Ah, love. On the subway, no less. Okay, so, I was boarding the 6 train heading north out of Astor Place the other day when a couple entered the subway and sat directly across from me. I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t stop my eyes from flirting toward their direction every now and then.

I pretended to read my book.

He was probably in his mid-20s. White. Tall. Brown hair, blue eyes. Slender. Attractive. He was dressed in an untucked, button down blue shirt and a pair of freshly ironed khakis. She was short. Round. Asian. Wearing a skimpy white sundress with flowers on it, she had long black hair that she wrapped into a loosely tied ponytail that was subsequently pinned up to into a messy bun to keep the heat away from her bare back.

I continued to pretend to read my book. But, I darted my eyes up every few seconds to see how they were doing. I didn’t want to watch, but I could stop looking at them. They were just so … sweet.

She was clearly upset about something, and she was quietly crying. As she used an old tissue to wipe tears from her face, he put his arm around her and whispered something very softly directly into her ear. In response, she gently placed her left hand on his right thigh–the part right above the knee — and gave it a tender squeeze. And, that’s exactly where I kept my glance for much longer than I probably should have.

Her hand.

The way that she touched his knee wasn’t in any way sexual. And, quite frankly, it’s not even something that I would have especially noticed were it not for the fact that they were sitting directly in front of me. But, as it were, there I was. Looking across the aisle at her hand.

The manner in which her hand graced his knee was just the kind of insignificant touch that reminds me, once again, that we’re all human and we need affection. It’s not even just about the sex. I mean, yeah, sure, who *doesn’t* like to get laid on a regular basis?? But, that’s not my point. For a brief moment … as I was watched that guy comfort his crying girlfriend … as I looked at her hand on his knee … I felt a little sad.

And, lonely.

I raised my book a few inches closer to my face, and I didn’t look at the couple again for the rest of my journey on the 6 train. A few moments later, my fellow subway riders and I came to a stop at Grand Central terminal. I opened my purse, stuck my book inside, stood up, and turned to face the opening doors.

As I exited the subway and walked up the stairs leading to the streets of Manhattan, I wondered if I should take a break from the dating world for a moment. Maybe I need to focus on myself? Maybe I need another vacation? Maybe I need to stop thinking, “strategizing”, planning, wondering and maneuvering my way throughout the dating world so much.

Maybe it’s best to just let the chips fall as they may.

(NOTE: Do you read me over at Nerve mag? Remember to check me out over there sometime if you haven’t already. This post is reprinted / reposted from there. )