He met her at a party. She was outstanding; many guys were after her, but nobody paid any attention to him. After the party, he invited her for coffee. She was surprised. So as not to appear rude, she went along.
As they sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable. Suddenly, he asked the waiter, “Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee.”
They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came, he put it in his coffee and drank. Curious, she asked, “Why salt with coffee?” He explained, “When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea. I liked playing in the sea ... I could feel its taste salty, like salty coffee. Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there.”
She was deeply touched. A man who can admit that he's homesick must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible.
She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.
They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements. He was tolerant, kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee!
So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it.
After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:
My dearest, please forgive my life－long lie． Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous I asked for salt instead of sugar．
It was hard for me to ask for a change, so I just went ahead． I never thought that we would hit it off1． Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything．
Sweetheart, I don＇t exactly like salty coffee． But as it mattered so much to you, I＇ve learnt to enjoy it． Having you with me was my greatest happiness． If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means that I have to drink salty coffee for the rest of my life．
他在晚会上遇见了她。她很出众， 有很多男孩追求，但没有人注意到他。晚会结束后，他邀请她去喝咖啡，她很吃惊。但为了不至于失礼，她去了。
他们坐在一家精致的咖啡店里，他很紧张，一句话也说不出来，她感到很不舒服。突然，他叫来服务生说：“请给我一些盐，我想放在咖啡里。”
他们盯着他， 他脸红了。盐端上来了，他放了一些在咖啡里，开始喝。她好奇地问：“为什么加盐？”他解释说：“我小时候住在海边，我喜欢在海里玩，我能感觉到它的咸味，就像咸咖啡。现在每当我喝咖啡时我就想起我的童年和故乡。我想念它，想念现在还住在那儿的爸爸妈妈。”
她被深深感动了。一个想家的男人一定很爱家人，很在乎家，他一定很有责任感。
她也谈到了她遥远的家乡、她的童年和家庭。就这样，他们开始恋爱了。
他们继续约会，她发现他符合她所有的标准和要求。他很宽容、善良、热诚、细心。想想看，如果不是一杯咸咖啡，她今生可能都错过他了。
他们结婚了，生活很幸福。每一次她给他煮咖啡都要放些盐，因为他喜欢。
40年后，他去世了，给她留了一封信：
亲爱的，请原谅我瞒了你一生的谎言。还记得我们第一次约会吗？我很紧张，本来我想要糖的，却要了盐。
要另外改变对我来说太难了，于是我将错就错地要了盐，我从没想到我们会相处得那么好。很多次，我想告诉你真相，但我担心说出来后一切都会被破坏。
亲爱的，我其实并不喜欢咸咖啡，但是既然那对你来说那么重要，我学会了去享用它。和你在一起是我最大的幸福。如果我能再活一次，我希望我们还能在一起，即使那意味着我的余生都必须喝咸咖啡。
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1． hit it off (with sb．) 与人相处和睦；关系良好