Story by Cheryl Kaplan (BBO: brocdoc)

When COVID shut down our beloved bridge center, Essex Bridge Club in Livingston, New Jersey, our director tried to match us with BBO partners, carefully considering bridge ability. I was paired with Eileen, a brilliant woman who, like me, was fairly new to the game. We lived about 30 minutes from each other.

We played weekly and always called each other after our online matches to review every board in great detail. Eileen was an educator and always wanted to find "the lesson." What did we do wrong? What did we do right? Mostly, what did we do wrong?

Our post-match phone calls soon expanded beyond bridge. We learned about each other's interests and lives. We're both swimmers! We both love to walk! We chatted about our children, our jobs, our spouses, and our childhoods, often discovering how much we had in common.

With K-95 masks donned, we met halfway for walks around the town reservoir so we could see each other face-to-face while staying safe. Those walks, along with our frequent BBO games, turned into a beautiful friendship.

Eileen became my confidante and trusted friend, helping me through my divorce. When quarantine restrictions eased, we met for lunches, dinners, and swimming outings. I was included in her holiday celebrations and got to know her extended family. I was invited to spend weekends at her summer home and, through her, came to know and love many of her summer friends as well.

Eileen and her husband were my "plus-one"—or rather, "plus-two"—at my daughter's wedding.

More than six years later, our friendship remains strong. It's one of the deepest connections I've ever made, all thanks to a bridge director's knack for matching me with another player.

The photo below was taken on a freezing cold day when we walked around the reservoir. Besides the geese, we were the only two people on the path. We congratulated ourselves on being so hardy!