<P> The narrator is reunited with an old flame at a grocery store on a snowy Christmas Eve . She doesn't recognize him at first glance and when the two reach to embrace, she drops her purse causing them to laugh until they cry . They eventually decide to have a drink somewhere, but are unable to find any open bar . Settling on a six - pack purchased at a liquor store, they proceed to drink it in her car while they talk . </P> <P> The pair toast innocence of the past as well as the present . The subsequent verse describes the two pushing through their initial awkwardness and discussing their current lives . The lover went on to marry an architect and is seemingly content with her life, though she married for security instead of love . The narrator then says that as a musician he loves performing but hates touring . </P> <P> After a third toast, the conversation runs its course . They exchange their goodbyes and the woman kisses him before he gets out of the car . As she drives away, the narrator contemplates the good times they'd had long ago . </P> <P> The melody is based on the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky and ends with a soprano saxophone solo by Michael Brecker based on the melody from the original "Auld Lang Syne". </P>

Dan fogelberg met my old lover in the grocery store