My boyfriend and I went to an upscale Italian restaurant for our anniversary—and a case of mistaken identity changed my career.
After complimentary appetizers, expensive wine, ravioli, and dessert, we discovered the staff had mistaken us for the food bloggers behind Forks and Fireplaces. We enjoyed dinner, but guilt led me to email the restaurant the next morning. The manager reassured me that the real bloggers had canceled and the food was already prepared.
Three weeks later, Lila, one of the bloggers, contacted me. Amused by the mix-up, she encouraged me to write about it. My story appeared on her blog, caught a lifestyle editor’s attention, and led to a monthly column, then a full-time writing job.
Months later, the restaurant invited us back for “A Night of Serendipity.” This time, they knew us. My boyfriend was now my fiancé, and my writing eventually led to a book deal—all because one unexpected dinner inspired an honest email.
