This week marks the 10th anniversary of my first trivia night at Station 2, a seemingly mundane event that profoundly changed my life. This milestone offers a perfect moment to reflect on why trivia holds such a special place in my heart.

Growing up, I was the kid who relished game shows and Trivial Pursuit sessions with my family—even despite an amusing mispronunciation incident at age 7 or 8 that I still hear about. My fascination with what many might consider “useless” information has always occupied a significant portion of my mind. However, it wasn’t until a pivotal moment in 2014 that trivia took on a deeper meaning.

After separating from my wife in 2007, I found myself in a depressive state, leading a mostly reclusive life with my pets, Katie and Askew, as my primary company. This all changed one evening when a casual conversation with my neighbor, Ryan, veered into our shared love for trivia. On his invitation, I stepped out of my comfort zone to join him and his girlfriend, Jenna, at Station 2 for trivia night—a decision that set the course for the next decade of my life.

Contrary to my fears, that first night was neither uncomfortable nor disappointing. Instead, it sparked joy and a sense of belonging I hadn’t felt in years. Ryan and Jenna quickly became close friends, and trivia nights became a weekly ritual. As our friendship deepened, so did my connections with others in the community, One of the most pivotal connections was with Josh, the manager, bartender, and server at Station 2, who soon became my best friend and, to me anyway, family. Our shared interests and past experiences, despite never crossing paths before, laid the foundation for a friendship that would significantly shape my future.

Ryan, Jenna, Josh, and Myself (featuring Johey)…The Nobodys.

Our trivia team’s success led us to the National Trivia League Finals in Las Vegas, a testament to our collective knowledge and camaraderie. Even as life’s circumstances evolved, with Ryan and Jenna moving away, I maintained my newfound semi-extroversion, forging new friendships and eventually taking on the role of trivia host at Station 2 and later at Conch Republic, TBC, Daddio’s, the Moose Lodge, and PBR in the Fan. This role allowed me to embrace my love for trivia in a new dimension.

Some Station 2 winners and hosting moments.

Around the time that I started hosting trivia, Josh, ever the connector, inadvertently set the stage for me to meet the love of my life. One Saturday, after a long double shift at Conch Republic, I was meeting Josh at Honey Whytes for a much-needed drink. Despite my exhaustion and slight irritation from a last-minute text from Josh saying he’d brought along a friend, that evening took an unexpected turn. This friend was Melissa, a longtime friend of Josh who, coincidentally, had replaced me at the Taphouse years before. Richmond’s small-town vibe was in full effect. Initially, my mood might not have been the most welcoming, but Melissa’s presence quickly shifted that. Despite my gruff exterior that night, I found myself genuinely intrigued by her. As Josh and I walked her back to her apartment, I couldn’t help but express my interest in Melissa to him. Josh, the matchmaker, seized the opportunity to engineer future meetings between us. By our third encounter, I was completely taken by her. My initial impression, thankfully, didn’t deter Melissa, and from then on, we’ve been inseparable. Melissa has become the highlight of my days, a constant source of joy and love. I am so lucky to have her in my life and I am not sure that I will ever be able to fully show or express how she make me feel, but I will definitely keep trying.

Melissa and I at Conch Republic…one of the homes of trivia.

A fun trivia side-story involves Melissa and how she inadvertently inspired a  trivia night tradition. The first time she attended trivia, and before we began dating, she enthusiastically responded to my introduction with a loud “Hi Jon!” right after I greeted the crowd with, “My name is Jon, Hi.” The next week, her teammates, teasing her a little over the incident, echoed the greeting. This playful jest continued the following week, with even more people joining in. Before long, this spontaneous exchange evolved into a trivia night ritual. Now, the collective shout of “Hi Jon!” marks the start of every trivia show, becoming an integral part of my identity as the host.

Reflecting on the past decade, it’s clear that trivia was the catalyst for a remarkable journey of personal growth, community building, and love. From solitary nights to hosting multiple trivia shows and cherishing the company of dear friends and a loving partner, trivia has been at the heart of my transformation.

As I celebrate this 10-year trivia anniversary, I’m reminded of the profound impact that seemingly simple decisions can have on our lives. Trivia, for me, is more than a game. It’s a vehicle for connection, discovery, and joy. It has given me a community, a job that I love doing, and a companion, transforming my world in ways I never could have imagined.

All because of trivia.