I teach Spinning (i.e., group cycling) at the local Y. I’ve been told that I play good music during my classes–generally a mix of indie rock, retro and classic R&B, the occasional big band or jazz tune. About a year ago, a guy we’ll call R. started taking my class. He’s in his early 50s, a very kind person whom I especially like because he’ll take classes or do things that challenge him or take him out of his comfort zone. One day, I included the song “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” by Cake in a class. R. asked me afterward who did the song. He really liked the group. I used “Rock and Roll Lifestyle” in a class a few months later and he asked, “Is this Cake?” I said it was, and he said, “Great song.” So I made him a fan. Fast forward a few more months. He came into the Y early one morning and said, “Hey, can we go on a date?”

I said, “Sure, if your wife and my husband don’t mind.”

He replied that Cake was playing in Cleveland on May 17. I started jumping up and down and he actually jumped up and down one or twice (or at least bobbled happily). Neither of our spouses wanted to go, so last night we went on our merry way to see Cake at the Masonic Auditorium in downtown Cleveland. It was great. Music can bring unlikely people together in wonderful ways. Don’t you just love that?