Jake leaned in slightly. “How about your one-to-five-year plan? What are your goals?”
I took a moment to think. “Well, I hope to advance in my career as a neurologist,” I began.
A woman staring at her man | Source: Freepik
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“Maybe get promoted to a senior position. I also want to decorate my apartment; it feels too plain right now,” I continued. “I’ve been thinking about getting a pet, maybe a cat or a small dog. And I’d love to travel more, see new places, and experience different cultures. Oh, and I want to expand my bookshelf with my favorite novels. I love reading!”
Pile of books and cup on top | Source: Unsplash
“That sounds wonderful. You have a lot of exciting plans!” he grinned.
“What about you?” I asked, curious to hear about his future plans.
“I want to grow my freelance business,” Jake said. “Maybe open my own studio one day. I also love traveling, so I’d like to visit more countries. And, believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about getting a pet too. A dog, probably.”
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A dog | Source: Unsplash
We laughed at the coincidence, and it felt nice to find common ground!
“So, how do you feel about marriage and family?” Jake further asked as he sipped his wine.
And this is where it all went horribly wrong.
A family | Source: Unsplash
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“Honestly, I’d love to find a partner to share my life with,” I told him, “someone who understands and supports me. But marriage isn’t a necessity for me. If it happens, great, but if not, that’s okay too. As for children, I don’t see myself having any. For now. I’m happy with my career and personal goals.”
Jake leaned forward, looking serious. “What if you found the perfect guy? How long before you’d marry him?”
Two people smiling at each other and standing close | Source: Freepik
“Three years,” I said. “I believe in building a strong foundation. Six months to really get to know someone, a year of serious dating, and a year and a half of living together before considering engagement or marriage.”
Jake’s face changed, his friendly expression replaced by a frown. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Three years? That’s a long time. What if someone wants a quicker timeline?”
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An upset man | Source: Midjourney
I felt a knot forming in my stomach. “Well, uh, I think it’s important to take time to build a strong relationship. I’m pretty confident about my three-year-plan.”
Jake’s frown deepened, and he abruptly called the waitress. “Check, please,” he said curtly. She looked confused but quickly brought the bill.
A waitress | Source: Pexels
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“Jake, what’s wrong?” I asked as he stood up, but he didn’t bother to answer. He paid and walked out of the restaurant without a glance back.
I sat there, stunned and hurt. What just happened?
Later, at home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the evening.
A woman staring at her reflection | Source: Pexels
How could Jake just leave like that?
Deciding I needed answers, I messaged him.
I sent a selfie we took together and wrote, “Hey Jake, why did you leave so suddenly? I thought we were having a great time.”
A woman using her phone | Source: Unsplash
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A few minutes later, his reply came: “Don’t contact me again. You’re indecisive and not serious about what you want.”
Then, he blocked me.
I stared at my phone in disbelief. Was I really that off base?
The next day at work, I noticed Nathan giving me strange glances. Gathering my courage, I decided to confront him.
A man holding a phone in his hands | Source: Unsplash
“Nathan, what did Jake tell you? You know why he left, don’t you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Nathan looked uncomfortable and shifted on his feet. “You messed it up, Addy,” he said. “Jake… told me you were wasting his time. He wanted something serious. He was looking for marriage, and you… you weren’t the best person for him. Sorry, I gotta go.”
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A sad doc | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t believe it.
During my lunch break, I called my best friend, Sophie.
“Hey, Addison. How did the date go?” was the first thing she asked.
A cheerful woman on video call | Source: Pexels
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I sighed, feeling the weight of the evening pressing on me. “It started great, but then it ended terribly. Jake left abruptly after I talked about my three-year plan, and then he blocked me when I asked him why.”
Sophie’s eyes widened. “He did what? That’s ridiculous! What exactly happened?”
A sad young doctor | Source: Midjourney
I recounted every detail, my voice trembling slightly as I relived the evening. When I finished, Sophie shook her head. “Addison, being honest about your expectations is important. If he couldn’t handle that, it’s his loss.”
“I can’t stop wondering if my three-year rule is really that strange, Sophie,” I admitted, my voice breaking a bit.
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An anxious doctor | Source: Midjourney
“Not at all,” Sophie said firmly. “Everyone has their own timeline and needs. What matters is that you stay true to yourself. If he couldn’t appreciate that, he wasn’t the right guy for you.”
