A few years ago, I was on the A Train in Brooklyn. The subway pulled into Hoyt-Schermerhorn, and as I clung for dear life to the railing, I locked eyes with a cute stranger through the window. He was a hipster, maybe six feet tall, with neat black hair and wire-frame glasses. I looked down at my phone, embarrassed to have been caught admiring his face, before glancing back up. He was still staring at me. A shiver of delight ran up my spine.
I knew we’d never properly meet — he was clearly waiting for the C train, as he didn’t board when the doors opened — and that gave me the confidence to give him a big smile. I waved to him through the window, and he grinned and waved back. Bless that beautiful man, he had dimples when he smiled. We kept smiling at each other as the train left the station and whisked us apart again, back to the mundanity of our normal lives.
You don’t have to be a public transit nerd to find the subway oddly romantic. There’s something about the routine hum of the train and how it brings you into the orbit of the lives of strangers. The love of your life could walk through those doors any minute.
This week’s Meet Cute rom-coms take place over the course of a busy day in Chicago, as three very different couples connect on the L. Pop in your headphones and get ready to board — just don’t get so lost in the story that you miss your stop.
Meet Cute Presents: The Train Car
Flight attendant Kate meets party-boy Jake on an empty train car to O’Hare. When their train malfunctions and the two are stuck alone in the dark, they discover that their differences might just make them the perfect match.
Press play on the Blue Line.
Struggling musician Tierney meets a mysterious stranger named Ellis while she busks on the train platform. Instead of a tip, he might give her something more valuable: her big break.
Don’t miss your stop on the Red Line.
Two chefs, one vegan and one omnivore, fight over the last portobello at the farmer's market. On the train back to their respective restaurants, they realize they’re… neighbors?
Tune in for love on the Green Line.
Bonus story! The lunch line for the Halal Guys food truck is a big commitment. Two strangers bond over their love of food during the wait.
Order a beef gyro sandwich and listen to Lunch Hour.
🎧 TUNE IN 🎧
Via the links below, or search for “Meet Cute” wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to keep up with new releases and throw us a FIVE STAR rating (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟) if you’re listening on Apple. 💖
Apple • Spotify • Google • Stitcher • SoundCloud • iHeart
🎬 Plus a Stealing Scene 🎬
Shoshanna and Ray may not have stayed together on HBO Girls, but their big breakthrough conversation while waiting for the L train at Bedford is unforgettable.
👫🏿 Do you have an incredible real-life meet cute story? We want to hear it! 👭🏿
We’re planning our next series of IRL Meet Cutes based on actual couples. If you think your relationship would make a great rom-com, submit your story here. We’ll follow up if you’re a great fit.
✏️ Writer’s Spotlight: Lilliana Winkworth 📓
What inspired your Meet Cute series, “The Train Car”?
Having lived in Chicago for six years, I was inspired by the L train and the characters of the city each train line could capture. At 4 am on the Blue Line, you could have a still drunk Wicker Park bro sitting next to a flight attendant just starting her day. I love putting characters that seemingly have nothing in common in the same space and seeing what can happen. The shared experience of being human will always form some kind of connection, and in my writing - usually a humorous one.
What was it like to write a rom-com for audio that couldn't be more than 15 minutes long?
It was a challenge! In my personal life, I am not a smooth operator when it comes to romance. It takes me days - honestly weeks - to even get someone's phone number (and even longer to actually text a 'what's up'.) In writing, I felt myself leaning on my deep love of classic rom-coms to help my characters take risks that I personally would never take to help them along with their 15-minute romantic journey.
What's your favorite rom-com?
The early 2000s were full of so many gems featuring every possible version of Matthew McConaughey, but when it comes to my ultimate favorite I think I'd have to go with ThePhiladelphia Story. Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and her amazing pants - what more could you need?
Where can folks read more of your work?
If you're in need for some distraction in the form of giggles, my comedy writing partner, Jeremy Sender, and I have comedy sketches, an original web series, and a new short that just wrapped post-production. Our work can be found on our site, sendandwink.com, and on Instagram @sendandwink.
🎶 Love Song of the Week 💞
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