Sweet Treat Destiny

I'm not really one to believe in things being "meant to be." I tend to follow a more "build your own adventure" philosophy to life. Tonight, however, I had to question that philosophy.

This afternoon I had a craving for a sweet treat. I justified it to myself by noting that I had gone running the night before and even had a salad for lunch. But most of all, it was Friday, dammit, and I deserved a sweet treat. So I withdrew a dollar from my wallet and headed down the hallway to survey the vending machine goods.

Twix...Payday...cookies...fruit snacks...animal crackers...Snickers...Pop Tarts.............. Twix. Yes, definitely Twix.

The vending machine ate my dollar as I planned to eat my Twix - quickly and appreciatively. I hit the buttons to select my Twix, but as I did, I noticed that my Twix was a little farther back in the spiral than it probably should be...and the neighboring M&Ms were encroaching on my Twix's personal space.

I quickly made the decision that if my Twix held on for dear life to the M&Ms, rather than falling to the fate of my tummy, I would take it as a sign that I should not negate my good behavior of running and salad eating. I would let the Twix hang out, and I would neither shake the machine nor hunt down another dollar to free my Twix with a second. If I didn't need one, I certainly didn't need two.

Sure enough, my Friday afternoon was sans Twix bar. I was a little disappointed, but proud of my will power.

On my way to music practice this evening, however, that will power was gone. I simply could not shake my craving for a sweet treat. I decided I would grant myself the indulgence of a McDonald's chocolate milkshake after practice. I was oh so excited and content with this decision, and couldn't wait for my post-practice shake.

As arrived at the golden arches and pulled into the drive-thru, I noticed some signs for fancy new shakes. I still planned on getting the reliable and classic chocolate, but the marketing for these other shakes was enough to make me at least *look* at the menu.

My jaw dropped, as I was sure my eyes were deceiving me. Could it be?

"May I take you order?" I heard from the speaker.

I paused, then in a hushed voice asked, ".....do you still have... Shamrock Shakes?!?" as I longed for the neon green deliciousness staring back at me from the menu.

"Yes, we do."

Incredible. On April 8th. After I had failed miserably by watching March come and go without having properly celebrated this non-Irish tradition of the Shamrock Shake.

"May I have a medium please?!"

My happy taste buds and I smiled the whole way home.