Her words wrapped around me like a comforting blanket. But it didn’t ease all my worries. Was I wrong to be upfront about my expectations? Should I have kept it to myself? All I know is that being honest about what I want is important, even if it means losing a date like Jake.
A doctor focused on her work | Source: Midjourney
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What would you have done?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one: Julia is excited to surprise her husband on his birthday, but everything changes when she hears an unexpected voice. Hiding in the living room, her heart pounds as her husband’s laughter mingles with another woman’s. What will Julia uncover?
A couple | Source: Unsplash
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Trace Adkins Reflects on Toby Keith’s Patriotic Legacy, Delivering an Emotional Rendition of ‘American Soldier’
Adkins said, quoting Keith, “Never apologize for being patriotic,” from the platform.
On July 29, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, Trace Adkins takes the stage at Bridgestone Arena. Image courtesy of Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
In the two-hour NBC program Toby Keith: American Icon, Trace Adkins paid a moving homage to Toby Keith, recalling their many years of traveling together and the significant influence Keith had via his patriotism.
Adkins was one of the few artists that really know Toby Keith and the man behind the scenes, having been friends with Keith for many years and going on tours with. Adkins paused to remember the poignant message that Keith conveyed at the conclusion of each of his live performances before giving an incredibly emotional and beautiful rendition of “American Solider” in honor of Keith and his dedication to the military.
“I’ve known Toby for a very long time, and we did a lot of gigs together while on multiple tours together. I seem to recall that at the end of each performance he gave, he would always say, “Never apologize for being patriotic.” Every night, he said that, Adkins noted. And since, my God, he really did believe that, I realized while he was saying it that it was both a challenge to the rest of us and a window into Toby Keith’s personality.
Keith lived what he preached, and Adkins praised him for it. Keith had undertaken 11 USO Tours, performing in front of 256,000 soldiers and military families in 18 nations at over 285 engagements.
“He had a deep-rooted love and respect for the men and women who have served this country.” It was real, authentic, and meaningful. With a rich, baritone voice, he remarked, “I always respected him so much for that.” “Toby is someone I could talk about all night, but for now I’ll just say that I’m glad I got to know him and call him a friend. We miss you, Toby. Thank you.
Trace Adkins performed “American Solider” in a terrifying manner a short while later. On the screen behind him, pictures of Toby Keith and his numerous USO Tours displayed during his performance. Toby Keith: American Icon gave a truly remarkable performance, and it was undoubtedly an emotional time.
Written by Keith and Chuck Cannon, “American Solider” was published in November 2003. It can be found on the album Hi Shock’n Y’all and has an RIAA Platinum certification.
Among the many famous country musicians that gave their all to pay tribute to the late Toby Keith was Trace Adkins. Priscilla Block, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Scotty Emerick, Brett Favre, Brantley Gilbert, Riley Green, HARDY, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Krystal Keith, Ella Langley, Mac McAnally, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Leanne Morgan, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Clay Walker, and Lainey Wilson were among the performers and special guests on the two-hour special.
The special featured a variety of musical performances that showcased Keith’s amazing songwriting and music, but it also emphasized his kindness and generosity by supporting The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Families from both groups seemed to tell the stories of how they were helped and supported when things were really hard.
NBC broadcast Toby Keith: American Icon on Wednesday, August 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The next day, Peacock will offer the episode for streaming.
On February 5, 2024, the legendary country music performer Toby Keith departed from this life due to stomach cancer. He had an astounding 32 No. 1 hits over his career and sold an astounding 40 million albums.
Given that he has achieved a chart-topping hit for 20 years running, including “How Do You Like Me Now?!,” “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” “I Love This Bar,” “Beer For My Horses,” and “As Good As I Once Was,” it should come as no surprise that he is considered one of country music’s biggest hitmakers.
In addition to being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (after being admitted into the all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015), he has been awarded the National Medal of Arts and the prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award by the Academy of Country Music.
The Oklahoma native won three BMI Country Songwriter of the Year awards over his career in addition to the BMI Icon Award. In 2006, his popular song “As Good As I Once Was” won BMI’s Country Song of the Year.
To date, Toby Keith’s music has received 100 million terrestrial radio spins and over 10 billion streaming.
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