Wonderful story! I, too, have thought often about what sociologists call the "strength of weak ties" and how much richer my daily retirement life is when I am open to the random interactions at the grocery store, doctor's office, etc.

Just yesterday, while I was waiting with another pickleball player I didn't know very well for others to show up, we ended up bonding over the facts that we both read physical books and carry pencil and paper in our cars. She hadn't been, in my perception, my biggest fan during the games, but now we exchanged numbers and made a connection. It made my day